Third London Shake Shack and first Cardiff store set to open

Shaking up Cardiff and London – US fast casual chain Shake Shack to open two new UK locations.

US ‘all-natural’ fast casual restaurant Shake Shack have announced plans to open two new stores, one on London’s New Oxford Street and one in Cardiff’s St. David’s Shopping Centre.

Bosses are keen to bring the firm’s mission to ‘Stand For Something Good’ to their new locations- slated to open in late 2015/early 2016 - by using energy-efficient kitchen equipment and lighting, and recyclable features from unusual sources like bowling alleys and snow fences for the interiors.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring our third London Shack to New Oxford Street and our first Cardiff Shack to St. David’s Shopping Centre”, said Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti. “London has been so welcoming to us, and we’ve been humbled by the passionate response from fans across the UK. Our teams continue to seek out and deepen our ties with talented local producers and more guests, as we extend our roots in the UK.”

The stores will be the third and fourth respectively in the UK after a pair in London’s Covent Garden (opened 2013) and Westfield Stratford City earlier this year. Cardiff’s will be the chain’s first UK location outside the capital.

Nigel Sherwood, Shake Shack’s UK business director, said the arrival of the two new stores was an “exciting time” for the company.

“This winter we’re bringing two Shacks to two very different, but very fitting spots in the UK. We plan to ensure that not only is each Shack engrained in its community but that it also becomes a true gathering pot. As we grow, we will continue to look for outstanding opportunities in major cities.”

Shake Shack, which originated from a kiosk in New York City’s Madison Square Park in 2004, has grown to over seventy locations in nine countries. Alongside its eponymous shakes the firm offers 100% all-natural Angus beef burgers, griddled-crisp flat-top hotdogs, fresh-made frozen custard, crinkle-cut fries, beer and wine among its products, all featuring premium, sustainably-sourced ingredients.

The company was founded, and is currently owned by, Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, which also owns the Union Square Café and a host of other restaurants across the New York City area.

Read our interview with culinary director of Shake Shack Mark Rosati