Another burger concept is preparing to join Pacific Beach's increasingly crowded culinary lineup. Campus Burgers, the fast-growing Northern California chain known for its inexpensive smash burgers and college-town appeal, is opening its first San Diego location on Garnet Avenue, taking over the former home of The Food Box, which closed earlier this year after four years in business.
According to franchise owner Greg Nazloo, construction is currently underway with plans to open by Labor Day weekend. To celebrate the debut, Campus Burgers intends to give away 1,000 free burgers and fries during its grand opening festivities, continuing a promotional tradition that has accompanied several of the brand's recent launches.
Founded in downtown San Jose in 2024, Campus Burgers has quickly expanded throughout Northern California with locations in San Jose, Berkeley and Gilroy, while signing franchise agreements for additional restaurants across California and Arizona. The Pacific Beach restaurant marks not only the company's first location in San Diego County, but also its first in Southern California. A second San Diego franchise is also in development for the Rolando neighborhood near San Diego State University.
The menu centers around made-to-order smash burgers served alongside hand-cut fries, loaded Campus Fries, grilled cheese sandwiches, milkshakes and specialty burgers, including the chain's Double Jalapeño Smash. The concept has built its reputation around serving quality burgers at value-oriented prices, with straightforward offerings designed to appeal to students, families and anyone looking for a quick meal without the premium prices that have become increasingly common throughout Southern California.
Nazloo explained that he selected Pacific Beach because of its unique blend of residents, college students, surfers and visitors, describing the neighborhood as a natural fit for the brand's youthful identity and casual atmosphere. He said the restaurant is designed to be a place where customers can stop after a day at the beach, before a night out, or anytime they're craving a smash burger.
The arrival also continues the rapid transformation of Pacific Beach's burger scene. Over the past several years, Garnet Avenue has evolved into one of San Diego's most competitive burger corridors, welcoming newcomers including For The Win and VanMan's, while longtime operators continue battling for customers. Campus Burgers will inherit a location that most recently housed Mexico-based The Food Box, which closed its Pacific Beach restaurant in May while teasing plans to relocate elsewhere in San Diego County.
Campus Burgers' expansion into San Diego also reflects broader shifts occurring throughout the restaurant industry. As rising costs continue to challenge independent operators, franchise concepts offering recognizable brands, streamlined operations and value pricing have continued to gain momentum. The company's leadership has already indicated that Pacific Beach is only the beginning, with plans to continue expanding throughout San Diego and eventually across Southern California.
Campus Burgers is expected to open by Labor Day weekend at 978 Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach. For more information, visit campusburgers.com.
Originally published on July 19, 2026. Information first reported by Joey Reams of WhatNow.
