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Australian Open forced to defend ‘rip off’ prices as US food chain sparks outrage with inflated demands
Australian Open fans are beefing after Shake Shack’s eye-watering prices were revealed.
The US chain, which began life as a New York hot dog stand in 2001, is making its debut Down Under at the tournament.
It is an opportunity to reach a brand new audience, but the cost has put some off at an event which already had a reputation for high prices.
Shake Shack food prices at Australian Open cause a storm
Burgers range from $18.90 to $25 ($12.70 to $16.70 in USD), while fries going from $9.75 to $12.50 in the local currency.
Milkshakes are $12.90 and $13.90 and bottled water is $5.95.
A person ordering a burger, fries and a shake could spend $51.40 ($34.39 in USD).
Fans compared the pricing to airports, and branded them a ‘rip off’.
The Australian Open has since tried to justify the pricing.
“We work closely with our food and beverage partners to keep prices at the AO as close to what fans would find in their permanent restaurants and stores as possible,” a spokesperson told news.com.au.
“As a temporary pop-up, operating Shake Shack in Australia involves additional costs that do not apply to permanent restaurants.
“This includes higher local costs of goods and labour and the construction of a fully functioning temporary kitchen to meet Australian standards.”
Food influencer and TikTok user @dub.eats.everything insisted the outlay was worth it and hoped to see a full-time location open up.
“I feel like I’m in New York back on a summer’s day in Madison Square Park,” he said in a video review.
“It tastes just like the US…hopefully we see a store (in Australia) soon.”
On the court, Sebastian Ofner made headlines with a dramatic exit from qualifying after thinking he had won his match.
The Austrian started celebrating having taken a 7-1 lead over Nishesh Basavareddy in a third-set tie-break.
He was informed by the umpire that final sets went to 10 points and had to resume the match.
American Basavareddy won eight of the next nine points and ultimately sealed a 4-6 6-4 7-6 (13-11) victory before hitting a ‘choke’ celebration.
“In a super [match] tie-break, you always have a chance, so I kept believing,” the 20-year-old said.
“I saw him tense up a little bit, but the balls were quite old there, so every rally was a war.”
Basavareddy will face Britain’s George Loffhagen for a place in the main draw.
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