DENVER, Jan 30 — A US burger chain known for smashing beef patties on the grill and catering to local palates with customised menus is poised to become a global presence with plans to open locations in the Middle East, Canada and Latin America this year.

After opening 51 new restaurants across the US in 2011, Denver-based chain Smashburger announced this week that the company plans to add 50 to 70 outlets in new and existing markets.

While plans are afoot for new outlets in the Middle East, Canada and Latin America this year, the company is also eyeing franchise opportunities in Western Europe, South America and Asia as well.

News of the chain’s ambitious expansion plans is sizzling up the hamburgers wars in the US, where popular mid-sized brands boast cult-like followings, and fierce, divided loyalties among burger fans.

Five Guys — which rose to fame after US President Barack Obama took his staff to the burger joint in 2009 — has also expanded into Canada and was the fastest growing quick-serve restaurant chain in 2010, according to food consultancy group Technomic.

And while Consumer Reports magazine and Zagat readers have crowned Five Guys the best burger joint in reader surveys in past years, In-N-Out Burger also has its legions of devoted fans.

When the West Coast chain opened its first location in Texas last year, lineups to the restaurant snaked for miles and also drew some customers to tears.

In a move that could be a test of the appetite for the brand abroad, In-N-Out also held a brief pop-up event in Sydney, Australia this week, in which they sold out of burgers within an hour.

And popular New York burger institution Shake Shack, in Madison Square Garden, recently opened its first international outposts with locations in Dubai and Kuwait City.

The chain is owned and operated by restaurateur Danny Meyer, who also runs popular New York dining destinations Gramercy Tavern and Union Square Café.

Meanwhile, aside from their signature ‘smashing’ cooking technique, Smashburger also sells itself on a practice of customising burgers to local tastes. The Colorado burger, for instance, comes with mild green chilies and pepper jack cheese, while the Spicy Baja burger is topped with guacamole, fresh jalapenos and a spicy chipotle bun. — AFP-Relaxnews