Can You Franchise Smashburger in the Philippines? Not Yet
Smashburger has been getting attention lately thanks to Jollibee Foods Corporation’s (JFC) push to grow the brand internationally. But if you’re picturing a Smashburger franchise here in the Philippines, we need to walk that back a bit, the brand isn’t currently operating or franchising here.
Behind the Brand
Smashburger is a Denver, Colorado-based casual burger chain, best known for its smashed-patty cooking method. JFC fully acquired Smashburger in 2018, making it part of the Jollibee Group’s international portfolio alongside other North American and international brands.
Why There’s No Philippine Franchise (Yet)
JFC’s recent Smashburger expansion news has centered on the brand’s home market, new stores in the US, including non-traditional formats like airports and university locations. As of this writing, Smashburger does not have a retail presence or a local franchising program in the Philippines. JFC’s public statements about Smashburger’s “asset-light growth strategy” refer to its international portfolio broadly, but the actual expansion activity reported so far is US-focused.
In short: there’s no Philippine Smashburger to franchise right now, so any “how to franchise Smashburger in the Philippines” claims you might see elsewhere are getting ahead of where the brand actually is.
What You Can Do Instead
If you like the smash-burger format and want to get into the Philippine burger category now, here are real, currently franchisable options:
- Burger Machine, one of the most established local burger cart franchises, with a much lower entry point than an international brand.
- Angel’s Hamburger, another long-running Filipino burger brand with its own franchise details.
- Frank’s N’ Burgers, a mid-size investment burger brand actively franchising in the Philippines. Read our guide.
If Smashburger does open a Philippine franchising program in the future, we’ll update this guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
People search for this brand a lot, so let’s answer directly.
Is Smashburger available in the Philippines?
Not currently. JFC owns Smashburger internationally, but recent expansion has been in the US market.
Can I apply to franchise Smashburger for a Philippine location?
There’s no publicly available local franchising program for the Philippines at this time. Any application would have to go through Smashburger’s US franchising channels, and there’s no indication the Philippines is currently an active expansion market for the brand.
What’s the closest alternative if I want a smash-burger-style business here?
Consider Burger Machine, Angel’s Hamburger, or Frank’s N’ Burgers, all currently franchisable in the Philippines at a fraction of what an international brand would cost.
Sources
JFC/Smashburger expansion reporting via Philstar.com, April 2026; Smashburger corporate history.
