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Podcasts Take Two
Umami Burger plots global expansion
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Dec 16, 2013
Listen • 4:08
Umami Burger plots global expansion
“It wasn’t designed to be a small brand,” said Umami founder and CEO Adam Fleischman. “It was designed to be global brand from the outset."
Eunice Tan has lunch with friends on Friday, Oct. 18 at Umami Burger's flagship location at the Grove. The restaurant first opened in Los Angeles in 2009 and now has 22 locations including Miami Beach and New York City.
Eunice Tan has lunch with friends on Friday, Oct. 18 at Umami Burger's flagship location at the Grove. The restaurant first opened in Los Angeles in 2009 and now has 22 locations including Miami Beach and New York City.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Umami Burger Founder and CEO Adam Fleischman stands outside the restaurant's location at The Grove. In addition to Umami, CEO Adam Fleishman also helped create restaurants 800 Degrees and Red Medicine, and owns a stake in L.A. Creamery Artisan Ice Cream.
Umami Burger Founder and CEO Adam Fleischman stands outside the restaurant's location at The Grove. In addition to Umami, CEO Adam Fleishman also helped create restaurants 800 Degrees and Red Medicine, and owns a stake in L.A. Creamery Artisan Ice Cream.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Umami's flagship location at the Grove opened in August 2012. Since its founding four years ago, 16 Umami Burger locations have opened in Southern California.
Umami's flagship location at the Grove opened in August 2012. Since its founding four years ago, 16 Umami Burger locations have opened in Southern California.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Friends eat lunch together on Friday, Oct. 18 at Umami Burger at the Grove.
Friends eat lunch together on Friday, Oct. 18 at Umami Burger at the Grove.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Anthony Duong of Los Angeles, right, takes his father to lunch on Friday, Oct. 18 at Umami Burger during a visit to California from Vietnam.
Anthony Duong of Los Angeles, right, takes his father to lunch on Friday, Oct. 18 at Umami Burger during a visit to California from Vietnam.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
The Grove Truffle Burger, with parmesan fondue and truffle sauce, is exclusive to their flagship restaurant. Every Umami burger has a "U" on the top bun.
The Grove Truffle Burger, with parmesan fondue and truffle sauce, is exclusive to their flagship restaurant. Every Umami burger has a "U" on the top bun.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Grill supervisor William Cruz finishes a Slash Burger inside the kitchen at Umami Burger on Oct. 18.
Grill supervisor William Cruz finishes a Slash Burger inside the kitchen at Umami Burger on Oct. 18.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
James Duong of Vietnam eats lunch at Umami Burger at the Grove.
James Duong of Vietnam eats lunch at Umami Burger at the Grove.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Umami's ahi tuna burger with crushed avocado, daikon sprouts, pickled ginger and wasabi flakes. The restaurant name, Umami, is a Japanese word for savory, one of the five basic types of taste.
Umami's ahi tuna burger with crushed avocado, daikon sprouts, pickled ginger and wasabi flakes. The restaurant name, Umami, is a Japanese word for savory, one of the five basic types of taste.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Kitchen manager Jose Luis Toledo takes out Slash Burgers and sweet potato fries for an order.
Kitchen manager Jose Luis Toledo takes out Slash Burgers and sweet potato fries for an order.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)

“It wasn’t designed to be a small brand,” said Umami founder and CEO Adam Fleischman. “It was designed to be global brand from the outset."

Think of burgers and California - and many people think of In-N-Out. There's another restaurant chain, though, with an upscale version of this classic fast food.

KPCC's Ben Bergman says while In-N-Out has resisted expansion, Umami Burger is fixated on it.