Smashburger plans to open Lawrence location in spring 2010

Smashburger is bringing its made-to-order burgers, flash-fried vegetables and rosemary-and-garlic-seasoned fries to Lawrence this spring.

The Denver-based chain, now with 47 locations, will open its restaurant in a building now under construction in the new Bauer Farm development, at the northeast corner of Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive.

Smashburger already has locations in Wichita and nearby Derby, and more are in the works, including one in Manhattan this spring and two in Overland Park this summer.

The restaurants also sell chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and salads, plus ice cream floats, shakes and malts, and bottled beers and wines by the glass. Additional items aim to meet regional tastes, such as the “Shocker Smashburger” in Wichita and “Husker Smashburger” — including onions and mushrooms, not corn — in Nebraska.

Areios LLC, which is franchising Smashburger restaurants in the Kansas City area, will own the Lawrence store.