Shake Shack Inc.
Company History
Shake Shack History: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones
Founded 2004 in New York City, New York, United States
When was Shake Shack founded?
Shake Shack was founded in 2004 in New York City, New York, United States by Danny Meyer, making it 22 years old.
- Founded
- 2004
- Founding place
- New York City, New York, United States
- Founders
- Danny Meyer
- Headquarters today
- New York, New York
- Milestones documented
- 11 (2001–2026)
- Current CEO
- Rob Lynch
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2001 | Shake Shack Begins as a Hot Dog Cart |
| 2004 | First Permanent Shack Opens |
| 2010 | Shake Shack Expands Beyond New York |
| 2011 | First International Locations |
| 2015 | IPO |
| 2020 | Shake Shack Navigates Pandemic Disruption |
| 2021 | First Drive-Thru Shack |
| 2024 | Rob Lynch Becomes CEO |
| 2025 | 659 Shacks System-Wide |
| 2025 | FY2025 Revenue |
| 2026 | Q2 2026 Results |
- Where was Shake Shack founded?
- Shake Shack was founded in New York City, New York, United States in 2004.
- Who founded Shake Shack?
- Shake Shack was founded by Danny Meyer.
- When did Shake Shack start?
- Shake Shack was founded in 2004.
- How old is Shake Shack?
- Shake Shack is 22 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
In 2001 Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group set up a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park to support a public art installation by the Madison Square Park Conservancy. The cart drew long lines for three summers, and in 2004 USHG opened a permanent kiosk in the park selling burgers, shakes and frozen custard. That kiosk became the first Shake Shack.
Founders
Danny Meyer
Danny Meyer is a New York restaurateur and the founder of Union Square Hospitality Group, the company behind Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern. USHG opened the Madison Square Park hot dog cart in 2001 and the first permanent Shake Shack kiosk in 2004. Meyer is known for the "Enlightened Hospitality" philosophy that shaped Shake Shack's service culture, and he has served as chairman of Shake Shack's board. Danny Meyer was born in 1958 in New York City. Education: John Burroughs School.
Key Milestones
Shake Shack Begins as a Hot Dog Cart
Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group opens a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park to help activate the underused public space.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgFirst Permanent Shack Opens
Shake Shack opened as a permanent kiosk in Madison Square Park.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgShake Shack Expands Beyond New York
Shake Shack opens its first locations outside the New York City area, beginning a broader national expansion phase.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgFirst International Locations
Shake Shack opened its first locations outside the United States, in the Middle East, in 2011.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgIPO
Shake Shack completed its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgShake Shack Navigates Pandemic Disruption
Shake Shack shifted toward digital ordering and pickup during the pandemic and returned a $10 million PPP loan.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgFirst Drive-Thru Shack
Shake Shack opened its first drive-thru, beginning a suburban format central to later company-operated growth.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgRob Lynch Becomes CEO
Rob Lynch joined Shake Shack as Chief Executive Officer.
Source: en.wikipedia.org659 Shacks System-Wide
Shake Shack ended 2025 with 373 company-operated Shacks and 286 licensed Shacks.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgQ2 2026 Results
Revenue rose 17.2% to $417.6 million and the system passed 710 Shacks.
Source: investor.shakeshack.comKeep researching Shake Shack
Shake Shack Company History FAQ
When and where was Shake Shack originally founded?
Shake Shack was founded in 2004 in Madison Square Park in New York City by restaurateur Danny Meyer and his Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), evolving from a hot dog cart that first operated in the park in 2001.
What was the origin of the Madison Square Park hot dog cart in 2001?
In 2001, Danny Meyer supported the Madison Square Park Conservancy's effort to clean up the crime-ridden park by sponsoring an art installation titled "I <3 NY". Meyer set up a hot dog cart run by his fine-dining restaurant Eleven Madison Park, which drew massive lines for three summers.
When did the permanent Shake Shack kiosk open in the park?
In June 2004, after winning a competitive bidding process from the city's Department of Parks & Recreation, USHG opened a permanent, architecturally designed kiosk in Madison Square Park, adding freshly griddled Angus burgers, crinkle-cut fries, and frozen custard.
How did Shake Shack expand from a single location to a national chain?
Originally envisioned as a one-of-a-kind civic amenity, Shake Shack opened its second location on Manhattan's Upper West Side in 2008. By 2010, locations expanded to Citi Field, Miami Beach, and Washington, D.C., launching nationwide growth.
When and where did Shake Shack open its first international location?
In 2011, Shake Shack opened its first international Shack at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai through a licensing agreement with M.H. Alshaya Group, launching an international expansion that spread across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
When did Shake Shack complete its initial public offering (IPO)?
Shake Shack completed its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol "SHAK" on January 30, 2015, pricing at $21 per share and raising $105 million, with shares skyrocketing 118% on its first day of trading.
What was Randy Garutti's role in building Shake Shack?
Randy Garutti was the original general manager of the Madison Square Park cart and served as Shake Shack's CEO from 2012 to May 2024. He guided the company through its public offering and grew it from a single park kiosk to an international footprint of over 500 locations.
Why did Shake Shack return its federal PPP loan in April 2020?
During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Shake Shack secured a $10 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. Facing intense public backlash and realizing the funds were depleted for small independent restaurants, Danny Meyer and Randy Garutti voluntarily returned the entire $10 million loan.
When did Shake Shack launch its first drive-thru location?
In December 2021, Shake Shack opened its first drive-thru location in Maple Grove, Minnesota, featuring digital ordering boards, multi-lane pickup, and a dedicated kitchen line for drive-thru guests, expanding into suburban car-centric markets.
Who became the CEO of Shake Shack in May 2024?
In May 2024, Rob Lynch, former CEO of Papa John's and former President of Arby's, succeeded retiring CEO Randy Garutti as Chief Executive Officer, tasked with accelerating drive-thru expansion, kitchen throughput, and digital store productivity.
What is the "Shack Cam" and how did it build early viral buzz?
In the early 2000s, Shake Shack installed a live webcam pointing at the Madison Square Park line ("Shack Cam"), allowing customers to monitor queue times online before walking over, pioneering viral organic digital restaurant marketing.
Where is Shake Shack headquartered today?
Shake Shack maintains its corporate headquarters, known as the "Home Office," in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City, featuring a state-of-the-art Innovation Kitchen.
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