Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE: SHAK), the iconic modern-day roadside burger stand, has announced the appointment of Jamie Griffin as its new Chief People Officer, effective immediately. Griffin will report directly to Rob Lynch, Shake Shack’s Chief Executive Officer, and will play a key role in the company’s next phase of growth and transformation.
With over 20 years of experience in hospitality and organizational development, Griffin steps into this position at a pivotal time for Shake Shack. The company has ambitious plans to expand its footprint significantly, targeting a long-term vision of reaching 1,500 Shacks globally. This expansion will bring thousands of new employees into the Shake Shack family, underscoring the importance of cultivating a strong, people-first culture that scales with the brand’s growing operations.
Rob Lynch, who recently joined Shake Shack as CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for Griffin’s arrival, emphasizing the alignment between Griffin’s background and Shake Shack’s evolving mission.
“Jamie brings a deep passion for restaurants, an incredible track record of scaling great brands, and a genuine commitment to people,” said Lynch. “As we look toward growing to 1,500 Shacks and welcoming thousands of new team members, his leadership will be instrumental in helping us to continue to build the kind of Shake Shack that we can all be proud of.”
As Chief People Officer, Griffin will serve as a critical strategic advisor to both the executive leadership team and the Board of Directors. His role will involve overseeing all aspects of the employee lifecycle and culture strategy. He will lead the development and implementation of programs focused on talent acquisition, team member experience, leadership development, performance management, total rewards, HRIS systems, compliance, and employee relations. He will also spearhead organizational design initiatives that ensure Shake Shack continues to operate with agility, alignment, and excellence as it scales.
Griffin will be responsible for supporting the Shack Support Center HR team, further aligning people operations with enterprise goals and maintaining the core of Shake Shack’s culture: a commitment to “Enlightened Hospitality.” This cultural philosophy, which prioritizes care for team members, guests, community, suppliers, and investors—in that order—has long differentiated Shake Shack in the fast-casual restaurant space.
In a statement reflecting on his appointment, Griffin shared his excitement for joining a company that blends strong values with bold ambition.
“I’m honored to join Shake Shack at such a meaningful moment in its journey,” said Griffin. “Shake Shack’s people-first culture and bold growth align with my passion for building exceptional workplaces and cultivating the leaders who power them. I’m energized to partner with our teams to develop our people, strengthen the systems that support them, and ensure our culture scales with purpose.”
Griffin brings with him a wealth of experience in human resources and operational strategy, especially in the restaurant sector. Most notably, he served for more than a decade at Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in the U.S. During his tenure there, Griffin held a range of leadership roles across multiple departments, ultimately rising to the position of Senior Vice President. His contributions were instrumental in shaping Cane’s organizational culture and preparing the business for national expansion.
Following his time at Raising Cane’s, Griffin founded Consult to Grow®, a strategic advisory firm that partners with restaurant and hospitality clients to improve operations, develop leadership, and design scalable people strategies. Through this work, he has supported a range of clients in addressing key growth challenges, optimizing organizational effectiveness, and embedding employee-centric cultures in complex, rapidly growing businesses.
Griffin’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University. He is also a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), further reinforcing his credibility as a people-first leader.
His arrival at Shake Shack signals a renewed focus on talent development and culture as the company navigates rapid growth. The brand, known for its commitment to premium ingredients, hospitality, and community engagement, has steadily expanded its presence domestically and internationally in recent years. Shake Shack has also made significant investments in digital innovation, drive-thru formats, and urban and suburban market diversification—all of which require a strong, unified workforce to execute effectively.
With Jamie Griffin onboard, Shake Shack aims to reinforce the systems, culture, and leadership pipelines necessary to sustain its momentum. His appointment follows other recent leadership changes within the company, including the hiring of Rob Lynch, formerly CEO of Papa John’s, as Shake Shack’s new CEO in May 2024. These changes reflect the company’s sharpened focus on building a high-performing executive team that can lead it through its next era of growth and brand evolution.
Shake Shack’s expansion strategy includes not only growing the number of domestic company-operated and licensed Shacks but also further developing international markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. As the workforce expands across these geographies, Griffin’s expertise in designing scalable HR systems and leading through complexity will be crucial.
The company’s mission of “Stand For Something Good” continues to serve as the backbone of its values-driven approach to business. With Griffin’s appointment, Shake Shack is reinforcing its commitment to its people—those who bring the mission to life every day.
As Shake Shack prepares for the future, Griffin will play an essential role in ensuring that its employee culture remains as iconic as its burgers and shakes. His leadership is expected to elevate not only Shake Shack’s internal employee experience but also its employer brand in an increasingly competitive labor market.
About Shake Shack
Shake Shack Inc. is a modern-day “roadside” burger stand serving a classic American menu of premium burgers, hot dogs, crinkle-cut fries, shakes, frozen custard, beer, wine, and more. Founded in 2004 in New York City’s Madison Square Park, the company has grown into one of the world’s most beloved fast-casual restaurant brands, with hundreds of locations across the U.S. and internationally.
