Operations

Shake Shack now has curbside pickup at almost 40% of its stores

The fast casual, which has been hampered by its urban locations during the pandemic, is looking to add drive-thrus and walk-up windows to boost traffic.
shake shack curbside
Photos courtesy of Shake Shack

Shake Shack, which has been hampered by its urban real estate portfolio and lack of drive-thrus during the pandemic, has expanded its curbside pickup option to nearly 40% of its stores, the chain announced Wednesday.

At the end of July, the 193-unit New York City-based burger brand said it was testing curbside pickup at 10 restaurants, with the plan to extend the test to 50 locations by the end of Q3 in late September. At the time, the company said it was seeing as many as 40% of customers select curbside pickup when offered.

Currently, about a third of all app orders at eligible Shake Shacks are being placed for curbside pickup, the company said.

To use curbside pickup, diners must order via the Shack App at a participating restaurant. After following the in-app instructions, they park near the unit and an employee brings the meal to their car.

Shake Shack Curbside pickup.

Curbside pickup is part of the company’s Shack Track initiative to add drive-up and walk-up windows, in-store pickup shelves and other modes of ordering and pickup to make the fast casual easier to order from amid coronavirus restrictions.

The chain reported a same-store sales decline of 49% during its second quarter—and a 57% plummet at its urban locations.

Shake Shack said it plans to open its first drive-thru location next year.

 

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