Why Is Shake Shack So Expensive?

There's a lot to love about Shake Shack, with its expansive menu of burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, and fries. One gripe that comes up over and over among Shake Shack customers, however, is the high cost of its food. Over on Reddit, entire threads dedicated to complaining about the chain's prices pop up frequently, eliciting comments like this one: "Two cheeseburgers, two fries, two sodas at Shake Shack in an LA mall was ridiculously expensive, $30 plus." In October 2024, a far-reaching survey determined Shake Shack to be the most overpriced restaurant around, taking into account eateries ranging from fast food to fine dining.

The prices at Shake Shack are generally higher than at your local McDonald's, Wendy's, or Burger King, true, but they aren't wholly unjustified. For instance, some people choose to skip In-N-Out because the burger joint still uses beef made from antibiotic-treated cattle, while Shake Shack's corporate animal welfare policy mandates that customers are never served beef treated with antibiotics or hormones. The Shack is also one of the few fast food restaurants that uses all chicken in its chicken fingers and sandwiches, even though this premium ingredient shrinks margins and can be a real pain to process and serve. On its menu, Shake Shack boasts that its thick, delicious milkshakes are made with real cane sugar and cage-free eggs. One reason that you are paying so much for a meal at Shake Shack might be because its food is objectively higher in quality than competitors.

Are there ways to save money at Shake Shack?

In the division of fast food vs. fast casual chains, Shake Shack definitely falls in the latter camp, meaning that there is more of a focus on ingredients and presentation than at a drive-thru, which is dedicated to cheap, quick meals. That doesn't mean, however, that there aren't ways you can access some deals at Shake Shack, especially if you know your way around its app. The chain will occasionally release BOGO and percentage-off promotions for app users that can really cut into the cost of your lunch or dinner, especially if you are bringing a friend or loved one along. Personalized offers are also sent to users through the app, including birthday freebies and deals for occasions like National Fry Day. There's even a generous welcome offer for those downloading the app for the first time. The chain also offers a rewards program that can earn you free food over time, which is always a nice perk.

To be fair, not all customers love having to download an app for every restaurant they frequent, and so it's understandable if someone's resistant to accessing deals this way. With that said, Shake Shack's app is far and away the best way to get money-saving deals if you enjoy the food there. If you visit frequently, it may be worth checking out.

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