Founder Profile
Danny Meyer
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By Swet Parvadiya
Who is Danny Meyer?
Danny Meyer is a founder of Shake Shack Inc., which was founded in 2004.
- Company founded
- Shake Shack Inc.
- Founded
- 2004
Background
Meyer graduated from Trinity College and opened Union Square Cafe in 1985, later building USHG into a group of New York restaurants before Shake Shack was spun out as its own company.
Founding Story
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.