Shake Shack Opens in Moscow Tomorrow

Tomorrow the expansion-minded folks at Shake Shack will be one step closer to world domination when their first-ever Moscow location opens in the city's center. Shake Shack tweets that the doors to their only location in Russia will open tomorrow at 11 a.m. local time. As is standard, the Shack has added some local flavor to the menu. According to Bloomberg, there are Russian beer-battered fried shallots and the custard incorporates "a preference for" marshmallows and walnuts. Pork sausages and bacon are also sourced locally. Pricing is a bit different, with ShackBurgers going for 235 rubles (US $7.15), which is 50% higher than in New York City.

This isn't the first international expansion for the burger chain; they already have locations open in London, Istanbul, Dubai, and other cities in the Middle East. Opening in Russia is an interesting choice, considering the current scandal surrounding the country's laws regarding homosexuality. Stoli has been getting the boycott treatment from US customers; is Shake Shack opening itself up to the same?

While some folks on Twitter have raised those concerns regarding Shake Shack's choice to open in Russia, plenty of others on social media have been posting photos of the almost-open restaurant. (Perhaps from a quiet soft opening?) Have a look at the Shake Shack Moscow website and check out choice pictures below for sneak peek at the Moscow location:

[Photo: Shake Shack]

Sochi bobsled @shakeshack team @dhmeyer crew chief pic.twitter.com/uTCiII4G1U

— Randy Garutti (@randygarutti) December 18, 2013

@shakeshack Russia opens in two days!! @ShakeShackRus pic.twitter.com/d8VC95UKON

— Randy Garutti (@randygarutti) December 17, 2013

Gives new meaning to "Frozen" custard calendar. @ShakeShackRus @shakeshack Can you translate? pic.twitter.com/aC1u9tpWZH

— Randy Garutti (@randygarutti) December 18, 2013

Burgers start sizzlin' & all aglow on beautiful Old Arbat as we prep to open 1st Moscow Shack, Thurs 12/19, 11am pic.twitter.com/MtewSwtKGy

— SHAKE SHACK (@shakeshack) December 18, 2013

! @shakeshack coming to #Moscow! Hope it'll taste like home. But if McDonalds is slow here hope this won't be slower pic.twitter.com/nmpqG38H7S

— Kirit Radia (@KiritRadia) November 5, 2013

[Photo: Yashar M./Foursquare]

[Photo: Foursquare]

[Photo: Alexey P./Foursquare]

· Shake Shack Comes to Russia Two Decades After McDonald's [Bloomberg via @qualityrye]
· Shake Shack Is Opening in Moscow This Winter [-E-]
· All Shake Shack Coverage on Eater [-E-]