---
title: "From Burgers To Sandwiches"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/6cddd977-2f06-4919-9783-5c79c2663673
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/articles/from_burgers_to_sandwiches.html
author: "Multi-Unit Franchisee"
category: "Burger"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Burger"
published: 2018-01-03T10:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T02:37:15.913Z
image: https://imgs.franchising.com/art/articles/3714_plate.jpg
---

# From Burgers To Sandwiches

**TL;DR:** Drew Smith, a multi-unit operator of 23 Five Guys locations, is expanding his portfolio with Melt Shop, a melted sandwich concept. He is scheduled to open 18 locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware as part of a development deal.

*By Multi-Unit Franchisee, originally published in Franchising.com on 2018-01-03. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/articles/from_burgers_to_sandwiches.html).*

## Story

Drew Smith is a seasoned multi-unit operator with 23 Five Guys Burgers and Fries locations operating throughout the greater Philadelphia area. The former private equity investor has been successful in franchising and was looking to diversify his holdings. He didn't have to look far to find Melt Shop.

The upstart melted sandwich concept is a part of Aurify Brands, a company founded by fellow Five Guys Burgers and Fries franchisees Andy Stern and John Rigos. "Backed by fellow Five Guys franchisees, Melt Shop was the clear choice for me when I decided to diversify my portfolio," said Smith, chief executive officer of Rockham Melt, LLC. "Its smooth and efficient operations coupled with its focus on food quality and customer satisfaction make it a winning combination.

I'm eager to begin this journey with Melt Shop and stand behind an emerging concept I love." Smith is scheduled to open 18 locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware as a part of the development deal. The first location is slated to open in Delaware in 2018.

So far, Melt Shop has eight corporate locations throughout New York, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis, and has a multi-unit deal to open seven restaurants in the Middle East, four of which will open by the second quarter of 2018. Just last month, Melt Shop signed its first domestic franchise agreement to open a location in Staten Island Mall in Staten Island, New York. "It has been a stellar year for Melt Shop with the launch of our franchise program and we're looking to continue this momentum in 2018," said Melt Shop founder Spencer Rubin.

"Finding an experienced, knowledgeable partner like Drew to sign our first development deal is key to catapulting our growth. We're excited to have him join our family and see how far he will take the Melt Shop brand."

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- unit expansion (topic)
- franchise agreement (topic)
- new jersey (location)
- Multi-Unit Franchisee (person)
- Pennsylvania (location)
- Five Guys (company)
- multi-unit operator (topic)
- Delaware (location)
- development deal (topic)
- The Melt (company)

---
Originally reported by Multi-Unit Franchisee, Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/articles/from_burgers_to_sandwiches.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/6cddd977-2f06-4919-9783-5c79c2663673).