University Weiner, a hole-in-the-wall hot dog restaurant in downtown East Lansing, will expand to a second location in the Lansing Shuffle. 

Founded by a Michigan State University alum three years ago, University Weiner has since become a popular late-night stop for students. 

University Weiner owner Ben Pikus said he saw a “need” for a business like his own in the MSU community in 2023. 

“... We saw a need for a place in the community where students could have a place to, one, end the night, and two, have a quick bite to eat with quality food and great customer service on game days,” Pikus said. “That was kind of the need we saw — that need to be filled — like great pricing, quick [wait] times, so that you wouldn't have to wait and be there for, like, 15 minutes waiting for your hot dog. And then we just wanted to have something that was similar to like, a Cottage Inn, something special to the community as a local staple.”

Team member at University Weiner and special education and general education junior Sophie Crane said she “loves” that the business is an iconic staple in downtown East Lansing.

“When people always find out that I work there, they always have oohs and ahhs about it. They're just like, ‘Oh my gosh. I didn't even realize I could work there,’ because everyone views it as so small. But everyone also knows about it, so it's just so interesting, because I just get such big reactions whenever people hear that I work there,” Crane said. “... It is a really cool place to work. It's actually my favorite place I've ever worked, just because it's very laid-back. But also, like getting to know people, and just the overall vibe of it being a hole in the wall just makes it super unique.”

Now, expanding to the Lansing community, Pikus said, is something that he is looking forward to.

Similarly, general manager of University Weiner and partner of the Lansing Shuffle, Corbin Swint, said he is also eager for opening day on May 15.

“Honestly, it's really exciting. I know, especially for me, I personally am enjoying the new opportunities,” Swint said. “... It's cool to me. In our current location, we are literally a hole in the wall, and now we're moving on to bigger and better things and growing and expanding.”

Crane said the growth of the business is what she is looking forward to the most.