Shake Shack officially opened its first branch in Israel on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv, near Dizengoff Center on Tuesday, drawing crowds that stretched far down the block.
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The burgers served in Israel by the chain, which has arrived from the U.S., come from the Neto food import and marketing company owned by David Ezra, a major importer of Argentine meat products in Israel. Neto has been granted production rights of the burgers according to the original recipe of the American chain under its supervision, and they are made from quality Angus beef.
Negotiations to bring the Shake Shack chain to Israel began in 2020. One reason for the delay in its arrival was that, initially, the chain owners demanded that the burgers be imported from the U.S. to ensure the Israeli chain's loyalty to the source.
Only after it was clarified that importation was not feasible did the international chain acquiesce and decide to allow burger production in Israel, with Neto chosen as the burger supplier. The buns are imported by Ben and Jerry's Israel, which also supplies the ice cream featured in some of its famous shakes.
The chain, however, is not kosher, although the burgers are made from kosher meat. Long queues were recorded at the opening, with peaks lasting up to 70 minutes to reach the counter, paying prices higher than McDonald's and Burger King.
Prices ranged from 39 shekels to 69 shekels per double burger. Shake Shack will soon open another branch at the Tel Aviv Port, replacing Aroma, and is likely to open a branch in Sarona Market as well. According to the plans, 15 branches are expected to open in Israel by 2033. Worldwide, the chain, which grew from a hot dog stand in Madison Park in Manhattan, operates about 430 branches.