Smashburger uses market research to determine where to open new restaurants, and the restaurant has favored opening new locations next to many major college campuses in the United States, sometimes opening shops directly on campus which are run by concessionaire companies like Compass Group and Aramark.
It has also sought to open locations in casinos, in particular signing agreements in casinos in Las Vegas and in Oklahoma.
It has also opened locations in high-traffic airports as well, partnering with HMSHost.
A typical Smashburger location sees $3,000 to $5,000 in revenue during a mealtime rush, but its highest-volume restaurants can see $3 million to $5 million a year in sales.

Ryan integrated ambiance, decor and music as a part of a larger customer experience.
Restaurants are designed with specific decor, a prominently bright red color scheme, and customer flow.
But, the restaurant does not have a model footprint and so each location can be tailored to the available space.
Restaurant interiors are designed in a modern style with indirect lighting and decorated with locally-produced photo murals.
Customers order at a central counter and food is brought to them in stainless steel baskets.
They are given silverware to eat with in place of plasticware.
Restaurants are designed with a social feel in mind, and feature high tables and low tables, booths, and an outdoor patio.

The company has a tailored music soundtrack for restaurants as well.
An internal team designed and built the initial soundtracks  around the restaurant's "Smash, sizzle, savor" theme.
As Smashburger began to grow, management brought in outside consultants in 2011 to develop a new program for music that would better fit a "modern, high-energy" restaurant concept, though it retains a family-friendly vibe.
Music in restaurants was subsequently designed with a target audience of 32 years old, avoiding overly bubblegum or electronic music and rooted in contemporary pop, allowing its sound track to remain mainstream but allowing for older classics as well as new and emerging international music.
International locations feature an American-inspired soundtrack as well.

The company also has employee incentives for stores it owns directly which it credits with boosting morale, including paying $9 an hour in 2011, above the then-minimum wage of $7.25.
Bonuses are awarded for certain milestones as well.
Cooks are awarded extra money for filling orders in under six minutes, while managers are given bonuses for meeting monthly revenue goals and gaining positive customer reviews.
Smashburger uses market research to determine where to open new restaurants, and the restaurant has favored opening new locations next to many major college campuses in the United States, sometimes opening shops directly on campus which are run by concessionaire companies like Compass Group and Aramark. It has also sought to open locations in casinos, in particular signing agreements in casinos in Las Vegas and in Oklahoma. It has also opened locations in high-traffic airports as well, partnering with HMSHost. A typical Smashburger location sees $3,000 to $5,000 in revenue during a mealtime rush, but its highest-volume restaurants can see $3 million to $5 million a year in sales.
Ryan integrated ambiance, decor and music as a part of a larger customer experience. Restaurants are designed with specific decor, a prominently bright red color scheme, and customer flow. But, the restaurant does not have a model footprint and so each location can be tailored to the available space. Restaurant interiors are designed in a modern style with indirect lighting and decorated with locally-produced photo murals. Customers order at a central counter and food is brought to them in stainless steel baskets. They are given silverware to eat with in place of plasticware. Restaurants are designed with a social feel in mind, and feature high tables and low tables, booths, and an outdoor patio.
The company has a tailored music soundtrack for restaurants as well. An internal team designed and built the initial soundtracks  around the restaurant's "Smash, sizzle, savor" theme. As Smashburger began to grow, management brought in outside consultants in 2011 to develop a new program for music that would better fit a "modern, high-energy" restaurant concept, though it retains a family-friendly vibe. Music in restaurants was subsequently designed with a target audience of 32 years old, avoiding overly bubblegum or electronic music and rooted in contemporary pop, allowing its sound track to remain mainstream but allowing for older classics as well as new and emerging international music. International locations feature an American-inspired soundtrack as well.
The company also has employee incentives for stores it owns directly which it credits with boosting morale, including paying $9 an hour in 2011, above the then-minimum wage of $7.25. Bonuses are awarded for certain milestones as well. Cooks are awarded extra money for filling orders in under six minutes, while managers are given bonuses for meeting monthly revenue goals and gaining positive customer reviews.
Smashburger