The Halal Shack Will Open at Michigan Union
The restaurant will replace a former Subway location in the University of Michigan Union by winter 2027.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Halal Shack is set to open in the University of Michigan Union in winter 2027. This follows the permanent closure of the Subway location that previously occupied the space after its lease ended in April 2026.
Why it matters
The addition of The Halal Shack fulfills a selection process involving student advisory boards aimed at choosing a vendor focused on uniting people through food. It represents a shift in the dining options available within the university hub.
The Halal Shack replaces a Subway storefront that was one of nine locations formerly operating in Ann Arbor. The selection follows a formal Request for Proposal process conducted by the university.
The players
The Halal Shack
The Halal Shack is a restaurant chain known for its mission to unite diverse groups of people through food.
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university that manages the student union building and its commercial tenants.
The details
University officials and student advisory boards participated in the selection process to determine the new tenant for the space. The transition marks the latest change in the Union's food court following the closure of multiple establishments across Ann Arbor in recent years.
Timeline
Subway's lease at the Michigan Union ended in April 2026.
Buffalo Wild Wings and Bruegger's Bagels closed in Ann Arbor in May 2026.
The Halal Shack is scheduled to open in the winter 2027 semester.
Market Landscape
The replacement of a long-standing national franchise with The Halal Shack continues the trend of diversifying food options within the University of Michigan Union. This move follows the 2024 opening of Wing Snob as the university rotates its commercial tenants to better serve the campus population.
Students and faculty can expect a new dining option to become available on campus by the winter 2027 semester. This change replaces a previous national fast-food tenant with a vendor selected specifically for community-oriented dining.
The takeaway
The rotation of vendors at the University of Michigan Union reflects an ongoing effort to align on-campus dining with student preferences. Readers should anticipate continued adjustments to the local retail environment as the university manages its commercial properties.
Further reading
For more updates on local retail and dining, see Ann Arbor Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Michigan Daily.
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