Sioux Falls' Downtown Burger Battle Draws Record Crowds with POET Sponsorship

The 13th annual competition showcases local culinary talent and the importance of agriculture in the community.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Downtown Burger Battle in Sioux Falls, South Dakota has become a highly anticipated annual event, challenging local chefs to create innovative burger creations. This year, the 13th edition of the competition saw a record-breaking 50 restaurants participate, selling over 95,750 burgers and generating an estimated $3.7 million in economic impact for the city. POET, a global leader in biofuels, stepped up as the primary sponsor for the second year in a row, highlighting the company's role in providing high-quality animal feed ingredients that support the local livestock industry.

Why it matters

The Downtown Burger Battle has evolved into a beloved community tradition that not only showcases the culinary talent of Sioux Falls' restaurants but also reinforces the strong connections that define the city's downtown culture. With POET's sponsorship, the event underscores the essential role agriculture plays in our daily lives, from the beef on the burgers to the animal feed ingredients produced by the company.

The details

This year's Burger Battle featured 50 restaurants vying for the top prize, with Swamp Daddy's Cajun Kitchen claiming the 2026 championship with its Bayou Stack Burger. The event generated an impressive $1.75 million in burger sales and contributed an estimated $3.7 million in economic impact to Sioux Falls. POET's sponsorship allowed the competition to be bigger and better than ever, celebrating the city's culinary talent and the agricultural roots that bring the community together.

  • The 13th annual Downtown Sioux Falls Burger Battle took place in January 2026.
  • Swamp Daddy's Cajun Kitchen won the 2026 Burger Battle championship.

The players

POET

A global leader in biofuels that also produces 14 billion pounds of animal feed ingredients each year, making it a natural fit to sponsor the Downtown Burger Battle.

Brandon Hanson

The CEO of Downtown Sioux Falls Inc., the organization that hosts the annual Burger Battle.

Erin Branick

The media manager at POET, who expressed the company's excitement to sponsor the Burger Battle and support the local community.

Swamp Daddy's Cajun Kitchen

The restaurant that claimed the 2026 Burger Battle championship with its Bayou Stack Burger creation.

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What they’re saying

“The Downtown Sioux Falls Burger Battle has grown into an incredible tradition, proving that January doesn't have to be a slow month for the restaurant industry.”

— Brandon Hanson, CEO of Downtown Sioux Falls Inc. (siouxfalls.business)

“POET was very excited to sponsor the 13th annual Downtown Sioux Falls Burger Battle. While many know us as a global leader in biofuels, we also produce 14 billion pounds of animal feed ingredients each year, making this event a natural fit for POET.”

— Erin Branick, Media Manager at POET (siouxfalls.business)

What’s next

The organizers of the Downtown Burger Battle are already planning for the 14th annual event in January 2027, which is expected to be even bigger and more exciting than this year's record-breaking competition.

The takeaway

The Downtown Burger Battle has become a beloved community tradition in Sioux Falls, showcasing the city's culinary talent and the vital role agriculture plays in supporting local businesses and bringing people together. POET's sponsorship of the event highlights the company's commitment to the community and its recognition of the importance of the agricultural industry in daily life.