# Shake Shack: Danny Meyer

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2020-06-15
- Length: 55m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-06-15-shake-shack-danny-meyer

## Summary

Danny Meyer, founder of Union Square Hospitality Group and Shake Shack, explains how a temporary hot dog cart in Madison Square Park evolved into a billion-dollar fast-casual chain. He details the strategic decision to open Union Square Cafe in 1985, his philosophy of hospitality versus service, and the operational pivot required to scale Shake Shack from a single kiosk to a global brand. Meyer also discusses the recent challenges of the pandemic, including the decision to return a PPP loan and the emotional toll of laying off staff.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-06-15-shake-shack-danny-meyer#t=0) Introduction: Danny Meyer and the Origins of Hospitality
- [4:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-06-15-shake-shack-danny-meyer#t=295) Opening Union Square Cafe and Defining Hospitality
- [28:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-06-15-shake-shack-danny-meyer#t=1706) The Hot Dog Cart Experiment in Madison Square Park
- [34:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-06-15-shake-shack-danny-meyer#t=2056) Scaling Shake Shack and the 'Rule of Two'
- [47:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-06-15-shake-shack-danny-meyer#t=2876) Pandemic Response and PPP Loan Controversy

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Shake Shack (product)
- Union Square Hospitality Group (company)
- Union Square Cafe (product)
- Gramercy Tavern (product)
- 11 Madison Park (product)
- Tabla (product)
- Chipotle (product)
- In-N-Out Burger (product)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- New York Times (company)
- Daily News (company)
- Zagat (other)
- Twitter (other)
- Pat LaFrieda (other)

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- [Founder Feature: Jenifer Shwartz of Freezcake](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-03-28-founder-feature-jenifer-shwartz-of-freezcake) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
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## Citing this page

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