Shake Shack is entering the US casino restaurant market through a new licensing partnership with PENN Entertainment, a move that will bring the fast-casual restaurant chain to 10 gaming properties across the country.
The first two Shake Shack locations under the agreement are planned for Hollywood Casino in Toledo, Ohio, and River City Casino Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. Both are scheduled to open in 2026, pending regulatory approvals.
The rollout introduces Shake Shack into a new operating environment, as the brand continues to diversify its presence beyond urban retail centers, airports, and sports venues.
“Shake Shack is thrilled to be partnering with PENN Entertainment to open ten incredible Shacks and take a meaningful step into the entertainment space,” said Michael Kark, President of Global Licensing at Shake Shack. “We’re creating new opportunities to share our special blend of top-notch ingredients and warm hospitality with even more guests.”
The River City Casino outlet will join an existing network of Shake Shack restaurants in the St. Louis area, including locations in Central West End, Des Peres, Chesterfield, Ladue, and stands at the Enterprise Center and Lambert International Airport. A separate site is under development near Sunset Hills.
PENN Entertainment, which operates 43 gaming properties across 20 states, is incorporating the Shake Shack brand into its strategy to offer new food and beverage experiences at its casino sites.
The agreement adds to PENN’s mix of gaming, digital sports, and hospitality operations, which include brands such as Hollywood Casino, L’Auberge, ESPN BET, and theScore. PENN also manages a customer loyalty program that maintains its own in-house content and betting platform.
Meanwhile, Shake Shack, which launched in 2004 in New York’s Madison Square Park, has since expanded to more than 590 locations globally, including over 380 in the US. Its standard offerings include burgers, chicken sandwiches, hand-spun shakes, fries, lemonades, beer, and wine. The company has not disclosed whether the casino locations will feature modified menus or customized formats.
No timeline has been given for the rollout of the remaining eight casino locations under the licensing agreement.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/06/04/107028-shake-shack-enters-casino-restaurant-market-through-penn-deal
