Will there be lines around the block when Shake Shack opens in Colorado Springs this month? The gourmet, fast-casual Shake Shack is known for its cult-like following and history of massive lines — true of its New York City origins and true when it hit Denver in 2018. And clamoring waves have certainly been the trend when other beloved burger chains have hit the Springs — looking at you, In-N-Out and Whataburger. So start making your plans now because Shake Shack has theirs set. The uber-popular burger joint is planning to open its Colorado Springs Interquest shack on Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. with a grand opening ribbon cutting celebration at 10:30 a.m.
“We are so excited to continue expanding in Colorado and bringing our first Shake Shack to the Colorado Springs area off of Interquest Pkwy,” said Andrew McCaughan, chief development officer of Shake Shack, in a press release. “We’re really looking forward to seeing the Colorado Springs community on Nov. 9 and welcoming them to enjoy our quality ingredients, exciting menu and warm hospitality!”
The Colorado Springs Interquest Shake Shack at 9723 Federal Dr. will be the highest elevation Shake Shack in the United States. The restaurant also will have an expansive patio and a drive-thru. Its menu will include Shake Shack’s “elevated versions of American classics,” including made-to-order Angus beef burgers, crispy chicken, hand-spun milkshakes, house-made lemonades, beer, wine and more. It will include a current limited-time Hot Menu that includes the Spicy Shackmeister Burger, Hot Chicken, Spicy Fries with Ranch Sauce and Spicy Cheese Fries with Ranch Sauce. And the Interquest Shack also will offer a Colorado exclusive menu item year-round: the Green Chile CheddarShack, featuring white cheddar, scallions and marinated green chilis.
The location will be Colorado’s 10th Shack Shake location, including Denver International Airport. It is also the southernmost Colorado location to date as the chain has moved southward from Denver. Last year, Shake Shack opened the Greenwood Village Shack, featuring the state’s first drive up pickup, and the Castle Rock Shack, featuring the state’s first drive-thru.
The original Shake Shack was opened by celebrity chef Danny Meyer as a small hot dog stand in 2001 as part of an effort by New York City to revitalize Madison Square Park, which had fallen into disrepair. The goal was to raise funds for a public art project. Unfortunately, the stand lost money for its first three years. But as park revitalization efforts continued,Meyer converted the stand into a permanent, kiosk-style fast food restaurant in 2004, serving gourmet hamburgers, hot dogs, crinkle-cut french fries and milkshakes. It became wildly popular with lines often stretching around the block and wait times to reach the counter reportedly reaching two or three hours at times. Collaborative special menu offerings with famous chefs such as David Chang and Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud didn’t hurt. An initial public offering in 2015 valued the company at more than $1.5 billion, and now the publicly-owned company includes more than 470 shacks worldwide
During its Colorado Springs opening, the first 100 guests will receive custom Shake Shack swag: a limited edition Shake Shack mug. And as a part of the company’s larger mission to Stand for Something Good, Shake Shack will donate $1 for every sandwich sold at the Interquest Shack on Nov. 9 to Colorado Springs-based Care and Share Food Bank, a partner food bank of Feeding America that provides nourishing meals to neighbors in need across 29 counties in Southern Colorado.
The 3,200-square-foot Interquest Shack will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily for in-Shack dining, drive-thru and to-go orders. Shake Shack is currently hiring for its Interquest and all Colorado Shack locations. For more information, visit.
You an preview the menu and learn more at shakeshack.com.
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