Calgary's streak of landing major American food chains continues. Shake Shack confirmed Monday it will open on the upper level of CF Chinook Centre on Macleod Trail SW, marking the brand's first location in Western Canada and its first Canadian restaurant outside of Ontario.
No firm opening date has been announced beyond "this spring."
What's Coming to Chinook Centre
Shake Shack Canada is a partnership between two Canadian-based private investment companies Osmington Inc. and Harlo Entertainment Inc. formed in 2023. The company currently operates seven Ontario locations and has plans to open at least 35 locations nationwide.
"Since launching in Canada in 2024, Alberta has always been on our radar and we are excited for our launch,"
said Billy Richmond, business director at Shake Shack Canada.
"Shake Shack is more than a burger spot it's a neighbourhood hub to celebrate delicious food and community. We can't wait to serve up our signature menu items along with some Calgary exclusives."
The Menu
The menu will include Shake Shack's signature ShackBurgers made with 100 per cent Alberta beef, along with chicken burgers, hot dogs, crinkle cut fries, milkshakes, frozen custards, and concretes. The company has also promised Calgary-exclusive menu items, though specifics haven't been released.
When the chain launched in Toronto, Canadian exclusives included the Maple Salted Pretzel Shake and several local concrete flavours a hint at what Calgary might expect.
A Local Artist Is Behind the Interior
The Chinook location will feature an original mural by Calgary-based artist Irene Neyman, known for her use of bright colours and simple shapes. Her work has previously been commissioned by brands including Google, and this marks Shake Shack's first creative collaboration in Alberta.
"Shake Shack has such a strong sense of personality, so it was exciting to translate that through a local lens,"
Neyman said.
"The mural is meant to feel playful, welcoming, and connected to Calgary a space people want to spend time in."
How Shake Shack Got Here
Shake Shack got its start as a hot dog cart in New York City's Madison Square Park in 2001 before opening its first permanent storefront in 2004, eventually growing into a globally recognized fast-casual brand. It launched in Canada in 2024 with its first Toronto location at Yonge and Dundas, drawing enormous lineups on opening day.
Calgary Has Been Here Before
This isn't the first time a major American chain has caused a stir in the city. When Chick-fil-A opened in southwest Calgary, some customers waited more than two hours to get in. Last June, a Cochrane man camped out overnight to be the first customer at Calgary’s new Krispy Kreme.
Whether Shake Shack draws the same crowds remains to be seen, but Calgary's appetite for new American chains hasn't shown any signs of slowing down.
More details on the opening will be released in the coming weeks.
Source: Shake Shack Canada official press release, March 16, 2026 globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/03/16/3256471/0/en/Shake-Shack-Expands-to-Western-Canada.html
