Shake Shack supporting growth with technology transformation
Shake Shack Inc. is launching "Project Catalyst," an initiative to scale its digital, data, and operational platforms as it expands to 1,500 company-owned stores.
Project Catalyst focuses on modernizing restaurant systems, debuting the first Shake Shack loyalty platform, expanding artificial intelligence capabilities, and enhancing its data infrastructure.
Shake Shack is implementing the Qube cloud-native unified commerce platform from Qu to upgrade its POS and kitchen display systems to enable enhanced kitchen orchestration and seamless ordering across digital and in-store channels.
The company also intends to provide faster, more precise service, particularly during peak demand, while freeing associates to provide heightened customer service.
As part of the initiative, Shake Shack is developing its first loyalty platform, which it will integrate across POS and digital channels to support more personalized communication. In addition, the company plans to develop proprietary AI capabilities focused on delivering real-time operational insights for faster and more informed decision-making and providing intelligent support to restaurant operators and support teams.
“As Shake Shack continues to grow, we’re building a technology platform designed to scale with the business,” said Justin Mennen, chief information and technology officer of Shake Shack. “Project Catalyst brings together modern restaurant systems, advanced data platforms, and AI-driven capabilities that help our teams operate more efficiently and make faster decisions.”
[READ MORE: Shake Shack plots massive expansion]
By embedding AI into daily workflows, Shake Shack hopes to be able to better understand performance, identify opportunities, and operate with greater speed and precision. Project Catalyst will provide an intelligent operating layer for every store that will surface proactive insights, alerts and recommendations for store operators
“Shake Shack is entering a significant phase of growth and building the right foundation to support that scale is a top priority,” said Rob Lynch, CEO of Shake Shack. “Project Catalyst strengthens the technology and digital capabilities that power our restaurants and connect us more meaningfully with our guests. These investments will help our teams operate more efficiently, enhance the customer experience, and position Shake Shack to scale successfully toward 1,500 company-operated stores.”
Since the original Shake Shack opened in 2004 in New York City’s Madison Square Park, the company has expanded to over 670 stores system-wide, including close to 430 in 35 U.S. States and the District of Columbia and more than 240 international locations across locations including London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Mexico City, Istanbul, Dubai, Tokyo, and Seoul.
