Skinny Louie started in Wynwood, Miami, last November. Now, it is heading north to New York City, with plans to open at 1145 Broadway in February.
The fast-casual brand, which features a simple menu consisting of only three burgers, three shakes and fries, has been expanding rapidly since its inception. It currently has three locations open in the Miami market, with its most recent opening in Little Havana just last week. It also has four more Florida locations in the works in addition to the spot on Broadway, according to the Skinny Louie website.
Co-founder Gonzalo Rubino told What Now New York that the quality of the product has fueled Skinny Louie’s growth, and he expects it to do the same in the New York market. While he has identified a few competitors, he is confident that the Skinny Louie smashburger will stand out.
“Our main goal is to expand our brand and keep a high-quality standard on our product,” Rubio said. “We serve Black Angus beef, fresh meat, never frozen. We use high-quality ice cream for our milkshakes, and we have our sauce that we make in house daily that is very popular.”
The 1,200-square-foot space on Broadway will be similar in design to existing Skinny Louie locations. Customers can expect white tiles and an emphasis on red coloring in the interior. There will also be mirrors and an open kitchen.
Rubino said the team recently started construction on the spot. However, the expansion for Skinny Louie in the New York market will not end there. Rubino said they are already looking for new locations, ultimately aiming to open three spots in the New York market. Right now, they are still working on securing additional spaces.
“We’re excited because it’s a new market and we know we have a lot of people following our brand, and they aren’t able to get our food,” Rubino said. “By having at least one location in the market, everyone can go and try our product.”
