SHAKE SHACK'S COMING TO BROOKLYN!

BP MARKOWITZ, DANNY MEYER ANNOUNCE SHAKE SHACK COMING TO DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN'S FULTON MALL

On Tuesday, November 9, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined restaurateur Danny Meyer, New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Rob Walsh and Downtown Brooklyn Partnership President Joe Chan to announce that Shake Shake is coming to Fulton Mall in Downtown Brooklyn. Also representing Shake Shack were CEO David Swinghamer and COO Randy Garutti (full press release below).

"Bravo to Shake Shack for finally hitting the big time in Brooklyn, further solidifying our status as one of America's premier culinary destinations," said BP Markowitz. "After years of pitching Danny Meyer, I am thrilled he is bringing his legendary burgers, flat-top dogs and frozen custard to Downtown Brooklyn, right in the heart of our new 24/7 live-work city center and its diverse retail, new hotels and expanding arts and cultural corridor. Soon, you will be able to walk the "beefed up" Fulton Mall and get a ShackBurger, do some shopping and finish off with a cheesecake from Junior's--plus everything in between."

Photo by Kathryn Kirk

In photo (left to right): Rob Walsh, commissioner, New York City Department of Small Business Services; Danny Meyer, CEO, Union Square Hospitality Group; David Swinghamer, CEO, Shake Shack; BP Markowitz; Randy Garutti, COO, Shake Shack; Joe Chan, president, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership

Press release from Union Square Hospitality Group:

Contacts: Theresa Mullen, 646.747.7217 / tmullen@ushgnyc.com

WELCOME TO BROOKLYN: NEW HOME OF SHAKE SHACK

Beloved Burger, Hot Dog and Frozen Custard Stand Opening in Downtown Brooklyn

Wednesday, November 9, 2010 New York - Shake Shack to open in Brooklyn, NY! Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) plans to open Shake Shack at a prime location in Downtown Brooklyn across from Borough Hall at the gateway to the Fulton Mall - one of the oldest and most successful shopping destinations in NYC's largest borough.

One of New York's most lauded eateries and beloved community and family gathering places, Shake Shack is a modern day "roadside" burger stand known for its delicious all-natural burgers, hot dogs, seasonal frozen custard, beer, wine and more. The new Shack will make its home at the confluence of Fulton Street, Willoughby Street and Adams Street in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn.

"My colleagues and I are ecstatic to announce plans for this Brooklyn Shake Shack," said Shake Shack CEO David Swinghamer. "We've had our sights set on Brooklyn for quite some time, and this Downtown location located across from Borough Hall and Columbus Park is the ideal next home for Shake Shack."

"I am proud and excited to share our plans to open Shake Shack in Downtown Brooklyn," shared Danny Meyer, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group. "We adore Brooklyn, and are inspired by the borough that is leading one of the most exciting food revolutions I've seen in my entire career. It will be an honor for us to become employers and citizens of this vibrant metropolitan community and our team looks forward to welcoming residents and visitors, alike."

"Bravo to Shake Shack for finally hitting the big time in Brooklyn, further solidifying our status as one of America's premier culinary destinations," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. "After years of pitching Danny Meyer, I am thrilled he is bringing his legendary burgers, flat-top dogs and frozen custard to Downtown Brooklyn, right in the heart of our new 24/7 live-work city center and its diverse retail, new hotels and expanding arts and cultural corridor . Soon, you will be able to walk the "beefed up" Fulton Mall and get a ShackBurger, do some shopping and finish off with a cheesecake from Junior's - plus everything in between."

The Brooklyn Shake Shack will build upon the success of five siblings throughout New York City - Madison Square Park (the original Shack, founded in 2004), Upper West Side (2008), Citi Field - home of the New York Mets (2009), Theater District (July 2010) and Upper East Side (August 2010), as well as its new Miami Beach Shack (June 2010) and Saratoga Race Course outpost in Saratoga Springs, NY (2010). Shake Shack also recently announced plans for a location in Washington, DC, New York's Battery Park City and Westport, CT - all scheduled for 2011.

"This will very quickly become one of Brooklyn's newest top attractions," Small Business Services Commissioner Rob Walsh said. "The addition of a culinary institution like Shake Shack in downtown Brooklyn will be great for the surrounding community and local businesses, and I'm sure we will see many residents and visitors coming together to enjoy great food and drink from the moment it opens its doors."

Already one of the city's most active central business districts, Downtown Brooklyn is home to one of the busiest retail corridors in the nation and over 40 arts and cultural organizations, as well as eight universities and colleges with over 57,000 students, and there are more than 100,000 office workers in the area. Since 2006, more than $3 billion has been invested in Downtown Brooklyn from the private sector yielding over 5,000 residential units, 880,000 square feet of commercial space and 1,000 hotel rooms.

"From the introduction of new retailers to the emergence of a dynamic residential community and the construction of new streetscape and open space, Downtown Brooklyn's resurgence is the envy of downtowns across America," said Downtown Brooklyn President Joe Chan. "We are delighted that Danny Meyer - a great restaurateur and business leader - has decided to join the growing roster of quality dining and shopping options that are coming here."

With its deep commitment to employees and its industry-leading management training program, Shake Shack has become a highly sought-after employer. Recently, Time Out New York featured Shake Shack in its "Best Jobs" issue. "We are excited to create new jobs in this area and to welcome the next generation of Shake Shack employees to our first Brooklyn outpost," said Swinghamer.

Shake Shack was born from a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park created by Union Square Hospitality Group to support the Madison Square Park Conservancy's first art installation "I ♥Taxi." The cart was a success and lines formed daily, so it re-opened for an additional two summers in 2002 and 2003. In July 2004 USHG was awarded the contract from New York City's Department of Parks & Recreation and the Madison Square Park Conservancy to create a permanent food kiosk in the park. Shake Shack opened and instantly became a NYC institution with a loyal following, receiving numerous accolades from the press including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Magazine, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, Food Network and The TODAY Show among others, and was voted one of the Most Popular Restaurants in New York according to Zagat.

Shake Shack is part of Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), which includes several of New York City's most celebrated restaurants: Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, Tabla, Blue Smoke/Jazz Standard, Shake Shack, The Modern, Cafe 2 and Terrace 5, located at The Museum of Modern Art, El Verano Taquería and Box Frites (both at Citi Field), Maialino, as well as Union Square Events and Hospitality Quotient, a learning business. USHG is best known for its blend of excellent food and its unique style of warm hospitality. Actively involved in the community, USHG and its employees are committed to extending its enlightened hospitality beyond the walls of its restaurants through its support of hunger relief and civic organizations as well as other causes. Meyer, his restaurants, and chefs have earned an unprecedented 21 James Beard Awards, as well as numerous other media accolades. Three of the five "Most Popular" restaurants in the New York Zagat Survey are part of Union Square Hospitality Group, including Gramercy Tavern, which has held the #1 spot six times. www.ushgnyc.com