Crown Burgers

Crown Burgers

Company type	Private
Industry	Fast food
Founded	1978 (1978)
Founder	Nick Katsanevas, John Katzourakis
Headquarters	Salt Lake City , United States
Area served	Utah, United States
Key people	Dean Maroudas (manager)
Products	Hamburgers, burritos, souvlaki, fish and chips, Greek-style gyros, fry sauce

Crown Burgers is a modest hamburger fast food restaurant chain headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Established in 1978 by Nick Katsanevas and John Katzourakis, the brand currently runs seven outlets exclusively within Utah as of 2023.

History

Emerging from the experience of Greek immigrants and a strong emphasis on community, Crown Burgers was created after the Katsanevas and Katzourakis families encountered unemployment in California. Their menu honors this background by offering items such as burgers, burritos, souvlaki, fish and chips, Greek-style gyros, and a distinctive take on the regional condiment known as fry sauce—a mixture of ketchup, mayonnaise, and seasonings.

Dean Maroudas, who manages the business today, attributes Crown Burgers’ expansion throughout Utah to their community-centric approach, which differs from more widespread international growth strategies.

Pastrami burger

The iconic Pastrami burger—a cheeseburger layered with hot pastrami—was originally crafted at Minos Burgers in Anaheim, California by James Katsanevas, a relative of the Katzourakis family. This specialty was inspired by a Los Angeles individual of Turkish heritage and became the defining "Crown Burger" upon its debut at the inaugural Utah location. It has since become a beloved staple in Salt Lake City and has been adopted by other local dining establishments and chains such as Carl’s Jr. Subsequently, the Katsanevas family expanded Crown Burgers by opening a second venue in Utah.

Reception

In 2010, Crown Burgers earned acclaim as serving The Official Best Burgers of Utah during a 2011 installment of the Travel Channel series Man v. Food. The restaurant has grown into a cultural icon within the Salt Lake Valley, with its emblem prominently displayed during Salt Lake City scenes in the London staging of The Book of Mormon musical.

See also

• List of hamburger restaurants