The Crack Shack owes its quirky name to humble beginnings.
The concept, created by Michael Rosen, started in a shack behind Juniper and Ivy, a fine-dining restaurant he founded.
Rosen, set with a high-quality gourmet chicken menu, kicked it off just to see what would happen. He expected a few thousand dollars per day and instead formed a concept rocket ship—behemoth sales and impressive store-level economics.
Since starting in that shack in San Diego, the company has opened five more locations, including one on the Las Vegas Strip.
Savory, a Mercato Partners Fund, recognized the potential immediately. It launched an inaugural $90 million fund in June with the goal of fueling growth and injecting capital into up-and-coming brands, and Managing Director Andrew Smith says The Crack Shack fits the bill.