Shake Shack has launched Project Catalyst, a multi-year technology upgrade intended to support its goal of operating 1,500 company-owned restaurants.
The programme spans in-store systems, digital channels, data infrastructure and AI tools, to standardise and scale operations across the estate.
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Shake Shack CEO Rob Lynch said: “Shake Shack is entering a significant phase of growth, and building the right foundation to support that scale is a top priority.
“Project Catalyst strengthens the technology and digital capabilities that power our restaurants and connect us more meaningfully with our guests.
“These investments will help our teams operate more efficiently, enhance the guest experience, and position Shake Shack to scale successfully toward 1,500 company-operated Shacks.”
A key part of the plan is updated point-of-sale (POS) and kitchen display systems (KDS).
Shake Shack has appointed cloud-native unified commerce provider Qu to help rework these systems with the intention of improving speed, order accuracy and overall execution in its kitchens.
The company is also preparing to roll out its first formal loyalty programme.
Project Catalyst further includes the development of a new suite of proprietary AI capabilities.
These tools are expected to be used to support restaurant operations, refine guest interactions and increase productivity at a corporate level.
Alongside this, Shake Shack is overhauling its underlying data architecture.
The enhanced data platform is intended to provide quicker and more reliable access to operational and customer insights and will form the core environment for the company’s expanding AI initiatives.
Shake Shack chief information and technology officer Justin Mennen said: “Project Catalyst brings together modern restaurant systems, advanced data platforms, and AI-driven capabilities that help our teams operate more efficiently and make faster decisions.”
