Shake Shack is making its foray into the US casino dining sector through a new licensing agreement with PENN Entertainment, which will see the popular fast-casual brand establish a presence in 10 gaming venues nationwide.

The inaugural Shake Shack outlets as part of this collaboration are set to launch at Hollywood Casino in Toledo, Ohio, and River City Casino Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. Both locations are projected to open in 2026, subject to receiving the necessary regulatory approvals.

This expansion marks an exciting new chapter for Shake Shack, as it seeks to broaden its footprint beyond traditional urban locations, airports, and sports arenas.

“Shake Shack is excited to join forces with PENN Entertainment to unveil ten amazing Shack locations and make a significant entry into the entertainment sector,” expressed Michael Kark, President of Global Licensing at Shake Shack. “We are creating fresh opportunities to introduce our exceptional selection of quality ingredients and friendly service to a broader audience.”

The River City Casino outlet will complement an existing network of Shake Shack restaurants in the St. Louis region, which includes branches in Central West End, Des Peres, Chesterfield, Ladue, as well as concessions at the Enterprise Center and Lambert International Airport. An additional restaurant is also in the pipeline near Sunset Hills.

PENN Entertainment, which boasts 43 gaming properties across 20 states, is integrating the Shake Shack brand into its strategy to enhance food and beverage offerings at its casino venues.

This partnership enhances PENN’s portfolio of gaming, digital sports, and hospitality, featuring well-known brands like Hollywood Casino, L’Auberge, ESPN BET, and theScore. PENN also operates a customer loyalty program, maintaining its proprietary content and betting platform.

Additionally, Shake Shack, which began its journey in 2004 in Madison Square Park, New York, has expanded to over 590 locations globally, including more than 380 across the United States. The chain’s signature menu features burgers, chicken sandwiches, hand-spun shakes, fries, lemonades, beer, and wine. The company has yet to reveal if the casino outlets will feature tailored menus or specialized formats.

No specific timeline has been provided for the introduction of the remaining eight casino locations under this licensing collaboration.