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At Acorn Safety Services, we work in partnership with our clients to provide health and safety consultancy services, including CDM, fire risk assessments, and legionella risk management, both on schedule and within budget. We address all health and safety challenges without extra expenses, delays, or unwelcome surprises. Our consultancy services are designed to advise and support our clients, helping them to understand and meet their legal obligations regarding the management of health and safety risks.
How SB Realty Ltd Delivered Smashburger’s UK Expansion—Safely, Smoothly, and Fully Compliant with the Best for Health and Safety in the UK
When SB Realty Ltd took on the responsibility of expanding Smashburger’s footprint across the UK, they knew they were facing more than just a construction project. They were helping bring a renowned American fast-casual brand—with its signature “smash” cooking technique and handcrafted Angus beef burgers—to a discerning UK audience. With multiple locations, tight deadlines, and the need for full compliance with UK health and safety regulations, SB Realty needed more than contractors—they needed a partner with proven expertise in health and safety management.
They turned to Acorn Safety Services.
Over the course of 18 months, Acorn Safety Services played a pivotal role as Health & Safety Consultant and Principal Designer Consultant across a nationwide rollout spanning seven major locations: Bath, Milton Keynes, Wednesbury, Newcastle, Glasgow, Dunfermline, and Brighton.
At stake was not just the physical transformation of empty commercial spaces into fully operational restaurants, but also the legal and reputational risk associated with health and safety compliance in the UK. SB Realty Ltd and Smashburger were determined to deliver a premium dining experience—without compromising on safety, timelines, or statutory obligations.
Acorn Safety Services brought the clarity, rigour, and oversight required to bring that vision to life.
The Scope: Complex Installations, Compressed Timelines
Each site was a comprehensive fit-out from the ground up. The works included the installation of electrics, fire alarm systems, air conditioning, plumbing, alarm and CCTV systems, staircases, ceilings, and extensive floor and wall tiling. Bespoke elements such as stone and brick panels, decorative finishes, cold rooms, extract canopies, counters, signage, mirrors, menu screens, and drinks dispensers were integral to achieving the bold, industrial aesthetic Smashburger is known for.
Beyond the visual and functional details, these installations also brought with them a host of compliance considerations—from fire safety and air quality to structural integrity and end-user accessibility.
Acorn Safety Services ensured that all health and safety elements were embedded from the outset, not retrofitted as an afterthought.
Acting as the Bridge: Communication That Drives Compliance
From pre-start meetings through to the final handover, Acorn Safety Services served as the linchpin between SB Realty, Caulder Moore Architects, and the wider project team. Their role demanded more than oversight—it required proactive communication, technical precision, and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders across different geographies.
Through face-to-face meetings, detailed correspondence, and electronic documentation, Acorn Safety Services ensured that every party was aligned to a single standard: delivering safe, compliant, and high-quality restaurant environments on time and on budget.
Documentation That Stands Up to Scrutiny
One of the most critical outputs of Acorn Safety Services’ involvement was the collation and integration of key safety documentation. They developed and maintained the Pre-Construction Information (PCI) packs and Health & Safety files in accordance with CDM 2015 regulations. This included up-to-date risk assessments, design risk assessments (DRA’s), and draft health and safety information in the required format and layout.
This wasn’t just box-ticking. These documents were living tools that informed on-site practices, guided decision-making, and ultimately ensured accountability at every level of the project.
A Seamless Fitout Across 7 UK Cities
With a total project value of £1.4 million, the multi-site rollout required consistency in execution and adaptability in delivery. Each location brought its own challenges—different local authority requirements, varying building conditions, and shifting timelines. But across every site, one thing remained constant: Acorn Safety Services’ unwavering commitment to safety and compliance.
From Brighton’s bustling Lanes to Glasgow’s vibrant city centre, the restaurants were delivered without a single compromise to safety. The result was a seamless transformation of spaces into vibrant, fully operational Smashburger restaurants—each one a testament to what can be achieved when health and safety is built into the project DNA from day one.
Why Property Managers Trust Acorn Safety Services
For property managers, the stakes are high. Compliance isn’t optional—it’s essential. And in a landscape where regulations are constantly evolving, having a trusted partner like Acorn Safety Services isn’t just helpful. It’s critical.
Their work with SB Realty Ltd on behalf of Smashburger is a model of what best-in-class health and safety consultancy looks like in the UK. They didn’t just help open restaurants—they helped build a brand presence grounded in operational excellence, legal compliance, and public safety.
Today, Smashburger is not only serving up premium burgers across the UK—they’re doing it in spaces that are safe, compliant, and built to last. Thanks to the foresight of SB Realty Ltd and the executional excellence of Acorn Safety Services, the UK expansion has become a benchmark in how to deliver fast-casual dining environments the right way.
And for property managers looking to navigate the complex world of health and safety with confidence, there’s now a clear example of who to trust—and why. Acorn Safety Services continue to be recognised as one of the best for health and safety in the UK.
