Corporate Sells Wichita And Derby Smashburgers

The Wichita Eagle:

The Smashburger restaurants in Wichita and Derby have changed from corporate-owned stores to franchisee-owned ones.

“We weren’t operating them there as well as we could corporately,” says Smashburger chairman and CEO David Prokupek. “They weren’t performing up to our standards.”

Kansas City franchisee Ron Chaulk is the new owner.

Chaulk grew up in Salina and is a Wichita State University graduate.

“I have a little bit closer connection with the community and the city,” Chaulk says. “We both agreed that I might be able to have a little bit more luck getting things going in the right direction.”

Chaulk owns six Smashburgers counting the ones here.