Star Burger, located at 4901 SW Eighth St., has entered into a partnership with the University of Miami Athletics as the Official Burger of the Miami Hurricanes, a title that covers all the university’s sports teams. The announcement, made on September 29, 2026, comes less than two months after the restaurant opened its doors on Southwest Eighth Street, just minutes from campus.
The partnership makes Star Burger the Official Burger of Miami Hurricanes Athletics for the 2026-2027 season, the restaurant’s first tie to the university. The centerpiece of the deal is the Canes Burger, a double-stacked burger 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. It is served on Martin’s potato buns and pairs with the restaurant’s signature fries or Dillies, both fried exclusively in natural beef tallow.
The Canes 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 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.”
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 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 Miami Star Burger is 2,750 sq. ft. and is located on the corner of Granada and Tamiami Trail in Miami. It features interior seating, plus a 750 sq. ft. covered and ventilated terrace that overlooks the Granada stone-arched entrance to Coral Gables. The location features ample parking for customers. The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 am – 11:30 pm.
The partnership matters because it marks Star Burger’s first tie to the university and underscores the restaurant’s commitment to the Miami community. By making the Canes Burger a permanent fixture rather than a seasonal promotion, Star Burger is signaling a long-term investment in the relationship, one that could boost its visibility among students, alumni, and sports fans. For the University of Miami, the deal adds a local, family-owned business to its roster of athletic partners, potentially enhancing fan engagement and game-day traditions.
