• by Teresa Buyikian , Yesterday

Smashburger, the Denver-based burger chain known for its namesake offering, has promoted President Jim Sullivan to the position of CEO.

Sullivan, previously Smashburger’s chief development officer, has held the position of president since Feb. 2025, when former CEO Denise Nelsen left the company after less than a year.

Sullivan is charged with company strategy and the oversight of all operations, and “will lead the brand repositioning of Smashburger around its core strengths,” according to the announcement. He will also focus on franchise development, in particular in nontraditional locations such as schools and airports. The brand recently opened a new location in the Detroit Metro Airport.

"Jim brings decisive leadership, a clear vision and a deep understanding of Smashburger's position in the market," said Richard CW Shin, CEO of Jollibee Group International and global chief finance and risk officer for Jollibee Group, Smashburger’s parent company. "He has already laid the foundation for a more focused brand that is delivering better food, a stronger guest experience, and renewed momentum across the system.”

Before joining Smashburger in 2024 Sullivan was most recently chief development officer for Qdoba in San Diego. He previously spent four years at CKE Restaurant Holdings, parent company of Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s, Green Burrito and Red Burrito.

Earlier in his career, Sullivan worked for five years at CKE Restaurant holdings, rising to the position of senior vice president, domestic franchise development and executive vice president of domestic development. He also spent over nine years at Friendly’s Ice Creamm departing as senior vice president, chief development officer in 2012.

Founded in 2007 and based in Denver, Colorado, Smashburger is a wholly owned subsidiary of Jollibee Foods Corporation and has 204 locations in 30 U.S. states and seven countries.

Jollibee Foods Corporation includes 19 brands with over 10,000 locations across 33 countries. The Philippines-based company reported an increase in system-wide sales (SWS)  by 18.9%, for first quarter of 2025, along with14.6% revenue growth and a 17.6% increase in operating income.