Shah’s Halal Food recently announced a new partnership with MetLife Stadium Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, home of the NFL New York Jets and New York Giants.
Founded by Shafiq Mashriqi, who serves as CEO, the chain is headquartered in Amityville, New York and has over 150 locations worldwide, according to a company statement. The brand opened its 100th U.S. location in July, according to the brand’s Instagram.
Starting as a single food cart in Queens, New York, in 2005, Shah’s Halal Food grew into a large international fast-casual chain with locations in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Sweden.
Shah’s Halal Food at MetLife Stadium Meadowlands
At MetLife Stadium, there will be “three strategically located food service areas” with the goal of enhancing the culinary experience for the venue’s diverse fanbase.
The flagship Shah’s Halal service stand can be found in West Hall, positioned immediately inside the MetLife Gate, in addition to two prime concourse locations at Sections 126 and 314. The menu includes their heaping platters, available with chicken, lamb, and falafel in addition to gyros, pakora chips and their signature sauces.
“We are thrilled to partner with Shah’s Halal to offer superior Halal food to our guests,” says Ron VanDeVeen, President and CEO of MetLife Stadium.
“We are always looking for ways to elevate the fan experience and are excited to expand our Middle Eastern culinary options through this great partnership,” VanDeVeen said.
Inclusive Dining For Multicultural Fanbase
The partnership represents a significant milestone in MetLife Stadium’s commitment to providing diverse, inclusive dining options that reflect the multicultural community it serves, according to the statement.
Shah’s Halal Food brings years of experience in delivering authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, ensuring that fans who appreciate Halal dining will have flavorful options during their stadium visits.
“We are honored to bring our signature NYC style Halal experience to one of the most iconic venues in sports and entertainment,” said Mashriqi.
“Our goal is to create an exceptional culinary journey for every fan and event guest, offering the same quality and authenticity that has made Shah’s Halal part of New York City’s food culture. This partnership allows us to serve our community at the highest level while introducing new guests to the rich flavors of traditional Halal food,” Mashriqi added.
The Shah’s Halal locations at MetLife Stadium will feature menu offerings that will include traditional favorites alongside stadium-friendly options designed specifically for the game-day experience.
MetLife Stadium continues to “set the standard for premium venue experiences.” This new partnership aligns with the stadium’s ongoing commitment to extend exceptional dining options that appeal to its “diverse guest community.”
What is Halal Food?
Halal (Arabic for “allowed” or “permissible”) food is governed by Islamic rules related to slaughter of animals and handling of meat. It requires ethical sourcing, specific slaughtering methods, and precise hygiene standards. For a food product to be considered halal, it must go through a certification process to ensure it complies with Islamic law.
Halal meat is killed through a method called dhabihah. It requires that animals are slaughtered humanely by a muslim, a prayer spoken, and the animal hung upside down to drain the blood. Halal rules prohibit certain ingredients like pork and alcohol.
Mashriqi said he selects locations for Shah’s Halal in diverse neighborhoods with rich histories. See menu items here.
The halal market in the U.S. — which includes food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and tourism — is valued at over $3 trillion, according to the American Halal Foundation. The global market is estimated at $7 trillion, with food and beverage accounting for 35% of the market. The halal market is projected to reach $10 trillion by 2030, with a CAGR of 5.5%, the foundation said.
Statista reports that in 2021, Muslims worldwide spent $2 trillion across the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, fashion, travel, and media/recreation sectors. The global market was anticipated to hit $2.8 trillion this year.
About Shah’s Halal Food
Much of the food served at Shah’s — gyros, falafel, kofta kebab and baklava — cross borders in the Middle East. But Mashriqi said Shah’s is committed to serving up the flavors of Afghanistan and is the fastest-growing halal Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) worldwide.
Shah’s menu features “signature family recipes that masterfully blend authentic flavors with accessible service, creating an experience that honors tradition while embracing innovation,” according to a company press release.
About MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium, located in the heart of the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets and has the largest seating capacity in the NFL (82,500).
Recent enhancements in place for the start of the NFL season include four new cornerstone video boards, a brand new audio system, an updated distributed antenna system (DAS) that will increase 5G cellular capacity and coverage, and the installation of two sensory pods.
The venue is one of the busiest stadiums in the world and ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for both tickets sold and ticket revenue in 2024 per Pollstar. MetLife Stadium was named “Highest Grossing Stadium of the Year” nine times by Billboard and “Venue of the Year” by StadiumBusiness.
In 2021, MetLife Stadium became the first NFL Stadium to join the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Sports for Climate Action Framework, which aims to achieve global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions goals.
About the New York Giants
A cornerstone franchise of the National Football League, the New York Giants team was founded in 1925 by Tim Mara. A family-owned organization, the team is now led by John Mara, the grandson of the founder.
The NY Giants have won eight NFL championships — 1927, 1934, 1938, 1956, 1986, 1990, 2007 and 2011 — including four Super Bowls (XXI, XXV, XLII, XLVI). A long rich history and a large fan base, the Giants are among the oldest and most successful teams in the NFL, per reports.
After twice winning two titles in five years, the Giants are the only NFL franchise with Super Bowl victories in four consecutive decades.
Headquartered in the Meadowlands at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Giants kicked off their 101st season on Sunday, Sept. 7 against the Washington Commanders. The Giants lost 6-21.
About the New York Jets
The New York Jets were founded in 1959 as the New York Titans, an original member of the American Football League (AFL). The Jets won Super Bowl III, defeating the NFL’s Baltimore Colts in 1969 — a victory many believe led to the 1970 merger of the AFL and NFL that set the foundation for today’s league.
The team has a long-standing, year-round commitment to the community and works to implement programs that will “positively influence the lives of young men and women in the tri-state area, particularly in disadvantaged communities,” the press release indicated.
Headquartered at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey, the Jets opened their season on Sunday, Sept. 7 at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jets lost, 32-34.
A great-grandson of Robert Wood Johnson I and an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical fortune, Woody Johnson, 78, bought the Jets from the Leon Hess estate in 2000 for a reported $635 million. It was the third-highest price ever paid for a professional sports team at the time, and the highest for a New York professional sports team.
Woody Johnson is the majority owner, principal owner, and chairman. His brother Christopher Johnson also holds an ownership stake and serves as vice chairman.
Forbes recently valued the Jets at $6.9 billion — roughly 10 times Woody Johnson’s original investment.
