Long before becoming CEO of Epic Burger, David Grossman’s love for the restaurant industry began at a little pizzeria in Chicago’s north suburbs where he delivered pizzas at age 16. Through this job, David connected with coworkers and customers, developing a love for the restaurant community that would only grow.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas, David returned to Chicago, finding himself drawn to the world of business. In 1989, he and another friend launched a business selling neon signs.
David’s business was hired to create a new sign for all of Subway’s franchise local locations which led to a job at Subway in the leasing department where David helped scout and launch nearly 120 Subway locations in the Chicago area. Over the next 25 years, David built a career as a restaurateur, winning leasing awards and developing connections. After leaving Subway, David joined General Growth Properties where he started and led a restaurant leasing program. From this position, he became a top producer at General Growth, closing hundreds of restaurant deals and working with well-known franchises from Olive Garden to Auntie Anne’s.
After a decade as the area developer for the health-food chain Freshii, of which he oversaw 39 locations and owned 3, David sold back his territory when the franchise went public.
In 2020, David was approached by Epic Burger, a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in higher-end American cuisine. At the time, a financial firm owned the company and was experiencing issues with management and operations. Believing the business could succeed, David saw a number of opportunities to restore Epic Burger to its previous high standards. He purchased 51% of the company, becoming a majority partner and CEO later that year.
With nine locations under his management, plans to remodel a few of the restaurants were required to fully realize David’s vision for Epic Burger. However, rising costs of ingredients and challenges with third party delivery companies made funding a challenge. Then COVID hit.
“COVID really changed the way people ate and ordered,” David shared. “Delivery and carryout have become a significant part of our business.”
In 2026, David connected with A4CB to secure financing to support his vision for Epic Burger. David received a revenue-based finance loan from A4CB to help with remodeling costs for two Epic Burger locations. The funding also supported cashflow and marketing costs that helped grow sales.
Today, David has nearly 125 employees at his nine stores. As someone who worked his way up the restaurant ladder, David loves to promote from within, training his employees to take on leadership positions to further their career.
But it’s not just David’s work community he nourishes. In 2023, David founded the Hallie225 Foundation, named after his daughter who passed away in early 2023. As Hallie had dreams of attending medical school and loved helping others, the foundation provides academic scholarships and medical grants that support the costs of medical care and treatment.
“Every time I write a check, I hear my daughter saying, good job, dad,” David shared. “It’s just been an incredible way to honor her.”
To further the foundation’s impact, David brought the Hallie225 Foundation to Epic Burger by introducing a roundup campaign where guests can round their check up to the nearest dollar. This money then goes directly back to the high schools of every single community Epic Burger operates in.
“It’s amazing the impact that we’re making. The letters we received from students…it’s changing their lives,” David said.
As Epic Burger grows, David has his eyes set on increasing his number of locations globally as well as regionally. David aims to grow the company to a 300-unit chain over the next 7 to 10 years.
Regardless of where an Epic Burger will pop up next, David ensures one thing is for certain: providing quality food and improving local communities will always be the focus.
