Founded in Encino in 2003 by CEO Murray Wishengrad, The Stand has evolved from a single neighborhood burger stand into a multi-state chain with more than 20 locations across California and Texas. The concept positions itself as an upgraded take on traditional American comfort food, combining fast-casual ordering with higher-quality ingredients, chef-driven specials, and a broader menu than many conventional burger chains. The Encinitas restaurant will become the company’s fourth San Diego County location and further signals the Los Angeles-born brand’s aggressive regional growth strategy as it expands deeper into suburban Southern California markets.
The restaurants are known for customizable burgers, grilled sandwiches, salads, wraps, hot dogs, fries, milkshakes, craft beer, and wine, alongside more indulgent signature items that have helped the brand cultivate a loyal following throughout Los Angeles and Orange County.
Among the company’s more recognizable menu offerings are the French Onion Soup Burger, served on a parmesan-crusted bun with gruyere cheese and au jus, and the Short Rib Grilled Cheese layered with braised beef, cheddar, bacon tomato jam, crispy onions, and hickory sauce on parmesan-crusted sourdough.
In addition to burgers and sandwiches, The Stand has increasingly leaned into seasonal menu rotations and broader beverage offerings, including specialty milkshakes, local craft beer selections, and wine programs designed to elevate the traditional counter-service experience.
The Encinitas expansion comes as the company is simultaneously preparing to debut a Mission Valley restaurant later this summer inside Mission Valley Shopping Center near the incoming Kura Sushi location. That restaurant will place the brand directly within one of San Diego’s busiest retail corridors and further increase its visibility among both local residents and visitors.
The Stand first entered the San Diego market in 2023 with the opening of its Carmel Mountain Ranch location in the former Grub Burger Bar space. A second San Diego County restaurant later opened in Santee, helping establish the chain’s presence across multiple suburban markets before its current acceleration into central San Diego and coastal North County.
Beyond its food program, The Stand has also emphasized local fundraising and community involvement through its “Eat Good, Do Good” initiative, which partners with schools and nonprofit organizations by donating portions of sales proceeds from designated events.
The Encinitas location is expected to bring the company’s polished-casual atmosphere and quick-service model to one of North County’s busiest commercial corridors along El Camino Real, an area already densely packed with national restaurant brands, fitness concepts, and shopping centers.
The Stand is expected to open at 267 El Camino Real, Suite A, in San Diego's Encinitas during the first week of August 2026. For more information, visit thestand.com.
Originally published on May 13, 2026. Information first reported by Juan Carlos Montoya of WhatNow.
