Shake Shack just opened their first location in Texas earlier this week, and the company has already confirmed that another location will open later this month in the UK, inside The Westfield Stratford City commercial development. This will be London's second Shake Shack; the first opened in 2013.
A Peanut Butter CrunchCrete features chocolate hazelnut brownie bits from London's St. JOHN Bakery.
The UK's second Shack was first announced this past December, and was originally projected to open in April of this year. CEO Randy Garutti wrote in an announcement, "Over the past two years we've been amazed with the reception Londoners have given Shake Shack in Covent Garden. Since that time, we've worked hard to further our connection to local purveyors and artisanal producers who make our all-natural burgers and made-fresh daily frozen custard menu what it is. We look forward to opening our second UK Shack and connecting with the Stratford community." The newest location — by our count, Shake Shack's 70th — will create 100 new jobs.
The second London Shack will follow the sustainable design theories of all Shack locations, including the use of table tops made from reclaimed bowling alleys, and reclaimed wall panelling from water tanks that once topped buildings in New York City.
Of course, Shake Shack's core menu will be on offer at Stratford City, but there will also be location-specific concretes. Fans can expect a Peanut Butter CrunchCrete that features a chocolate hazelnut brownie from London's famous St. JOHN Bakery; an East End Pie Oh My featuring a slice of Flour Power bramley apple pie; and Banana Pretzel Pudding with paul.a.young chocolate covered pretzels.
So far this year, Shake Shack has announced that the company will open new locations in Tokyo, Los Angeles, and New Jersey. The Shack's rapid expansion streak is not surprising. Now that it's a publicly traded company, investors are looking to see Shake Shack pick up the pace. With multiple locations opening in markets across the globe, the only question that remains is whether or not Garutti and founder Danny Meyer can maintain their company's commitment to excellence in service and to putting out a consistent, high-quality product. So far, there's been no doubt.
Shake Shack Stratford City opens at 10:30 a.m. on May 20.