Operations

Shake Shack increasing representation of women, people of color in leadership roles

Provided

June 22, 2023

Shake Shack made over 2,600 internal promotions, with 55% going to women and 77% going to people of color in 2022, according to the New York-based chain's annual Stand for Something Good Summary. The summary incorporates performance indicators from the UN Sustainable Development Goals, a collection of 17 global goals set by the UN General Assembly.

"Our mission since our first Shack has always been to Stand for Something Good, and that unwavering commitment is as strong as ever today," CEO Randy Garutti said in a company press release. "It is reflected in the dedication of every member of the Shake Shack team, our deep connection with guests, and our meaningful relationships with suppliers and our stockholders."

Since establishing 2025 diversity goals, the chain has increased the representation of women and people of color in Shack leadership by 33% and 18%, respectively, said Diane Neville, chief people officer.

"We're committed to providing equal opportunities for success, removing barriers and fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion and empowerment to ensure that Shake Shack continues to be a great place to work," she said in the release. " Our continued focus on the attraction, development and retention of diverse leadership moves us closer toward achieving our broader goals. In 2022, the Human Rights Campaign also recognized Shake Shack as a "Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality" for inclusive benefits, policies, and workplace practices."

The chain is also focused on the health as well as career advancement of its employees and has implemented talent development programs, including Shift Up, Women's Leadership Development and a New Manager Leadership Program, according to the release.

In addition to parental leave for birth parents and bonding time for non-birth parents, Shake Shack also offers reproductive health benefits for team members, which include options for family planning, coverage for pregnancy terminations and counseling support.

Supply chain updates

Lisa Kartzman, VP of supply chain, said the company was increasing the amount of regeneratively sourced protein, which supports farming and ranching practices that deliver positive environmental, social and economic outcomes. The chain, for example, has been collaborating with CreamCo and Richards Grassfed Beef to offer a burger made with a regeneratively-raised meat patty in Northern California. In 2022, it sold nearly 48,000 pounds of regeneratively raised meat.

"Food is at the center of what we do. We're committed to always sourcing real, premium ingredients to ensure our guests can feel good about what they are eating," Kartzman said in the release. "Guided by our vision of quality and food safety, our culinary team continues to craft high-quality menu items, surprising and delighting guests with innovative recipes."

Environmental responsibility

Jeffery Amoscato, SVP of supply chain and menu innovation, said the chain was also seeking opportunities to reduce its carbon footprint by expanding its use of renewable energy, increasing resource efficiency and identifying suppliers who share a commitment to sustainability.

"We must respect the natural environment that our business depends on to serve the food our guests love," he said in the release. "That means we are continuously evolving our efforts to reduce our environmental footprint, focusing on critical areas such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and collaboration with farmers, suppliers, and guests to drive meaningful change across the food industry."

Shake Shack has over 460 locations.