Shake Shack, a popular New York-based burger chain, is finally making its way to Orange County.
On Friday, May 26, Shake Shack will be opening its first Orange County location at the Irvine Spectrum right next to the Regal Edwards Theater.
This is the 300th location to open domestically as well as the 40th location in California, with the most recent opening being in Rancho Cucamonga back in March.
Customers stand in line to order as the Shake Shack has a family and friends opening at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. It is the company’s first store in Orange County and will open to the public on May 26th. It is also Shake Shack’s 40th store in the state and 300th store in the country. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A lemonade, ShackBurger and fries on a serving tray at the Shake Shack at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. It is the company’s first store in Orange County and will open to the public on May 26th. It is also Shake Shack’s 40th store in the state and 300th store in the country. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Shake Shack at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. It is the company’s first store in Orange County and will open to the public on May 26th. It is also Shake Shack’s 40th store in the state and 300th store in the country. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mindy Lee, right, of Fullerton, along with her children: Benji, 7, Audrey, 10, Sophia, 5, and Melody, 1, eat their lunch as the Shake Shack has a family and friends opening at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. It is the company’s first store in Orange County and will open to the public on May 26th. It is also Shake Shack’s 40th store in the state and 300th store in the country. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A girls rides her scooter past the Shake Shack at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. It is the company’s first store in Orange County and will open to the public on May 26th. It is also Shake Shack’s 40th store in the state and 300th store in the country. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A woman places her order on a touch screen as the Shake Shack has a family and friends opening at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. It is the company’s first store in Orange County and will open to the public on May 26th. It is also Shake Shack’s 40th store in the state and 300th store in the country. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mindy Lee of Fullerton, along with her children, place their order on a touch screen as the Shake Shack has a family and friends opening at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. It is the company’s first store in Orange County and will open to the public on May 26th. It is also Shake Shack’s 40th store in the state and 300th store in the country. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A woman places her order as the Shake Shack has a family and friends opening at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. It is the company’s first store in Orange County and will open to the public on May 26th. It is also Shake Shack’s 40th store in the state and 300th store in the country. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
With a mural on the wall of the restaurant serves as a backdrop for a lemonade, ShackBurger and fries on a tray at the Shake Shack at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. It is the company’s first store in Orange County and will open to the public on May 26th. It is also Shake Shack’s 40th store in the state and 300th store in the country. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A woman places her order on a touch screen as the Shake Shack has a family and friends opening at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. It is the company’s first store in Orange County and will open to the public on May 26th. It is also Shake Shack’s 40th store in the state and 300th store in the country. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Touch screens are available to place an order in the Shake Shack at the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. It is the company’s first store in Orange County and will open to the public on May 26th. It is also Shake Shack’s 40th store in the state and 300th store in the country. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“We received so much demand that it was a natural next step,” said Shake Shack Culinary Director Mark Rosati. “We really admired Orange County’s rich and diverse food scene. Collaboration is a core aspect of our brand and we are really excited to get to know everyone.”
Customers can expect the traditional Shake Shack experience but with the added flare of Orange County culture, according to Rosati. That will include featuring local artists in the restaurant and developing unique menu items, he said.
An exclusive feature of the Irvine location is the OC Dreamsicle Shake, a vanilla custard and orange soda shake meant to transport customers to the beach with one sip. And 5% of sales from every OC Dreamsicle will be donated directly to the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
“Creating uplifting experiences for our guests is one of our top priorities,” Rosati said. “We take pride in being able to bring fun and often unexpected collaborations that elevate the guest experience and raise the bar from a culinary perspective.”
And then there will be limited-edition items added to the menu such as white truffle delicacies as well as a veggie burger and non-dairy chocolate shake, recently added to the core menu.
“We’re particularly excited about the Veggie Shack, which is made with seasonal vegetables found in the garden as opposed to processed ingredients,” said Rosati.
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To celebrate the inaugural Orange County Shake Shack, the owners are hosting a silent auction and housewarming event on Friday, May 25 with 100% of proceeds benefiting the Huntington State Beach Junior Lifeguard Association via the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
“It’s important that any new Shack adds value to the neighborhood where it launches,” said Rosati.
Additional openings are on the horizon with the chain planning for two new locations in Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa.
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