Shake Shack Names Rob Lynch as Chief Executive Officer
March 21 2024 - 7:46AM
Business Wire
Randy Garutti to support CEO transition and
remain as advisor through 2024
Shake Shack Inc. (“Shake Shack” or the “Company”) (NYSE:
SHAK) today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Rob
Lynch to the role of Chief Executive Officer and board member,
effective May 20, 2024. Mr. Lynch currently serves as President and
CEO of Papa John’s International, Inc. and under his leadership,
the Company has achieved record global system-wide sales. Mr. Lynch
will succeed Randy Garutti who will continue as the Company’s CEO
through May 20, 2024, which will also be his final day serving on
the Board, before transitioning to an advisor through the end of
this year to ensure a smooth transition.
“Rob’s appointment as CEO marks the beginning of our next
chapter of growth as we seek to further elevate Shake Shack as a
leading global brand,” said Danny Meyer, Shake Shack’s Founder and
Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Rob’s deep leadership
experience with several well-established global brands will serve
us well in executing on our long-term strategic priorities as we
enter the next phase of our Company’s growth. Rob’s leadership
style is also a wonderful fit to advance Shake Shack’s culture of
Enlightened Hospitality, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the
team.”
Mr. Meyer continued, “I also want to express my heartfelt
gratitude to Randy for the exceptional impact, leadership and
dedication he has brought to Shake Shack since its inception as a
hot dog cart in Madison Square Park to what it has become today – a
beloved brand with over 520 restaurants across the world. Randy’s
commitment to this brand for over 20 years, including during this
time of transition, will be an enduring part of Shake Shack’s
success story.”
Mr. Lynch is a highly-experienced restaurant operator and
currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Papa
John’s International, Inc., where he has driven record global
system-wide sales of over $5 billion across approximately 5,900
units.
“I am very excited to work with this outstanding team to
continue to write the inspirational Shake Shack story, and to help
it grow into its greatest potential. Shake Shack is special in the
restaurant space – I love the food, the thoughtful Shack designs,
and the soul of the brand. As I have learned more about the
company, I have also gained tremendous respect for the strong
culture that has been an integral part of the Company’s success
since its founding,” said Mr. Lynch. “I’m honored to have the
opportunity to lead Shake Shack into the next phase of growth and I
look forward to working with the board, our leadership team, and
our licensed partners to realize the brand’s full potential.”
“The CEO search committee recognized Rob’s proven track record
in leading scaled brands globally while delivering strong results
for stakeholders,” said Jeff Lawrence, a member of the CEO search
committee and an independent board director. Mr. Lawrence
continued, “His deep and demonstrated experience in marketing, data
analytics, technology and four-wall economics gives us great
confidence that he is the right leader to take Shake Shack to even
greater heights. Above all, the committee found Rob’s leadership
style and focus on fostering great workplace culture to be an ideal
fit for Shake Shack's cherished people-first hospitality ethos.”
Mr. Lawrence was joined on the CEO search committee by independent
board directors Lori George, Chuck Chapman and Josh Silverman.
Previously, Mr. Lynch was President of Arby’s, one of the
largest sandwich restaurant brands in the world, with more than
3,400 restaurants across eight countries, where he led operations,
marketing, culinary, development and digital transformation,
resulting in strong global system-wide sales growth and corporate
profitability. Mr. Lynch previously served as Arby’s Brand
President and Chief Marketing Officer. Prior to joining Arby’s, Mr.
Lynch served as Vice President of Marketing at Taco Bell. He has
over 25 years combined experience in the QSR and consumer packaged
goods industries and has also held senior roles at HJ Heinz Company
and Procter & Gamble. He is a graduate of the University of
Rochester, where he obtained his B.A. and M.B.A.
About Shake Shack
Shake Shack serves elevated versions of American classics using
only the best ingredients. It’s known for its delicious
made-to-order Angus beef burgers, crispy chicken, hand-spun
milkshakes, house-made lemonades, beer, wine, and more. With its
high-quality food at a great value, warm hospitality, and a
commitment to crafting uplifting experiences, Shake Shack quickly
became a cult-brand with widespread appeal. Shake Shack’s purpose
is to Stand For Something Good®, from its premium ingredients and
employee development, to its inspiring designs and deep community
investment. Since the original Shack opened in 2004 in NYC’s
Madison Square Park, the Company has expanded to over 520 locations
system-wide, including over 335 in 33 U.S. States and the District
of Columbia, and 185 international locations across London, Hong
Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Mexico City, Istanbul, Dubai, Tokyo,
Seoul and more.
Skip the line with the Shack App, a mobile ordering app
that lets you save time by ordering ahead! Guests can select their
location, pick their food, choose a pickup time and their meal will
be cooked-to-order and timed to arrival. Available on iOS and
Android.
Learn more: shakeshack.com | IG: @shakeshack | t: @shakeshack |
facebook.com/shakeshack
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240320939441/en/
Media: Morgan White, Shake Shack Mwhite3@shakeshack.com
Investor Relations: Melissa Calandruccio, ICR Michelle
Michalski, ICR (844) SHACK-04 (844-742-2504)
investor@shakeshack.com
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