Smash-N-Nash ghost kitchen enters KC market

Smash-N-Nash, a new ghost kitchen, is shaking up the culinary scene in the Kansas City metro.

The creative, to-go food option is now available and delivering to the Kansas City metro through DoorDash with hand-made smash burgers, Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, fries, tater tots and freshly baked cookies.

The local culinary team behind the new concept - an established group of local restaurateurs - recognized the demand for carryout options during the COVID-19 pandemic. They saw an opportunity to utilize their current venues and resources with a third-party delivery app to give customers what they crave – delicious grub available at their fingertips.

Smash-N-Nash is operating out of the kitchens of Lee's Summit's (Mo.) Third Street Social and Summit Grill in Lee’s Summit, Waldo and Gladstone locations; and is open for delivery Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

The menu includes:

Smash Burger: Angus Ground Chuck, Grilled Onions, Pickles, Mash Sauce, Martin’s Potato Roll

Nashville Chicken Sandwich: Crispy Chicken Breast, Hot Pepper Oil, Nash Sauce, Pickles, Martin’s Potato Roll

Chicken Tenders: Hand Breaded Chicken Tenderloins

Fries: Crispy Coated Steak Fries, Mash Sauce

Tater Tots: Classic Tots, Mash Sauce

Freshly Baked Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie

For more information, visit https://smash-n-nash.webflow.io.

Panera set to open metro’s first Generation IV restaurant

New Belton location includes larger footprint, drive-thru, technology upgrades and modern farmhouse décor

Panera Bread will open the Kansas City region’s first Generation IV restaurant in Belton on June 8, 2018. The 6,000-square foot restaurant located at 1211 E. North Ave. in Belton Marketplace is about 10 percent larger than previous Panera Bread locations and includes an outdoor patio and dining area, as well as drive-thru.  

The new farmhouse-themed restaurant will offer a “five-fecta” of services, providing an enhanced customer experience with amenities such as delivery service and catering, ordering kiosks, drive-thru and rapid pickup of items.  

The Belton Panera location is operated by Pan American Group, which is hiring more than 50 local workers for positions such as retail associates, managers, shift supervisors, delivery drivers, and bakers.

Pan American Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of California-based Flynn Restaurant Group and owns and operates almost 130 Panera Bread Bakery-Cafes throughout the U.S., including Kansas and Missouri.

A ribbon cutting for the Belton Marketplace Panera will take place later in June. 

Four new retail stores open in Belton Gateway

Four retailers have celebrated March grand openings in Belton Gateway’s $63 million second phase, including Marshall's, Party City, Petco, and Five Below.

Ross Dress for Less is scheduled to open later this spring in the $136 million, 47-acre mixed-use development located just west of I-49 at Y Highway. Kneaders Bakery opened in the summer of 2017.

“Belton Gateway is quickly becoming Cass County’s premier retail destination, thanks to its location and easy highway access,” said Belton Economic Development Director Carolyn Yatsook. “We are seeing a tremendous amount of activity in this corridor.”

In addition, the relocation of Turner Road has been completed and provides improved traffic flow to the North Scott redevelopment area. Additional pad sites are available for retail and restaurant development.

Developed by Christie Development, Belton Gateway’s two phases are master planned for a total of more than 182,000 square feet of developable space. The project’s $70 million Phase One is anchored by a 58,000-square foot Academy Sports and Outdoors store and a 55,000-square foot Hobby Lobby. Phase One has potential for construction of a 20,000-square foot hotel.