Smashburger signs lucrative deal with local franchisee

Jiandong “Peter” Xu plans to open 15 Gulf Coast restaurants over the next six years.

By Business Observer Staff
| 3:40 p.m. August 23, 2022
| 2 Free Articles Remaining!

One of Smashburger's most prominent franchisees has signed a development deal for 15 new Gulf Coast restaurants over the next six years. (Photo courtesy of Celeste Lindell/Wikimedia)

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

Smashburger, a Denver-based fast-casual restaurant chain, has inked an agreement with Tampa franchisee Jiandong “Peter” Xu that will bring 15 new Smashburger locations to the Gulf Coast over the next six years.

Xu, according to a news release, operates two Smashburger restaurants in Tampa. The new locations will be in Charlotte, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.

“I’m thrilled to take this next step in my journey with Smashburger,” Xu states in the release. “It’s an exciting concept that has elevated fast-casual dining with the highest-quality food served in a fun, engaging atmosphere. I love being part of the Smashburger brand, and I can’t wait to get started bringing more of it to the Tampa area.”

Xu, who does business as TLC Gourmet Food International, is one of Smashburger’s most prominent franchisees. In addition to the Tampa restaurants, he owns five Smashburgers in the Philadelphia area and recently signed a development agreement for three more in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.

Founded in 2007, Smashburger has 236 corporate and franchise restaurants in 36 states and eight countries.