Hajimemashite, Tokyo! Shake Shack® to Open First Tokyo Location in Meiji-Jingu Gaien This Winter

(NYSE:SHAK)--From New York to Tokyo! Shake Shack^® is thrilled to announce it will open the first Tokyo Shack in the esteemed Meiji-Jingu Gaien park. This Shack, inspired by the first-ever Shake Shack in New York City’s Madison Square Park, is slated to open this winter where it will sit among the magnificent ginkgo trees on Icho Namiki Avenue—steps from bustling Aoyama.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150901006228/en/

The Meiji-Jingu Gaien Shack will build on Shake Shack's history of creating restaurants with innovative, forward-thinking architecture and design. In keeping with its heritage as a "roadside" stand, and inspired by the first-ever Shake Shack in New York City's Madison Square Park, this Shack will have an expansive outdoor patio-sitting among the iconic ginkgo trees-where guests can kick back with a delicious ShackBurger(R), cold ShackMeister(R) Ale and a game of ping pong. (Photo: Business Wire)

Shake Shack is a critically acclaimed, modern day “roadside” burger stand known for its 100% all-natural Angus beef burgers, griddled-crisp flat-top dogs, fresh-made frozen custard, crinkle cut fries, beer and wine, and more. A fun and lively community gathering place with widespread appeal, Shake Shack has earned a cult-like following around the world.

Founded by Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, which owns and operates some of New York City’s most celebrated restaurants: Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, The Modern at the Museum of Modern Art, Maialino, North End Grill, Blue Smoke, Marta, and Untitled at the Whitney Museum of American Art—Shake Shack’s fine dining heritage and commitment to sourcing premium, sustainable ingredients have helped to pioneer the creation of a new “fine casual” category in restaurants. Fine casual couples the ease, value and convenience of fast casual concepts with the high standards of excellence grounded in fine dining—thoughtful ingredient sourcing, preparation, hospitality and quality.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring our first Shack to Tokyo. Thinking back 14 years to that humble hot dog cart in New York City, we were determined to find the perfect spot in Tokyo. The original Shack in New York City’s Madison Square Park created a place for New Yorkers and visitors alike to gather as a community. We’ve searched far and wide and we’ve found that same feeling again in Meiji-Jingu Gaien”, said Randy Garutti, Shake Shack CEO. “We’re absolutely thrilled to connect with so many passionate fans, develop relationships with talented local producers and connect with our guests in this wonderful community.”

Meiji-Jingu Gaien—one of Tokyo’s most storied community destinations—appeals to locals and visitors alike. Dating back to the 1956 Tokyo Olympics, Meiji-Jingu Gaien has been home to a variety of community activities including baseball (home of the Yakult Swallows) and the iconic Ginkgo Festival (one of Japan’s most exciting and timeless traditions). The Meiji-Jingu Gaien Shack will build on Shake Shack’s history of creating restaurants with innovative, forward-thinking architecture and design. In keeping with its heritage as a “roadside” stand, and inspired by the first-ever Shake Shack in New York City’s Madison Square Park, this Shack will have an expansive outdoor patio—sitting among the iconic ginkgo trees—where guests can kick back with a delicious ShackBurger^®, cold ShackMeister^® Ale and a game of ping pong.

Shake Shack’s introduction to Meiji-Jingu Gaien will begin soon with an imaginative art installation during construction. To pay tribute to the captivating ginkgo trees and inspirational vitality within, Shake Shack will invite park visitors and passers-by to engage with an interactive construction site that visually celebrates the colorful, seasonal change of the ginkgo trees and invites guests to share their own aspirations for change. As the leaves undertake their beautiful transformation, a new community gathering spot will come to life at Shake Shack.

The Meiji-Jingu Gaien Shack will feature Shake Shack’s signature items including the aforementioned ShackBurger as well as the SmokeShack^® and Shack-cago Dog^®. The burgers are made with freshly ground 100% Angus beef (highly prized for its delicate texture and great taste). The ShackBurger, Shake Shack’s much-lauded burger, is made with cheese, fresh lettuce, tomato, and ShackSauce^TM, and finished with a buttered, toasted, soft potato roll. Shake Shack’s unique take on a bacon burger, the SmokeShack features smoked bacon, chopped cherry peppers and ShackSauce. The Shack-cago Dog is a hot dog inspired by a food typically only found in Chicago. This delicious hot dog is made with locally produced beef, and nine toppings including Shack relish, onion, cucumber, pickle, tomato, sport pepper, celery salt and mustard. In keeping with Shake Shack’s mission to Stand For Something Good^®, Shake Shack intends to work with select local vendors to innovate Tokyo-specific menu items and create a truly one of a kind Shack for the local Tokyo community.

Shake Shack is a New York City institution and global brand. In its 11-year history, Shake Shack has been recognized with numerous accolades, including Bon Appétit's "The 20 Most Important Restaurants in America" (ranked #16), TIME Magazine's "17 Most Influential Burgers of All Time" (ranked #7 for the ShackBurger) and winning "Best Burger" in 2007 and 2014 at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival's Burger Bash.

For more information please visit www.shakeshack.com

ABOUT SHAKE SHACK:

Shake Shack^® (NYSE: SHAK) is a modern day “roadside” burger stand known for its 100% all-natural, antibiotic-free Angus beef burgers (no hormones added ever), hot dogs, frozen custard, crinkle cut fries, beer and wine (available at select locations), and more. With its fresh, simple, high-quality food at a great value, Shake Shack is a fun and lively community-gathering place with widespread appeal. From its premium ingredients and caring hiring practices to its environmentally responsible designs and deep community investment, Shake Shack’s mission is to Stand For Something Good. Since the original Shack opened in 2004 in NYC’s Madison Square Park, the company has opened multiple locations in 12 states and the District of Columbia, as well as international locations including in London, Istanbul, Dubai, Moscow, and more.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, including but not limited to expected Shack openings, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements discuss our current expectations and projections relating to our financial position, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. All forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause actual results to be materially different. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this press release in the context of the risks and uncertainties disclosed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its final prospectus filed on August 13, 2015 pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4), all of which are available online at www.sec.gov, www.shakeshake.com or upon request from Shake Shack Inc.

The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Source: Shake Shack Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150901006228/en/