“Now we have an opportunity” – NBC New York

• Shake Shack CEO Rob Lynch has outlined plans to expand nationwide and internationally, suggesting the burger chain fits into the “fine casual dining” niche that many in the industry don’t fill.
• After about a decade in business, Shake Shack launched in New York City as part of restaurateur Danny Meyer’s empire.
• Shares jumped Wednesday after the chain reported a drop in profits.

In an interview with CNBC on Wednesday Jim Cramer, Shake Shack CEO Rob Lynch discussed plans to expand nationally and internationally, suggesting the eatery chain fits into the “fine casual dining” niche that many in the industry don’t fill.

“You know, we have big ambitions. My goal is to introduce Shake Shack to the world,” Lynch said. “I don’t think Shake Shack has any competition. We talk about ourselves as part of a beautiful everyday movement, leaders of a beautiful everyday movement.”

After about ten years in business, Shake Shack began business in New York City as part of Danny Meyer’s restaurant empire. Meijer is known locally for several renowned eateries throughout the city at various price points, including Union Square Cafe and Michelin-starred Gramercy Tavern.

Lynch said Shake Shack currently has about 330 company-owned restaurants. This reported profits exceeded Wednesday’s figures and ended the session up 7.79%.

Lynch said many people eat at Shake Shack while on vacation in places like New York or California, adding that the chain has locations at the high-traffic airports of JFK, LaGuardia and Newark. But he stressed he wants to change that dynamic and said the company is experimenting with new formats such as travel passes.

Lynch said Shake Shack has locations in about 25 countries in the Middle East and Asia, as well as the United Kingdom. He noted that “continental Europe is still wide open” but said management is being careful about where they choose to open new restaurants and who they partner with.

“We were very selective,” he said. “Now we have the opportunity to take all of that and start opening up new markets and bringing Shake Shack to a lot more countries.”

Register now to have the CNBC Investment Club follow Jim Cramer’s every move in the market.

Disclaimer

Questions for Kramer?
Call Kramer: 1-800-743-CNBC.

Want to take a deep dive into Kramer’s world? Hit him!
Mad Money on Twitter – Jim Cramer Twitter – Facebook – Instagram

Questions, comments, suggestions about the Mad Money website? [email protected]