I was a bit torn myself -- I liked the place, sure, but was rather on the fence about the whole enterprise. Then, after getting hipped to the massive expansion plans Smashburger has planned for the coming year (120 stores by the end of 2010), I decided it was time to have a little chat with the man behind the phenomenon: food scientist and R&D wonderboy Tom Ryan. In the paper this week, you can read all about the magic behind Smashburger and a little bit about the chain's plans for the future. And keep an eye on this space over the next few days for an extended version of that same interview, which I'll post after the paper hits the streets.
It's an interesting story, kids. And with the plans that Ryan has, there's a good chance that his baby, Smashburger, might really be the Next Big Thing.