Birmingham, Alabama, The Summit, Shake Shack, Birmingham Shake Shack — Photo via Shake Shack’s Facebook page

Clear the way for the stampede! The first-ever Alabama Shake Shack opens in Birmingham on Wednesday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. at The Summit, 200 Summit Blvd. The best part? Numbers 3, 4 and 5 on this list are all about local at this globally loved restaurant.

Birmingham, Alabama, The Summit, Shake Shack, Birmingham Shake Shack, 100 percent all-natural Angus beef burgers, crinkle fries — That’s a pretty picture. I bet the photo crew devoured it five minutes later. Photo via Shake Shack

1. American Food, Loved From London To Dubai

Shake Shack boasts 180 locations in 23 U.S. states and 70 international locations across the world. What do global fans love about Shake Shack? 100 percent all-natural Angus beef burgers, chicken sandwiches and griddled flat-top dogs (no hormones or antibiotics), crispy crinkle cut fries and fresh-made frozen custard.

Birmingham, Alabama, The Summit, Shake Shack, Birmingham Shake Shack, frozen custard — Creamy frozen custard as thick as concrete! Photo via Shake Shack

2. About That Frozen Custard

The Birmingham Shake Shack will churn out frozen treats their fans know and love, PLUS a unique selection of frozen custard “concretes”:

Pie Oh My: vanilla custard and slice of Four & Twenty Blackbirds seasonal pie
Birming Graham: vanilla custard, lemon curd, marshmallow sauce and graham crackers (extra points for the pun!)
Shack Attack: chocolate custard, fudge sauce, chocolate truffle cookie dough, dark chocolate chunks, topped with chocolate sprinkles

Birmingham, Alabama, The Summit, Shake Shack, Birmingham Shake Shack, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q — Cheers! Photo via Shake Shack

3. Sweet Home Ala… Wait, They Put Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q On Cheese Fries?!?

The Birmingham Shake Shack collaborated with Alabama favorite Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q on an exclusive local menu item: crinkle-cut fries topped with Big Bob Gibson’s pulled pork and cheese sauce. Giddy up!

Free food alert! The first 205 people in line when the Birmingham Shake Shack opens at 11 a.m. on Aug. 22 will receive a free order of Big Bob’s Cheese Fries!

Birmingham, Alabama, The Summit, Shake Shack, Birmingham Shake Shack, local beer — Local beer goes well with … everything. Photo via Shake Shack

4. Local Brews

Wash down that hearty meal with a beer from Avondale Brewing Co., Good People Brewing Co., Back Forty Beer Company or Cahaba Brewing Co. If you’d like some wine with that cheese(burger), Shake Shack serves a house red and white from the Gotham Project.

32313017 1916974958314598 4824600187378860032 n 7 reasons to cheer for Birmingham Shake Shack grand opening Wednesday, Aug. 22. First 205 customers get free Big Bob’s Cheese Fries! — Flow on, Cahaba River. Photo via Cahaba River Society’s Facebook page

5. Score For Cahaba River

Five percent of sales from the Pie Oh My concrete throughout the life of the shack benefit Cahaba River So ciety (if you needed another reason to order the Pie Oh My at Birmingham Shake Shack.)

Birmingham, Alabama, The Summit, Shake Shack, Birmingham Shake Shack, eco-friendly — That’s a mighty fine-looking repurposed-wood table (oh, and the chicken sandwich, too). Photo via Shake Shack

6. Eco-Friendly Construction

tabletops created from repurposed bowling alley lanes (cool idea!)
chairs made using sustainable materials
booths built from Forest Stewardship Council-certified lumber

Birmingham, Alabama, The Summit, Shake Shack — Looking for a job with a cool uniform? Photo via Shake Shack’s Facebook page

7. Birmingham Shake Shack is Hiring!

Full- and part-time positions are open, and no previous experience is required. Apply online at ShackCareers.com or text ShackAlabama to 77948.

Ahem, A Word

Now, I’m not saying there’s a right and wrong way to introduce a beloved burger joint franchise to Birmingham. But I think Shake Shack made a good decision here. Side-eye to you, Cook Out.

Learn more about Shake Shack at shakeshack.com, facebook.com/shakeshack, @shakeshack and @shakeshack.