NEW YORK A representative for restaurateur Danny Meyer did not deny a blog report suggesting that Union Square Hospitality Group may partner with Starbucks chief Howard Schultz in an effort to grow the company's Shake Shack burger business.
The blog, www.downbythehipster.com, claimed Tuesday that one of its informants overheard a Shake Shack employee talking on his cell phone about how Meyer was “seriously entertaining discussions” with Schultz about financing the large-scale expansion of the burger concept
Michelle Lehman, a USHG spokeswoman told Nation's Restaurant News: “Right now we are focusing on our current Shake Shacks, including [the unit at] Citi Field, and continue to seek fantastic locations in thriving neighborhoods. Other than that, we have no news to report."
Currently there are only three Shake Shack locations, all in New York City, but Meyer has made no secret of the fact that he considers the burger concept, along with the Blue Smoke barbecue concept, to be USHG’s two growth vehicles going forward.
USHG, in addition to Shake Shack and Blue Smoke, owns and operates such restaurants as Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, Tabla and The Modern.
Contact Elissa Elan at [email protected].
