Better Burger Restaurant Expands Hometown Footprint through Midfield Concession Enterprises with Two Non-Traditional Locations
Smashburger, the rapidly expanding better burger restaurant known for its fresh, smashed to order burgers, has announced plans to open two new locations at Denver International Airport (DEN) through its new franchisee, Midfield Concession Enterprises (MCE-DIA LLC). MCE received approval on the proposed Smashburger restaurants from the Denver City Council and Mayor Michael Hancock on Monday, March 14. The restaurants are expected to open in late 2016 and early 2017.
The new full-service Smashburger restaurants will occupy the 3,573 and 2,317 square foot spaces on concourses B and C that currently house Lefty’s Mile High Bar and Grill, and Lefty’s Front Range Grill. MCE will offer jobs to the 85 employees impacted by the closure of the Lefty’s restaurants. The new Smashburger locations will feature a full bar and a breakfast menu, in addition to Smashburger’s traditional lunch and dinner offerings.
“We are excited for our relationship with MCE-DIA LLC and for MCE to bring Smashburger’s better burgers to our hometown airport for the first time,” commented Rick Schaden, Smashburger Co-Founder and Chairman. “As we continue our rapid expansion of restaurants in non-traditional spaces like airports and casino locations, we look forward to the opening of the first Denver airport location and giving travelers the opportunity to a taste local Denver flavors as they come and go from our hometown.”
These openings serve as a milestone for Denver based Smashburger, and represent the brand’s first airport locations in Colorado. Both restaurants will feature a full bar with 10 beers on tap, including a selection of local craft beers from Colorado breweries and a variety of hand-crafted cocktails.
“We’re excited to work with the Smashburger brand, which has established itself as a well-known burger concept with strong roots in the Denver market,” commented Samir Mashni, Vice-President of Midfield Concession (MCE-DIA LLC). “This was a big win for the team and we are grateful for the support of the Smashburger team which welcomed us into their restaurant family for this project. We are thrilled to bring these great brands and our award-winning designs and customer focused programs to Denver International Airport.”
The MCE-DIA LLC proposal is a 10-year contract, and will also bring Tom’s Urban, a restaurant brand developed and operated by Consumer Concept Group which began in 2013 with the vision and funding of Rick Schaden, and new brewery, Tivoli, into the Westin Denver International Airport Hotel. The new deal is the largest food and beverage contract that DIA has ever awarded.
The DEN project continues Smashburger’s strategy to bring the brand to non-traditional locations from travel sites to college campuses. Smashburger currently operates in 10 airport locations across the globe with several additional locations coming soon.
Smashburger is a leading fast casual “better burger” restaurant known for its fresh never frozen, 100% Certified Angus Beef burgers that are smashed on the grill to sear in the juices, creating an upscale quality burger packed with flavor and served at a great value. In addition to burgers, Smashburger offers grilled or crispy chicken sandwiches, fresh salads, signature side items such as Haystack onions and Veggie Frites, and hand-spun Haagen-Dazs shakes. On each market menu, Smashburger offers locally inspired items like the regional burger, as well as regional sides and local craft beer. Smashburger began in 2007 with the vision of Rick Schaden and funding by Consumer Capital Partners – the private equity firm that Rick and his father Riichard own. There are currently over 360corporate and franchise restaurants operating in 35 states and seven countries. To learn more, visit www.smashburger.com
Midfield Concession Enterprises is an award-winning and premier food and beverage service operator delivering world-class quality food, management and customer service to airplane travelers across the country. MCE has 45+ restaurants located in 10 airports including: Denver International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, Dulles International Airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Indianapolis International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport and San Francisco International Airport. MCE is highly regarded as a strong operator because of its consistent ability to offer unique brands, superior service and quality foods.
