Danny Meyer's Shake Shack to open in London
Shake Shack, the US burger brand owned by Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group (HSHG) is to open its first UK outlet in London's Covent Garden next year.
Restaurateur Meyer has a host of venues across Manhattan including Union Square Café and Gramercy Tavern, but had yet to launch a restaurant venture Britain.
Commenting on his decision to open in the UK, Meyer said that he is "positively in love with London's thriving food culture".
He added: "For some time now an enormous number of friends in London have asked when we would bring our first restaurant to the city. We looked high and wide for just the right time and spot, and at last I think we've found it in Covent Garden.
"I am humbled and at the same time excited to bring Shake Shack to the UK and to become part of the incredible London dining scene."
The London Shake Shack is expected to open in the Market Building in Covent Garden next summer, near the Royal Opera House and Jamie Oliver's new Union Jack's restaurant.
It will serve its own unique brand of "all natural burgers", flat top dogs and frozen custard, with American craft beer, wine and a range of new dishes designed for the London market.
It is also expected to uphold USHG's commitment to corporate social responsibility, through the use of recycled and sustainable materials and energy efficient kitchen equipment and lighting.
The Shake Shack concept began in 2004 as a hot dog cart in in Madison Square Park in Manhattan, created by USHG. The cart quickly garnered a huge fan base, with queues forming daily for the following three summers.
The company now has nine sites in New York, as well as others in Connecticut, Florida, Washington DC and Philadelphia, as well as Dubai and Kuwait City.
Meyer's first opening was the Union Square Café in 1985, followed by the Gramercy Tavern in 1994. New York restaurants Blue Smoke, Jazz Standard, the Modern, Maialino, North End Grill and Untitled at the Whitney also feature in Meyer's USHG portfolio.
By Janie Manzoori-Stamford
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