Staffing

Shake Shack investing $10M in employees

Provided

July 21, 2021

To help meet its goal of adding 35 to 40 U.S. locations by year's end, Shake Shack is investing $10 million in raises, bonuses and leadership development programs.

"We are making one of the biggest team member commitments we've made in our history this year," according to a post on the company's website. "Spanning wage increases, sign-on and retention bonuses, and leadership development programs, this investment is a commitment to attracting and retaining the best restaurant talent, ensuring current and future employees are well-paid, cared for and have a path to promotion and opportunity for sustainable career growth within Shake Shack and the industry at large."

According to the company, benefits include:

• Over $9 million in increased wages: Following raises at over half of its locations last year, the chain has increased hourly wages in more than two-thirds of all shacks in 2021.
• Nearly $1 million in hiring bonuses: Shake Shack is offering a $1,000 hiring bonus for managers and extending hiring bonuses of $500 for hourly team members hired between June 10 and Aug. 31 in many locations nationwide. It's also offering a monthly subscription allowance for up to a year for managers to use toward cell phone bills, subscription entertainment or other services that enrich their mental, physical or emotional wellbeing.
• Equity grants for general managers: Top-performing GMs have the ability to make more than $115,000 in total compensation. Additionally, most salaried, exempt managers receive a starting salary ranging from $50,000 to $65,000, depending on location and experience, with eligibility to receive performance-based bonuses.
• Investing in leadership development: The chain has launched the "Shacksperience Steppin Up Model," which defines and trains for the operational skills and proficiencies needed for each role and level of management, according to the company. It also hosts an annual leadership retreat where all salaried team members attend for leadership development classes, guest speakers and strategic planning sessions with the entire executive team, including CEO Randy Garutti.

Shake Shack, which employs 9,000 workers in the U.S. invested $6 million in its teams in 2020.