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Once-Thriving Burger Chain Hangs On at LA's Airport
Newser • • technology
Key Points:
- Umami Burger, once a popular Southern California fast-casual chain praised for its innovative "fifth taste" concept, has dwindled to a single, poorly rated location at LAX airport.
- Founder Adam Fleischman gained fame in the 2010s but faced challenges including rapid expansion, changing consumer tastes, a high-profile sale to nightlife company SBE, and controversial business decisions.
- Fleischman's later ventures, such as chocolate-infused fried chicken and a noodle concept, failed amid legal disputes and personal controversies, including a viral 2023 accusation of squatting, which he denied.
- Investors have distanced themselves, most of Fleischman’s new projects quickly closed, and his current whereabouts remain unknown, marking a dramatic fall from his earlier success.
