How Shake Shack Is Scaling Hospitality Through Technology & AI

Fast Casual Nation goes live for the first time, recorded in front of a studio audience of restaurant operators and suppliers. Hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler start with Britney from Hire Me on hiring Gen Z, flexible scheduling, and why referrals still matter. Then they sit down with Justin Mennen, Chief Information and Technology Officer at Shake Shack, to talk about Project Catalyst, the company’s plan to scale from roughly 400 company-owned U.S. locations to 1,500. Mennen breaks down the four pillars of the initiative (a new POS and KDS, the brand’s first loyalty program, Shack AI, and a data foundation), explains why Shake Shack is keeping AI out of the drive-thru, and shares what the kiosk data is showing about check size. The episode wraps with an audience poll on technology priorities and a lightning round on IoT, cross-department alignment, and loyalty without discounting. #FastCasualNation #ShakeShack #ProjectCatalyst #RestaurantTech #RestaurantAI #HospitalityTech #FastCasual #RestaurantOperations #RestaurantHiring #LoyaltyProgram Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fast-casual-nation--3598490/support. Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/ Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights. Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory