Smashburger to Open Across from Moorestown Mall

National burger chain Smashburger will continue its East Coast expansion next year with a new location in Maple Shade across from the Moorestown Mall.

The fast casual restaurant has announced plans to open a 106-seat restaurant at 490 S. Lenola Road, replacing Tacconelli’s Pizzeria, which is moving to a new, larger location on Main Street in downtown Maple Shade, according to philly.com.

Smashburger spokesperson Christine Ferris said the chain has been expanding rapidly recently, particularly in the Philly-South Jersey area. Smashburger opened locations in Glassboro (February) and Radnor, PA (August) earlier this year, and will open another franchise in Cherry Hill in December.

The Maple Shade location is slated for a March opening, though that timeline is subject to change, Ferris noted. It will have 84 inside seats, and 22 on the patio outside.

Tacconelli's, which originally started in Philadelphia, opened its Maple Shade restaurant in 2003.

Ferris said Smashburger, which has more than 240 locations nationwide, typically concentrates on suburban areas before spreading into metropolitan areas—a model it’s employed in areas such as Washington, D.C. and San Francisco.

“We feel like the Philly area’s a great place (for us to expand),” Ferris explained.

The chain—which derives its name from the burger-cooking method of smashing burgers on the grill to “sear in the juices” and enhance the flavor—has a larger menu than other burger joints in the area, like Five Guys and Elevation Burger. In addition to its wide variety of burgers, Smashburger’s menu also features chicken sandwiches, several sides, Häagen-Dazs milkshakes and, for the more health-conscious, a spicy veggie black bean burger.

Between the new mall restaurants—which include Marc Vetri's Osteria, Jose Garces' Distrito and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill (plus an as-yet unnamed fourth eatery)—a planned Buffalo Wild Wings in place of Friendly's, and Smashburger, area foodies will have plenty of dining-out options in the coming months.

For more information, visit Smashburger’s website.