Antagonisms between China and the United States didn’t stop Beijing's burger lovers from standing in line for hours for a bite of Shake Shack's snacks.
The New York burger brand opened its first restaurant in the Chinese capital on Wednesday in Beijing's TaiKoo Li, a shopping area popular among young people.
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Antagonisms between China and the United States didn’t stop Beijing's burger lovers from standing in line for hours for a bite of Shake Shack's snacks.
Nearly 200 customers wound around the Beijing restaurant ahead of its 10:30 a.m. opening.
Shake Shack broke ground in the capital city at a time when U.S. business in China is facing growing uncertainty as friction grows between the world’s two biggest economies.
“What we eat should not be politicized, as long as they are delicious,” He said.
Workers prepare food at the Beijing outlet for Shake Shack in Beijing on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The U.S. headquartered burger chain is opening its first Beijing restaurant at a time when China and the U.S. are at loggerheads over a long list of issues. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)
Workers attend to customers at the opening of the first Beijing outlet for Shake Shack in Beijing on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The U.S. headquartered burger chain is opening its first Beijing restaurant at a time when China and the U.S. are at loggerheads over a long list of issues. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)
Workers cheer as the first customer pose for photos with gifts at the opening of the first Beijing outlet for Shake Shack in Beijing on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The U.S. headquartered burger chain is opening its first Beijing restaurant at a time when China and the U.S. are at loggerheads over a long list of issues. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)
Workers practice their cheer before the opening of the first Beijing outlet for Shake Shack in Beijing Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The U.S. headquartered burger chain is opening its first Beijing restaurant at a time when China and the US are at loggerheads over a long list of issues. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)
Residents line up as they wait for the opening of Shake Shack's first Beijing outlet in Beijing Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The U.S. headquartered burger chain is opening its first Beijing restaurant at a time when China and the US are at loggerheads over a long list of issues. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)
Shake Shack opened its first restaurant in mainland China in Shanghai last year.
Workers serve beer at the opening of the first Beijing outlet for Shake Shack in Beijing on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The U.S. headquartered burger chain is opening its first Beijing restaurant at a time when China and the U.S. are at loggerheads over a long list of issues. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)
Nearly 200 customers wound around the Beijing restaurant ahead of its 10:30 a.m. opening.
Yang Fan, 18, said she got to there at around 6 a.m. and was first in line. She said was impressed by the flavor a few years ago while on a study tour in the U.S..
“So when I heard about Shake Shack to open a restaurant in Beijing I was very excited. I came very early to queue up,” Yang said.
Customers leave with their purchase at the opening of the first Beijing outlet for Shake Shack in Beijing on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The U.S. headquartered burger chain is opening its first Beijing restaurant at a time when China and the U.S. are at loggerheads over a long list of issues. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)
Shake Shack broke ground in the capital city at a time when U.S. business in China is facing growing uncertainty as friction grows between the world’s two biggest economies.
“Although we are Chinese, we should not discriminate against U.S. brands, because it (government-level tensions) have nothing to do with its people,” Yang said.
He Xiaolin, a financial worker waiting for his first try of a Shake Shack burger, agreed.
Visitors line up in the rain for the opening of the first Beijing outlet for Shake Shack in Beijing on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The U.S. headquartered burger chain is opening its first Beijing restaurant at a time when China and the U.S. are at loggerheads over a long list of issues. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)
“What we eat should not be politicized, as long as they are delicious,” He said.
Visitors line up in the rain for the opening of the first Beijing outlet for Shake Shack in Beijing on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The U.S. headquartered burger chain is opening its first Beijing restaurant at a time when China and the U.S. are at loggerheads over a long list of issues. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)
Workers prepare food at the Beijing outlet for Shake Shack in Beijing on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The U.S. headquartered burger chain is opening its first Beijing restaurant at a time when China and the U.S. are at loggerheads over a long list of issues. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)
Workers attend to customers at the opening of the first Beijing outlet for Shake Shack in Beijing on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The U.S. headquartered burger chain is opening its first Beijing restaurant at a time when China and the U.S. are at loggerheads over a long list of issues. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)
Workers cheer as the first customer pose for photos with gifts at the opening of the first Beijing outlet for Shake Shack in Beijing on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The U.S. headquartered burger chain is opening its first Beijing restaurant at a time when China and the U.S. are at loggerheads over a long list of issues. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)
Workers practice their cheer before the opening of the first Beijing outlet for Shake Shack in Beijing Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The U.S. headquartered burger chain is opening its first Beijing restaurant at a time when China and the US are at loggerheads over a long list of issues. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)
Residents line up as they wait for the opening of Shake Shack's first Beijing outlet in Beijing Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The U.S. headquartered burger chain is opening its first Beijing restaurant at a time when China and the US are at loggerheads over a long list of issues. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)