Food & Beverage | Shake Shack plans to open 14 stores in HK, Macau

Shake Shack Inc. is stirring up shares of SSI Group Inc. after the burger chain founded in New York selected the upscale Philippine retailer as its local partner.

News that the world famous ShackBurger will be served in Manila beginning in the spring of 2019 sent shares of licensee SSI rising as much as 18 percent, the most in more than two years. Volume surged more than 3,500 percent above the stock’s three-month daily average.

Shake Shack, in a statement, said it selected SSI Group as its Philippine partner because of its retail expertise and culture of hospitality. SSI is the largest retailer of luxury brands like Hermes, Prada and Gucci in the Southeast Asian nation and has also expanded into dining through TWG Tea and Salad Stop!.

The New York burger chain is expanding in Asia as the U.S. market becomes saturated. Shake Shack last year said it plans to open 14 stores in Hong Kong and Macau through 2027. Singapore is also getting its first Shake Shack at Changi Airport’s newest terminal, The Straits Times reported.

“Manila is an incredible city; its heart beats with a distinct warmth and hospitality,” said Michael Kark, vice president of global licensing at Shake Shack, in a statement. “We are excited to begin the search for our first site in Metro Manila.” Bloomberg