Campus Burgers is coming to 720 2nd Street in Davis, with business partners George Petroutsas and JT White confirming to What Now Sacramento they are targeting a September opening just as UC Davis students return for the fall quarter. The two plan to bring the low-budget burgers brand to a community they both have deep personal connections to, making this more than just another franchise location.
Campus Burgers is very well known as the home of the $1.99 smash burger, with fresh-ground beef sourced daily and cheeseburgers starting at $2.99. The menu is tight, with smash burgers, fresh-cut fries, shakes, and a handful of other classic items, all priced for students working within a budget. When the brand’s original San Jose State location opened, it was serving over 1,000 people a day, mostly students.
“Students as well as anyone will love us,” said co-founder Jim Angelopoulos.
The 900-square-foot Davis location will lean hard into nostalgia, with a 1950s burger stand aesthetic, retro details, and music from the era to create a fun and nostalgic atmosphere. But the experience will be modern, with self-service kiosks, phone ordering with text confirmations, and remote payment so customers can walk in, grab their order, and get back to campus without missing a beat. Catering will also be available for student organizations, athletic teams, and local businesses.
For George, the decision to open in Davis is partly personal His son is currently a UC Davis student and member of the water polo team, meaning he has spent time on campus not just as a business owner scouting a location, but as a parent watching his kid build a life there. For JT, the connection runs even deeper. His mother was born in nearby Woodland, his wife has worked within the UC system for over 30 years, and both of his daughters attended UC schools.
“Opening a business in Yolo County feels like life coming full circle,” White said.
