Shake Shack Will Open First Iowa Location by 2028
The popular burger chain will arrive in Council Bluffs as part of the new $200 million Hollywood Casino Hotel project.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Gambling
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Shake Shack plans to open its first Iowa location inside the new Hollywood Casino Hotel in Council Bluffs in 2028. This upcoming restaurant will serve as one of two dining options within the new gaming facility.
Why it matters
The burger chain's expansion into Iowa reflects a broader trend of integrating national dining brands into large-scale regional casino developments. This move adds a recognizable food option to the new entertainment complex currently under construction.
The new casino facility will span 135,000 square feet, including 58,000 square feet of gaming space featuring 1,000 slot machines and 25 live table games. Shake Shack currently operates more than 700 locations globally.
The players
Shake Shack
This global fast-casual restaurant chain began as a kiosk in Madison Square Park.
Hollywood Casino Hotel
This new gaming facility is a $200 million construction project in Council Bluffs.
Danny Meyer
He is the restaurateur who founded the burger chain as a hot dog cart in 2001.
The details
The facility is currently being built to consolidate gaming, dining, and entertainment into a single land-based footprint along the Missouri River. The project is projected to cost up to $200 million and will feature over 160 hotel rooms alongside the new dining venues.
Timeline
2001: Danny Meyer started Shake Shack as a hot dog cart.
2004: Shake Shack returned as a permanent kiosk.
2015: Shake Shack went public.
September 2026: Construction started on the new casino facility.
2028: Shake Shack's planned Iowa debut.
Culture Shift
This development aligns with the industry-wide trend of integrating national fast-casual brands into commercial casino resorts to attract broader demographics. It reflects a shift away from traditional isolated gaming halls toward comprehensive destination entertainment complexes.
Local residents and visitors in Council Bluffs will gain access to the national chain once the new facility reaches completion in 2028. The addition of the restaurant provides a new dining option for those visiting the casino's gaming floor and hotel.
The takeaway
The project signals a significant investment in the local Council Bluffs entertainment infrastructure. Residents can look forward to expanded dining choices as the construction of the new casino hotel progresses through the coming years.
Further reading
For more information on the regional gaming landscape, visit the Council Bluffs section.
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Does the arrival of a national fast-casual chain improve your local dining options?
