Star Burger, located at 4901 SW Eighth St. in Miami, has entered into a partnership with the University of Miami Athletics to become the Official Burger of the Miami Hurricanes, a designation that spans all of the university’s sports teams. The announcement, made on September 29, 2026, marks the restaurant’s first tie to the university and comes less than two months after it opened its doors on Southwest Eighth Street, just minutes from campus. The partnership covers the 2026-2027 season, but its centerpiece—the Canes Burger—is a permanent menu item, not a limited run. This move matters because it signals a new model for local business engagement with collegiate athletics, one that goes beyond logo placement to create a lasting, community-oriented product.
The Canes Burger is double-stacked, 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 Martin’s potato buns, toasted to perfection. It pairs with the restaurant’s signature fries or Dillies, both fried exclusively in natural beef tallow for that unmistakable, healthier flavor. The burger was created with input from one of the Hurricanes’ own stars, Malachi Toney, who gave it his approval. It was designed to represent University of Miami Athletics in its own colors: Star Burger’s Cat 5 pesto brings the deep green, and the crunchy tostón round the bright golden orange. Stacked together on the bun, the burger comes out of the kitchen in full Hurricanes colors.
Each topping was chosen 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 inclusion of Cuban plantains and the Estrella family heritage reflects Miami’s diverse cultural fabric, making the burger a culinary ambassador for both the university and the restaurant. For fans, this means a tangible way to support their team while enjoying a meal that tells a local story.
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 resonating with the community. This season, guests can order one with the game on. Star Burger will be broadcasting Miami Hurricanes football games LIVE all season long. Fans are welcome to stop in, try the burger, and cheer on The “U” with fellow Canes fans. The restaurant, at 2,750 sq. ft., features interior seating plus a 750 sq. ft. covered and ventilated terrace that overlooks the Granada stone-arched entrance to Coral Gables, and ample parking. It is open daily from 11:30 am - 11:30 pm.
For Joey Estrella, president of Star Burger, the partnership is personal. “We built this one to stay,” he said. “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 long-term commitment distinguishes this deal from typical seasonal promotions. It also underscores how a family-run business can leverage a sports partnership to deepen its roots in the community. For more information on Star Burger, visit Star Burger.
