Edmonton’s ‘Jack’s Burger Shack’ up for sale, owners looking to retire

Chef Tu Le can still remember the taste of a burger from his childhood. After coming to Canada from Vietnam, their mom would prepare staff meals for him and his brother in the restaurant where she worked. This is where the love started.

“We just had this passion and love for burgers after we tasted one. The restaurant my mom worked at didn’t serve burgers. They were just the meals they would make for all the staff. That was our introduction to the Canadian burger”, Le said.

Being surrounded by the restaurant business most of his life, he fell into this career. Le and his brother opened Jack’s Burger Shack in St. Albert about 13 years ago, named after Le’s nephew. The vision for it was simple: locally sourced food and a smashed patty.

“When we first opened, smashing burger patties was new to our area. Some people loved it, others didn’t really understand it. But that was the goal we were always going for, it’s how we cook burgers at home,” Le remembered.

After getting strong community support, expansion was on the mind. In 2021, a second location opened on Edmonton’s Jasper Avenue and saw similar success.

Regulars at one point included the Edmonton Oilers coaching staff during the 2024 Stanley Cup playoff run.

But after 28 years in the restaurant business, it’s time to change course. Le and his brother have put Jack’s brand and locations up for sale.

For his reasoning, Le didn’t say the economy or any outside factor. He wants to retire and spend more time with his young family.

“The passion isn’t gone. I love it, but I love my family even more”, he said. “We never thought it would reach this kind of potential. I feel more potential can still be reached. It’s just our time to walk away, and finding the right person or group to take over has been very important.

Le’s wishlist for the right owner includes keeping the same community passion and taking care of about 30 staff members.

When the new owner arrives, would Le come for a bite to eat so he can savour the warm bun and smashed patty?

“Of course. Regularly,” he said.