American Burger Icon Shake Shack Targets Israel Market Expansion

The legendary burger brand from New York is making its move into the Middle East. Shake Shack (NYSE: SHAK), famous for its elevated take on American fast-casual dining, has announced an ambitious expansion into Israel with plans to debut its first location in Tel Aviv during 2024.

Strategic Partnership Powers Israel Entry

The expansion marks another milestone in Shake Shack’s ongoing global growth strategy. The company has teamed up with two powerhouse local operators: Harel Wizel, who leads Fox Group—a fashion and lifestyle retail heavyweight with over 1,000 stores spanning Israel, Europe, and Canada—and the Yarzin Sella Group, one of Israel’s premier restaurant operators managing more than 30 dining concepts across multiple continents.

“This partnership represents exactly what we’re looking for in new markets,” notes Michael Kark, Shake Shack’s Chief Global Licensing Officer. The brand plans to scale aggressively, targeting 15 locations throughout Israel by 2033.

Why Israel Makes Sense

Israel’s food culture and consumer appetite for premium dining experiences align perfectly with Shake Shack’s positioning. The company intends to source locally whenever possible, collaborating with Israeli producers and purveyors to customize the experience for the local community. Diners can expect the full Shake Shack signature lineup: the iconic ShackBurger made from Angus beef, hand-cut fries, craft beer and wine selections, plus frozen custard treats.

Harel Wizel brings significant retail expertise and an established network across the country, ensuring optimal location placement. Yuval Sella and the Yarzin Sella Group bring deep culinary credentials—their portfolio includes acclaimed concepts like Magazzino, Café Italia, and Alexander craft brewery, plus corporate dining partnerships with Meta, Google, and Samsung.

Building on Global Success

Shake Shack’s journey from a single Madison Square Park location in 2004 to over 450 restaurants worldwide demonstrates the model’s durability. The brand currently operates across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East through international franchises in cities like London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Istanbul, Dubai, Tokyo, and Seoul.

The Israel expansion underscores Shake Shack’s commitment to its “Stand For Something Good” mission—balancing premium quality ingredients with meaningful community engagement in every market it enters.