With Danny Meyer’s upscale burger joint opening its 15th U.S. outlet last week in New Haven, Conn., the New York chain reached a threshold moment: Shake Shack is now required to post calorie counts on menu boards at its seven city locations, just like bigger chains such as McDonald’s and Starbucks.
The calorie counts weren’t top secret, having been listed on Shake Shack’s website for months. But they have been an eye-opening addition to display menus since Sept. 11, when the restaurant began quietly posting the numbers in a discreet white-over-black font all over the city.
Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti said his company is “happy and proud” to post the data.
“When you take your kids to Shake Shack, you’re not feeling guilty,” he said. “You shouldn’t do it every day. It should be part of a balanced lifestyle.”