Shake Shack valued at nearly $2bn as shares soar in market debut

Shares hit $52.49 in the first few minutes of trading on the New York Stock Exchange

Shake Shack opened its first permanent kiosk in 2004 and can now be found in 63 locations around the world (Getty )

Fast food connoisseurs are demanding higher quality these days and it seems Shake Shack’s Angus beef burgers and frozen custard milkshakes are hitting the spot – because the chain was valued at nearly $2 billion (£1.3 billion) in its market debut.

Shares in the fast casual restaurant rocketed 150 per cent to $52.49 (£35) in the first few minutes of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, before falling back to $48 (£32).

In its initial public offering on Thursday Shake Shack, which originated from a hot dog cart in Manhattan’s Madison Square Park, raised $105 million (£70 million) after it sold five million shares at $21 (£14). Demand from investors had raised the figure above an expected price range of $17 to $19 per share – and way above the $14 to $16 originally set by underwriters JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley.

Founded by Daniel Meyer in 2001, Shake Shack opened its first permanent kiosk in 2004 and can now be found in 63 locations around the world, including Moscow, Qatar and London’s Covent Garden. It has said it plans to open 10 company-operated restaurants in the US each year.

Meyer’s 21 per cent stake in the company was worth about $390 million during the highest point on Friday. The 56-year-old also owns New York restaurants Blue Smoke, Gramercy Tavern and Union Square Cafe.

Shake Shack’s success on the IPO market mirrors that of other fast casual restaurants, including Chipotle Mexican Grill. Chipotle’s shares, which were listed at $22 (£15) in 2006, closed at $714.53 (£476) on Thursday.

Described as a "cult", Shake Shack evidences the trend for customers to choose more expensive chains over the likes of struggling fast-food giant McDonald’s.

Sales at premium chains including Five Guys and Smashburger rose 9 per cent in 2013, according to restaurant consultancy Technomic Inc, while overall sales at all burger chains including McDonald's fell 1 per cent.