Star Burger, the fast-casual restaurant located at 4901 SW Eighth St., has entered into a partnership with the University of Miami Athletics to become the Official Burger of the Miami Hurricanes, a title that covers all of the university's sports teams. The agreement, announced on September 29, 2026, makes Star Burger the Official Burger of Miami Hurricanes Athletics for the 2026-2027 season, marking the restaurant's first tie to the university. This partnership matters because it positions a newly opened local business as a central gathering spot for fans while embedding the brand into the fabric of a major collegiate sports program.
At the heart of the collaboration is the Canes Burger, a double-stacked creation made with 100% U.S. grass-fed and grass-finished beef patties, smashed to order and topped with aged Cheddar cheese, a crunchy tostón round, and Star Burger's signature Cat 5 Sauce, all served on toasted Martin's potato buns. The burger was developed with input from Hurricanes star Malachi Toney, who gave it his approval. Its design reflects University of Miami Athletics in its own colors: the Cat 5 pesto brings a deep green, while the crunchy tostón round adds bright golden orange, so the burger arrives from the kitchen in full Hurricanes colors. Each topping was chosen deliberately for the partnership. "We wanted Miami Athletics and the Estrella family to come through in the flavors, with the American cheddar for UM and Cuban plantains for the family," said Gianluca Piccolo, general manager of Star Burger. "The idea for pesto sauce came from my own Italian roots, and it ties all the flavors together."
The Canes Burger is a permanent menu item, not a limited run tied to the season. "We built this one to stay," said Joey Estrella, president of Star Burger. "Partnering with University of Miami Athletics is an honor for our family, and we wanted to give it something more than a name on a menu board. This burger will be here long after the season ends." That permanence signals a deeper commitment to the Miami community and to the university's fan base, rather than a fleeting promotional gimmick.
Since the burger went on the menu, customers have been ordering it by name. "We have people come in every day, asking for the Canes Burger," Piccolo said. "The sauce is different from anything else on the menu, and they want to try it." This early demand suggests the partnership is already driving foot traffic and building a loyal following. In addition, Star Burger will broadcast Miami Hurricanes football games live all season long, inviting fans to stop in, try the burger, and cheer on The "U" with fellow Canes fans. That move transforms the restaurant into a de facto game-day hub, which could boost sales and community engagement throughout the season.
The partnership also highlights Star Burger's rapid growth. The Miami location, which opened less than two months before the announcement, is 2,750 square feet and sits on the corner of Granada and Tamiami Trail, just minutes from campus. It features interior seating, plus a 750-square-foot covered and ventilated terrace overlooking the Granada stone-arched entrance to Coral Gables, and ample parking. The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 am to 11:30 pm. For more information on Star Burger, visit Star Burger.
Ultimately, the partnership matters because it demonstrates how a local, family-driven business can align with a major athletic brand to create a lasting product and a shared fan experience. By making the Canes Burger a permanent fixture and offering a place to watch games, Star Burger is not just selling a burger; it is building a relationship with the University of Miami community that could pay dividends for years to come.
