Iconic US burger chain Shake Shack to open up in Australia after 25 years

The next Australian Open will welcome the nation's first-ever Shake Shack pop-up, with the promise of iconic burgers and popular crinkle cut fries.

The brand, which began in New York City, will be at TOPCOURT and John Cain Arena the Melbourne tennis event, which runs January 12 until February 1.

The Aussie outlet of the famed US burger chain will serve up its iconic ShackBurgers: a single cheeseburger with a smashed Angus beef patty, melted American cheese, tomato, lettuce and secret ShackSauce on a toasted potato bun.

The pop-up will also offer an exclusive new menu item in an Australian Open Shake, which will only be available at TOPCOURT throughout January.

Shake Shack’s impending arrival has generated huge buzz online, with hundreds of Aussies taking to social media to share their excitement following the announcement.

‘Shake Shack finally coming to Aus is everything,’ one said.

‘What?!? Worlds best burger finally hits Melbourne. Do I need to start lining up now?’ another said.

‘Honestly can't stand tennis but tempted to go just for this,’ one non-tennis fan added.

But some Australians raised concerns that the burgers might come with a side of a hefty price tag.

'$50 for a burger chips then is it?' one person said.

Another added: 'I imagine everything is a fortune.'

A third person also questioned why a homegrown brand was not being given the opportunity: 'Absolutely love Shake Shack when I’m in the US, but we have our own Aussie version that would be much better alignment: Betty's Burgers.'

Following the official media launch on October 7, Tennis Australia’s Fern Barrett said the move heralds a landmark moment for the tournament.

'Shake Shack’s arrival at the AO underlines how much this event has grown beyond the court, it’s a festival of food, sport and culture,' she said.

'Innovations such as expanded in-seat ordering for those in accessible seating, precinct roving vending to cut down queue times, and new automated snack services across the precinct have all been designed to make it easier than ever to grab what you need and get straight back to the tennis.'

The Australian Open is also bringing back other exclusive food and drink for the next tournament, including 'fan-favourite' dessert, Peach Melbourne.

In the 2025 event, the Open saw spectators consume more than 112,000 serves of the peach and vanilla soft serve topped with raspberry dust.

There will also be servings of the Grey Goose Lemon Ace cocktail.

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