Chief executive of Smashburger – the fastest growing company in the history of US quick service restaurants - to present at first Propel Multi Club conference: Chief executive of US better burger chain Smashburger Dave Prokupek is to present at the first Propel Multi Club conference on Tuesday 19 April. Prokupek will explain the unique Smashburger better burger proposition - the company opens its 200th restaurant this month just six years after it was founded, making it the fastest-starting quick service restaurant chain in US history. Forbes magazine recently placed Smashburger in first position on a list of 100 rising star companies in 22 industries – the only restaurant company to make the list. Forbes’s list named 100 companies that have “compelling business models, strong management teams, notable customers, strategic partners and precious investment capital”. Smashburger was founded in 2007 by Tom Ryan, a veteran of fast food chains including Quiznos, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Long John Silver’s. At McDonald’s he introduced the company’s thin crust pizza, McGriddles, and the McFlurry. In 2009, Smashburger received a $15 million investment from Consumer Capital Partners to enable a major national expansion. Technomic vice president Darren Tristano has described Smashburger as “different” to other better burger concepts. “They have a broader menu – they don’t just have burgers and fries and hot dogs. They were very smart because they got into the right segment at the right time. This was made to be a growth chain.” Operators are entitled to book two free places at the Propel Multi-Club conference – e-mail Jo Charity on jo.charity@propelinfo.com. Prokupek would also like to meet multi-site operators interested in becoming a Smashburger franchisee in the UK. E-mail paul.charity@propelinfo.com to have your details forwarded to Prokupek. The Propel Multi Club conference takes place at One Moorgate Place, London between 10.30am and 5.15pm.