Steak `n Shake Goes Global With UAE Deal

Expansion seems to be in the cards for Steak n’ Shake, which will debut its first units outside the U.S. next year. The diner-style burger chain founded in Normal, Ill., in 1934 opened its first New York City outpost last January and now it’s inked a deal to go worldwide—or at least expand from the Midwest to the Middle East.

Next year, under a partnership with Saleh Bin Lahej Group, Steak `n Shake will open the first of 40 restaurants across the United Arab Emirates, a seven-state federation that includes the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Steak `n Shake is owned by San Antonio, Texas-based Biglari Holdings, which is led by activist investor Sardar Biglari.