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Apollo Burger plans Delta Center location in Salt Lake City

Apollo Burger plans Delta Center location in Salt Lake City

Money Moves Salt Lake City, UT local

County licensing record shows the local chain expanding into the arena's downtown footprint.

Today: Apollo Burger record for Delta Center appears

Overview

Updated 56 minutes ago

Apollo Burger, the Utah chain that has fed local families for nearly 40 years, is planning a location inside Salt Lake City's Delta Center. A county health department food establishment record for 301 S Temple St appeared on the licensing list September 23, 2026.

The record is one approval, not a final green light. Apollo Burger still needs to finish the buildout and pass inspections before it can serve its first charbroiled burger to Jazz or Hockey Club crowds.

Why it matters

If it opens, Delta Center crowds get a homegrown burger from a Utah favorite instead of the usual arena fare.

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Key Indicators

7
Consecutive Best of State awards (2017–2023)
Utah's Best of State recognition for the chain's burgers.
≈40
Years Apollo Burger has operated
The chain says it has served Utah for nearly 40 years.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

October 1991 September 2026

4 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Apollo Burger record for Delta Center appears

    Today Licensing

    Salt Lake County health list shows Apollo Burger @ Delta Center at 301 S Temple St.

  2. Utah Hockey Club begins play at Delta Center

    Expansion

    The NHL team's first season makes the arena a two-tenant building.

  3. Smith agrees to buy Jazz and arena

    Ownership

    Ryan Smith's group announces a deal for the team and the building, ending Miller family ownership.

  4. Delta Center opens

    Opening

    Downtown arena opens in October 1991 as home of the Utah Jazz.

Scenarios

1

Apollo Burger opens at the Delta Center this season

Likely Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Salt Lake City food writers and Jazz fan forums watching the licensing progress

Apollo Burger completes construction and passes the county's final inspection during the 2026-27 NBA and NHL seasons. The location opens its doors and begins serving arena goers on event nights.

2

Apollo Burger Delta Center opening slides into 2027

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Restaurant observers noting the record is only one of several approvals

Buildout, staffing, or permitting delays push the opening past the winter sports season. The location stays planned and the license stays listed, but no customers are served by spring 2027.

3

Apollo Burger and Delta Center part ways

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: A low-probability backstop; concession deals can collapse over lease terms

The two sides fail to finalize lease or concession terms. Apollo Burger drops the Delta Center plan and the county record goes inactive or is withdrawn.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

October 1991

Delta Center opens (1991)

The Delta Center opened in downtown Salt Lake City as the new home of the Utah Jazz, replacing the Salt Palace. Delta Air Lines paid for the naming rights, tying the arena's identity to the airline.

Then

The Jazz got a modern, larger arena that anchored the city's downtown.

Now

The building survived ownership changes and two renamings before Delta brought the name back in 2023.

Why this matters now

The same 301 S Temple St building is where Apollo Burger now plans to open.

October-December 2020

Utah Jazz ownership change (2020)

Ryan Smith's Smith Entertainment Group agreed in late October 2020 to buy the Utah Jazz and the arena from the Miller family, ending ownership that dated to 1985.

Then

The sale brought a tech entrepreneur's approach to the team and building.

Now

Smith later added a second tenant, the Utah Hockey Club, in 2024, reshaping how the arena is used.

Why this matters now

New ownership reshaped the arena's retail and concession strategy, creating an opening for a local brand like Apollo Burger.

2023

Delta Center name returns (2023)

The arena, branded EnergySolutions Arena from 2006 and Vivint Arena from 2017, became the Delta Center again when Delta Air Lines signed a new naming deal under Smith's ownership.

Then

The re-naming marked a fresh start for the building's brand.

Now

It preceded plans to redevelop the surrounding blocks as a downtown sports and entertainment district.

Why this matters now

The venue Apollo Burger is entering has spent a decade rebranding and repositioning itself downtown.

Sources

(3)

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