Tanger Outlets Foley Set for Major Renovation With New Restaurant and Entertainment Experience
Tanger, a leading owner and operator of outlet and open-air retail shopping destinations, is bringing a new dining and entertainment experience to Tanger Outlets Foley in southern Alabama. As part of an extensive transformation of the shopping center, Tanger has secured Shake Shack as the first restaurant in a planned lineup of elevated food, beverage, and entertainment concepts designed to give visitors more reasons to stay, socialize, and return.
The redevelopment marks a significant step forward in Tanger’s efforts to modernize the more than 500,000-square-foot shopping center while maintaining the coastal character that has helped make Tanger Foley a popular destination for both local residents and visitors to the Gulf Coast. Construction on the renovation began earlier this year, with the project focused on creating a more contemporary, experiential environment that combines shopping, dining, entertainment, and social spaces.
A major component of the redevelopment will be the addition of approximately 20,000 square feet of dedicated food and beverage space. Tanger expects the expanded area to provide opportunities for as many as eight new dining concepts, creating a diverse mix of restaurants and experiences within the center.
Shake Shack will serve as the first confirmed addition to this new dining lineup. The internationally recognized restaurant brand is known for its elevated interpretation of American classics, including made-to-order burgers, Crinkle Cut fries, frozen custard, and other menu offerings. The new Shake Shack at Tanger Foley is expected to become an important part of the center’s redesigned food and beverage environment.
The new location will also expand Shake Shack’s presence in Alabama. The brand currently operates only one other location in the state, making the Tanger Foley restaurant an important addition to its Alabama footprint. It will bring Shake Shack’s 100% Angus beef burgers, signature Crinkle Cut fries, and frozen custards to consumers across the greater Gulf South market.
For Tanger, the addition of Shake Shack reflects a broader strategy to make its retail properties more engaging destinations rather than simply places to shop. The company has increasingly focused on incorporating food, beverage, entertainment, and experiential elements into its open-air shopping centers to encourage longer visits and increase repeat traffic.
Justin Stein, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at Tanger, said the company has been deliberate in introducing fresh and elevated food, beverage, and entertainment concepts throughout its portfolio. According to Stein, the strategy is particularly evident in the renovation and remerchandising of Tanger Foley, where Tanger is developing a carefully selected combination of retail and dining brands.
The company’s goal is to create an environment that appeals to both the center’s tourist audience and the surrounding local community. Foley and the broader Gulf Coast region attract visitors throughout the year, while the center also serves residents looking for shopping, dining, and entertainment close to home. By expanding its food and beverage offerings, Tanger aims to create a destination capable of serving both groups.
Hugo Gilbert, Senior Director of Leasing – Restaurants and Entertainment at Tanger, described Shake Shack’s arrival as the beginning of a new approach to dining at Tanger Foley. The company plans to continue adding national, regional, and local restaurant concepts that complement the center’s retail offerings and contribute to a more vibrant social environment.
The redesigned dining areas will feature expansive patios, walkable dining zones, and integrated gathering spaces. These features are intended to make the restaurant area more than a collection of individual businesses. Instead, Tanger envisions a connected dining environment where visitors can eat, meet friends and family, relax, and spend additional time at the center.
The emphasis on outdoor and social spaces is particularly suited to Foley’s coastal setting. By incorporating patios and pedestrian-friendly gathering areas into the redevelopment, Tanger can take advantage of the region’s climate and create an atmosphere designed for use throughout different parts of the day.
The project is also expected to strengthen the overall connection between the shopping center’s retail and dining offerings. Visitors may be able to combine outlet shopping with meals, refreshments, entertainment, and social activities in a single visit. Tanger believes this broader mix can help transform Foley into a more dynamic destination that remains active beyond traditional shopping hours.
The redevelopment is part of a larger evolution in the retail industry, where shopping centers are increasingly incorporating restaurants and experiential destinations to respond to changing consumer preferences. Retailers and property owners are placing greater emphasis on creating environments where customers can spend time and participate in experiences rather than simply completing purchases.
For Tanger Foley, the addition of Shake Shack represents the first major announcement in what is expected to become a broader transformation. With space planned for up to eight new dining concepts, the center has opportunities to attract a variety of operators, ranging from well-known national brands to distinctive regional and local restaurants.
Tanger is actively seeking additional restaurant operators that can contribute to the center’s evolving identity. The company is looking for concepts that are distinctive, experience-driven, and capable of complementing the shopping center’s retail mix.
As construction continues, the transformation is expected to reshape the visitor experience at Tanger Foley while preserving the destination’s existing coastal appeal. The combination of new restaurants, expanded outdoor areas, gathering spaces, and refreshed retail offerings is designed to position the center as a more complete lifestyle destination for the Gulf Coast region.
The arrival of Shake Shack provides an early indication of the type of dining experience Tanger intends to introduce. With its recognizable brand, made-to-order menu, and emphasis on a contemporary dining atmosphere, the restaurant is positioned to help establish the tone for the center’s expanded food and beverage offering.
Ultimately, Tanger’s transformation of Foley is designed to create a destination where shopping is only one part of the experience. By investing in dining, entertainment, outdoor gathering areas, and experiential spaces, Tanger aims to encourage visitors to stay longer, return more frequently, and engage with the property in new ways.
With Shake Shack confirmed as the first restaurant in the redevelopment’s new lineup, Tanger Foley’s transformation is moving into a new phase. As additional food, beverage, and entertainment concepts are announced, the project is expected to further establish the shopping center as a destination that blends retail, dining, social experiences, and Gulf Coast character.
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