[EXCLUSIVE] New York Burger Joint to Supplant Wahlburgers at The Battery Atlanta

ToNeTo Atlanta has learned that Shake Shack (NYSE: SHAK) plans to open a new location at The Battery Atlanta.  The new restaurant, planned for 455 Legends Place, would replace Wahlburgers, which is due to close this Sunday, November 3.  

As we hinted in our report on the Wahlburgers closure, the development likely already had a restaurant replacement lined up and multiple readers and real estate source later confirmed it to be Shake Shack.  Interestingly, it was also revealed that Shake Shack had in 2016 been in lease negotiations for the space in question, but the Braves ultimately leased to Wahlburgers instead. 

A representative from Shack Shack did not immediately respond to ToNeTo Atlanta's request for comment but we believe the restaurant to be targeting a Spring 2025 opening ahead of the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.    

The Wahlburgers space at The Battery is likely familiar to Rob Lynch, who in May was named Shake Shack's CEO, having been poached from Papa Johns whose headquarters are at The Battery.  

The burger chain has in recent weeks been targeting would-be patrons of Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A with an ongoing promotion awarding a free fried chicken sandwich to diners who make a minimum $10 purchase on Sundays through December 15.  

Shake Shack, which got its start as a food cart in New York's Madison Square Park in 2004, has today grown into a publicly traded company with more than 350 locations across the country and more than 550 worldwide.  The company did close nine "underperforming" units this past August including six in California.    

In metro Atlanta, Shake Shack currently operates eight units: Buckhead Village District in Buckhead, Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody, EDGE on the Atlanta BeltLine in Old Fourth Ward, Concourse A of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Lenox Square in Buckhead, Alpharetta Crossing in Alpharetta, Piedmont Park, and their newest location at Westside Provisions District in West Midtown which opened in December 2022.  The Westside location, as at The Battery, replaced another burger joint: YEAH! Burger.  

The company opened its first drive-thru in December 2021 and debuted the model in metro Atlanta in February 2022 when the company opened in a converted Burger King in Alpharetta.  

Shake Shack had sought in 2023 to open a new drive-thru enabled restaurant along State Bridge Road in Johns Creek, but its plans were ultimately thwarted by a 100-year-old tree that would have to have been removed to make way for the eatery.       

On October 30, Shake Shack released its Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results where it saw total revenue of $316.9 million, up 14.7% versus 2023 and system-wide sales of $495.1 million, up 12.8% versus 2023.  

The company did not indicate its 2025 store opening plans but did say it opened eight new Company-operated Shacks, including three drive-thrus, and also opened nine new licensed Shacks during the Third Quarter.

Are you excited about the planned opening of Shake Shack at The Battery Atlanta?  What is your favorite quick-serve burger joint?  Where would you like to see Shake Shack open next?    

Please share your thoughts below.