Shake Shack Inc. operates and licenses Shake Shack restaurants (Shacks), which serve burgers, chicken, hot dogs, crinkle cut fries, shakes, frozen custard, beer, wine and more.
The company is the sole managing member of SSE Holdings (SSE Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries), and as sole managing member, the company operates and controls all of the business and affairs of SSE Holdings. As of December 25, 2024, the company owned 94.2% of SSE Holdings.
As of December 25, 2024, there were various S...
Shake Shack Inc. operates and licenses Shake Shack restaurants (Shacks), which serve burgers, chicken, hot dogs, crinkle cut fries, shakes, frozen custard, beer, wine and more.
The company is the sole managing member of SSE Holdings (SSE Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries), and as sole managing member, the company operates and controls all of the business and affairs of SSE Holdings. As of December 25, 2024, the company owned 94.2% of SSE Holdings.
As of December 25, 2024, there were various Shacks in operation, system-wide, of which some were company-operated Shacks and some were licensed Shacks.
The company serves modern, fun and elevated versions of American classics using only premium ingredients. The company is known for its made-to-order Angus beef burgers, crispy chicken, hand-spun milkshakes, house-made lemonades, beer, wine, and more.
Menu
The company’s locations offer premium food and beverages, carefully crafted from a range of classic American foods. While ingredient specifications and menu options can vary by country, the core menus at the company’s the U.S.-based locations include the following:
Burgers
The company’s burgers are made with a proprietary whole-muscle blend of 100% all-natural, no added hormone, and antibiotic-free Angus beef, ground fresh, cooked to order and served on a non-GMO potato bun. The company takes great care in the preparation of its burgers — from sourcing, to handling, to cooking — to ensure their taste and quality is second to none. The company’s signature burger is the ShackBurger, a four-ounce cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato and ShackSauce. The company’s burger offerings also include the SmokeShack, 'Shroom Burger (a vegetarian burger), Shack Stack, Avocado Bacon Burger and Hamburger.
Chicken
The company’s Chicken Shack is a 100% all-natural, no added hormone, and antibiotic-free chicken breast, slow cooked in buttermilk and herbs, hand-battered, hand-breaded and crisp-fried to order. The company’s Chicken Bites are made with all-natural, antibiotic-free whole muscle chicken that is sous-vide cooked for optimum flavor, moisture and texture.
Crinkle Cut Fries
The company’s classic, passionately beloved crinkle cut fries are made from premium potatoes and are prepared 100% free of artificial trans fats. So many of its guests love the crispiness and ridges of its crinkle cut fries; a nostalgic ode to the roadside burger stand of yesteryear. Guests can also enjoy the company’s Cheese Fries; its crinkle cut fries topped with a proprietary blend of cheddar and American cheese sauce.
Hot Dogs
The company’s hot dogs are made from 100% all-natural, no added hormone and antibiotic-free beef.
Shakes and Frozen Custard
The company’s premium, dense, rich and creamy frozen custard, hand-made daily on-site, is crafted from its proprietary vanilla and chocolate recipes. The company uses only real sugar (no high-fructose corn syrup) and milk from dairy farmers who pledge not to use artificial growth hormones. Shakes remain the company’s guests' favorite in this category, and they're scooped and hand-spun to order.
Beer, Wine and Beverages
The company’s proprietary ShackMeister Ale, brewed by Brooklyn Brewery, was specifically crafted to complement the ShackBurger's flavor profile. At select locations, the company also offers local craft beers. The company’s Shack Red, Shack White and Shack Rose wines are sourced and produced exclusively by Gotham Project, providing its guests with premium beverage options not commonly found in its industry; a nod to its fine-dining roots. In addition, the company serves Abita Root Beer, Shack-made lemonade, organic fresh brewed iced tea, Fifty/Fifty (half lemonade, half organic iced tea), Honest Kids organic apple juice and Shack|20 bottled still and sparkling waters.
Innovation Kitchen
The company’s Innovation Kitchen is located on the lower level of the West Village Shack in New York City, connected to its home office and allows it to explore exciting new menu items for its guests. The culinary team uses this dedicated space to get even more creative, dig deeper into the company’s fine-dining roots, collaborate with other chefs and explore new opportunities as it continues to grow. The West Village Shack’s menu has all the company’s classic items and features items from the Innovation Kitchen, with guest-favorite test items potentially becoming national limited time offerings and permanent menu items. This space also allows the company to house its quality assurance and culinary teams together, ensuring that every item on its menu meets its strict standards.
Shack-Wide Limited Time Offerings (LTO)
The company’s LTO program generally features a new, premium burger or chicken sandwich, and special fry options for varying time periods throughout the year along with unique beverages and shakes. Some of its notable LTOs throughout fiscal 2024 were:
Korean Style Fried Chicken, Korean BBQ Burger, and Spicy Korean BBQ Fries and Cheese Fries: In January, the company launched a menu full of big, bold flavors, bringing back a fan-favorite sweet and spicy chicken sandwich first launched in 2021, this time paired with an umami-packed burger and fries that paired the swicy and umami flavors perfectly.
Summer BBQ Burger and Fries: In May, the company launched two BBQ burgers made for the summer season, the Smoky Classic BBQ Burger and the Carolina BBQ Burger with Fried Pickles alongside BBQ fries and BBQ cheese fries. All of these options featured its own Shack BBQ sauces, one a classic smoky red sauce and the other a sweet and tangy gold sauce.
Black Truffle Burger, ‘Shroom, ShackStack and Black Truffle Parmesan Fries: In September, the company’s beloved Black Truffle sauce made with real black truffle oil returned to Shacks, this time with a Black Truffle ShackStack option, combining its iconic ‘Shroom burger with one of its 100% Angus beef patties.
Limited-Time Shakes: Throughout fiscal 2024, the company offered exciting new shakes like Strawberry Frosted Donut, Peaches & Cream and Chocolate Salted Caramel. In November, the company launched its Holiday Shakes, bringing back fan-favorites Christmas Cookie and Apple Cider Donut as well as the new classic Chocolate Yule Log.
Lemonades: Throughout fiscal 2024, the company launched seasonal flavors like Dragonfruit Pomegranate Lemonade, Strawberry Peach Iced Tea and fan-favorites Pink Lemonade and Mango Passionade along with corresponding Fifty/Fifty options.
Guest experience
The key elements of the company’s guest experience include digital evolution; engaging the community; engaging with the company’s guests; and culinary approach.
Strategies
The key elements of the company’s strategy include company-operated shacks; and growing its licensed shack business.
Distribution
The company has a centralized distribution process with one distributor, which it refers to as its broadline distributor, to provide nearly all its food distribution services in the U.S. As of December 25, 2024, approximately 95% of certain food and beverage ingredients including chicken, fries and custard were fulfilled through the company’s broadline distributor for distribution and delivery to each company-operated Shack which collectively represents approximately 45% of its total purchases.
As of December 25, 2024, the company was utilizing 20 affiliated distribution centers to supply its company-operated Shacks. The company recognizes that the safety and consistency of its products begins with its suppliers, and therefore, the company requires its suppliers must meet certain criteria and strict quality control standards in the production and delivery of its food and other products. Additionally, the company regularly evaluate its broadline distributor to ensure the products its purchase conform to the company’s standards and contracted prices are fair and competitive.
Intellectual property
As of December 25, 2024, the company had 26 registered marks domestically, including registrations of its core marks (Shake Shack and Shack Burger) and certain other marks, such as Stand for Something Good. Internationally, the company has registered its core marks in 83 countries spanning six continents. These marks are registered in multiple international trademark classes, including for restaurant services, food services, non-alcoholic beverages and apparel. The company also owns the domain www.shakeshack.com, as well as over 410 other domain names for use in other markets.
The company has developed several product formulations, including its ShackSauce, 'Shroom Burger, chicken breast, chicken bites, chicken breading, buttermilk herb mayo, cheese sauce, unflavored custard base, vanilla custard base, and chocolate custard base, as well as certain toppings and custard mix-ins. The company also has exclusive arrangements with its suppliers of crinkle cut fries, ShackMeister Ale, Shack Red wine, Shack White wine, Shack Rose wine, hot dogs and cherry peppers.
Seasonality
The company typically sees higher sales in the summer months, followed by a slower fall season during the back-to-school months and an increase around the holiday season.
History
Shake Shack Inc. was founded in 2001. The company was incorporated in 2014 as a Delaware corporation.