How I Built This with Guy Raz Shake Shack: Danny Meyer
Jun 15, 2020
Danny Meyer, a celebrated restaurateur and founder of Shake Shack, shares his incredible journey from operating a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park to building a billion-dollar brand. He discusses the importance of community and storytelling in hospitality, the transformative evolution of Shake Shack, and the challenges faced during the pandemic. Meyer also reflects on his initial experiences in fine dining, highlighting lessons learned and the resilience required to navigate the ever-changing restaurant landscape.
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Finding Union Square Cafe
- To find his first restaurant, Danny walked around different NYC neighborhoods.
- He envisioned their potential and stumbled upon a vegetarian restaurant he wanted to buy.
Financing Union Square Cafe
- Danny Meyer borrowed money from his family to build out Union Square Cafe.
- This was structured as a loan, allowing him to own all equity after repayment.
Networking Strategy
- Danny strategically built a network by attending wine classes, connecting with Brian Miller.
- This connection proved invaluable, providing access to key figures in the food world.