Shake Shack opened its doors at 10:30 a.m. on March 4, officially becoming the first Shake Shack in Georgia outside of the metro-Atlanta area. The new location is located at 161 Alps Road.
The burger joint celebrated with a ribbon cutting and free merchandise including custom Athens water bottles and stickers. A crowd formed in the building early in the day and foot traffic remained high all throughout the lunch hours.
Shake Shack CEO Rob Lynch enjoyed his favorite menu item, the SmokeShack burger, with his daughter and friend as he spectated opening day. He said that he hopes customers will notice how Shake Shack stands out amongst other burger chains.
“I hope that this community recognizes that we’re just not another burger place,” Lynch said. “We use the highest quality ingredients. Our food is as good as we can buy, and we try to deliver great hospitality.”
Out of the 600 plus Shake Shacks worldwide, this location is particularly special to Lynch as a Georgia local. Lynch lives in the Atlanta area, and his two twin daughters are freshman at the University of Georgia.
“I didn’t miss a game this year. We’re all in on UGA.” Lynch said.
The restaurant was efficiently staffed for opening day, with servers refilling drinks and delivering them back to tables. Shake Shack implements specific staff for new locations called “New Shack Opening (NSO) Cross Trainers.”
Ethan Wah, an NSO Cross Trainer and junior UGA student, said he loves the culture of Shake Shack.
“Everyone treats each other like a family,” Wah said. “Also, we have really strict standards, so everyone is really ready to work every day.”
The restaurant offers four kiosks in the front to order electronically, two staffed registers and a drive through around the back of the building. There is a covered outdoor patio decorated with string lights and indoor seating.
The menu features mainly beef burgers, fried chicken and a vegetarian mushroom option. Flat top hot dogs, crinkle cut fries and a variety of shakes and frozen custard are also staples at Shake Shack.
Shake Shack will be open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.