Andrew McCaughan, Chief Development Officer at Shake Shack, joins Fast Casual Nation to discuss the iconic burger brand's ambitious journey from 3 locations to a goal of 1,500 U.S. restaurants. McCaughan shares insights on Shake Shack's evolution from urban high-profile locations to suburban expansion with multiple formats including drive-throughs, experiential flagships with full bars, and innovative digital ordering systems. Learn about their technology strategy, international growth across 20 countries, real estate challenges, culinary innovation including the viral Dubai Shake, and how they're maintaining Danny Meyer's hospitality values while scaling globally. Plus, hear about their new Atlanta innovation center and plans for Oklahoma City expansion.<br /><br />ShakeShack #FastCasualNation #RestaurantIndustry<br />0:00 - Intro<br />0:14 - Rising food costs &amp; staffing challenges<br />3:24 - Guest intro: Shake Shack’s Chief Development Officer<br />5:05 - Growth from 3 to 600+ global locations<br />7:51 - Expanding into suburbs, drive-thrus &amp; bar concepts<br />11:35 - Tech &amp; AI roadmap: kiosks, app, personalization<br />14:35 - Scaling while preserving brand values &amp; culture<br />16:11 - Global expansion: 20+ countries &amp; local menus<br />21:14 - Maintaining warmth &amp; New York credibility<br />22:04 - Balancing digital orders with in-store hospitality<br />24:23 - Atlanta innovation center &amp; kitchen tech<br />27:11 - Real estate shifts &amp; development challenges<br />28:52 - Next experiential store: Atlanta &amp; Las Vegas<br />31:00 - Reaching Gen Z &amp; next-gen burger fans<br />33:02 - Rapid fire: new markets, metrics, trends<br />35:09 - Closing remarks &amp; episode wrap<br /><br />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 <a href="https://www.savor.fm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.savor.fm/</a><br /><br />Capital &amp; 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 &amp; 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.<br /><br />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 <a href="https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory</a><br />

Fast Casual Nation

Savor.fm

Shake Shack's Bold Expansion: Formats, Tech, and Global Growth

NOV 5, 202536 MIN
Fast Casual Nation

Shake Shack's Bold Expansion: Formats, Tech, and Global Growth

NOV 5, 202536 MIN

Description

Andrew McCaughan, Chief Development Officer at Shake Shack, joins Fast Casual Nation to discuss the iconic burger brand's ambitious journey from 3 locations to a goal of 1,500 U.S. restaurants. McCaughan shares insights on Shake Shack's evolution from urban high-profile locations to suburban expansion with multiple formats including drive-throughs, experiential flagships with full bars, and innovative digital ordering systems. Learn about their technology strategy, international growth across 20 countries, real estate challenges, culinary innovation including the viral Dubai Shake, and how they're maintaining Danny Meyer's hospitality values while scaling globally. Plus, hear about their new Atlanta innovation center and plans for Oklahoma City expansion.<br /><br />ShakeShack #FastCasualNation #RestaurantIndustry<br />0:00 - Intro<br />0:14 - Rising food costs &amp; staffing challenges<br />3:24 - Guest intro: Shake Shack’s Chief Development Officer<br />5:05 - Growth from 3 to 600+ global locations<br />7:51 - Expanding into suburbs, drive-thrus &amp; bar concepts<br />11:35 - Tech &amp; AI roadmap: kiosks, app, personalization<br />14:35 - Scaling while preserving brand values &amp; culture<br />16:11 - Global expansion: 20+ countries &amp; local menus<br />21:14 - Maintaining warmth &amp; New York credibility<br />22:04 - Balancing digital orders with in-store hospitality<br />24:23 - Atlanta innovation center &amp; kitchen tech<br />27:11 - Real estate shifts &amp; development challenges<br />28:52 - Next experiential store: Atlanta &amp; Las Vegas<br />31:00 - Reaching Gen Z &amp; next-gen burger fans<br />33:02 - Rapid fire: new markets, metrics, trends<br />35:09 - Closing remarks &amp; episode wrap<br /><br />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 <a href="https://www.savor.fm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.savor.fm/</a><br /><br />Capital &amp; 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 &amp; 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.<br /><br />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 <a href="https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory</a><br />