Smashburger announced the signing of an agreement with existing franchisee, Sachi Foods, LLC, to expand their partnership. Led by Farhana Ali, the deal awards the group two Salt Lake City-based restaurants, growing its portfolio to 15 operating locations between the United States of America and Costa Rica. The announcement comes on the heels of Smashburger’s appointment of Denise Nelsen to Chief Executive Officer and advances the brand’s franchise development efforts as it sets its sights on both domestic and international growth.
“It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Smashburger family as we gear up to accelerate our global expansion, and we are fortunate to have incredible franchisees, like Farhana, throughout our network that are eager to grow their footprint,” says Denise Nelsen, Chief Executive Officer of Smashburger. “Farhana’s passion for our brand, and deep understanding of the restaurant industry, has made her the perfect partner and we look forward to seeing her achieve great success at her new locations in Salt Lake City.”
After immigrating to the United States from India, Farhana Ali immersed herself in the intricacies of the restaurant industry. Years of learning and hard work culminated in her bold leap into franchise ownership, leading to the formation of Sachi Foods, LLC. In 2021, she made her mark by signing her first franchise development agreement with Smashburger.
Ali’s impressive portfolio spans 45 restaurants, including three Smashburger locations in Missouri, six in Minnesota, four in Costa Rica, and two in Salt Lake City. She also manages several Church’s Texas Chicken restaurants in Kansas City, MO, and Kansas. Her passion for teaching and coaching has propelled her to success as a franchisee and restaurant owner.
From humble beginnings to a thriving business empire, Farhana Ali’s story exemplifies determination, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.
“When I was first introduced to Smashburger, I was immediately impressed with the flavor and overall freshness of the product. This, paired with the brand’s prioritization of an elevated customer experience made the franchise opportunity extremely attractive, and as we open more restaurants, we continue to see how strongly the concept resonates with guests,” says Ali. “There’s no question that we are proud to be Smashburger franchisees, and we couldn’t be more excited to have locations in Salt Lake City.”
Now open Sunday through Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., the two restaurants are located at 3700 North Thanksgiving Way, Suite C, in Lehi, Utah and 1028 E. 2100 South #2 in Salt Lake City.
Founded in 2007 in Denver, Colorado, Smashburger is a better-burger brand known for its innovative approach to crafting delicious and high-quality burgers. From the way the burgers are cooked, to the unique flavors they offer, Smashburger is constantly pushing the boundaries of what a burger can be. With over 230 locations, across 34 states and seven countries, Smashburger is the quickest fast casual concept to hit the 200-restaurant milestone and has sustained consistent growth due to its ongoing brand innovation which helps drive store profitability and build guest loyalty.
