Jonathan S.
Google
Treated with disdain and indifference by a team member who is paid to serve customers! Imagine being invited to an acquaintance’s home for Thanksgiving dinner. You ring the doorbell. The host opens the door, says nothing—no “Welcome” or “Happy Thanksgiving”—and simply points to the dining table before walking away. The food might be good, but the absence of warmth changes the entire experience.
That is what my visit to Shake Shack Green Hills felt like today.
Normally, orders at Shake Shack are placed through the self-service kiosks. However, to take part in the Veterans Day burger offer, you must go through a team member. When I first arrived, I asked one of the line cooks about the promotion, and another team member came out to assist me.
She never greeted me. She began typing on her screen, asked “Eat it here?” and “Anything else?,” which I answered. She then pointed to the payment terminal, handed me my number, and turned away. No hello. No thank you. And on a day meant to honor service members, not even a simple “Thank you for your service.”
As I was leaving, I asked for her name so that I could include it in my feedback. Her response was, “It’s OK.” I explained that I wanted to complete a survey and would like her name, and again she said, “It’s OK.” Since I was unable to obtain her name, I will note that she was a young African American woman with long blonde dreadlocks.
The interaction and her overall demeanor reflected disdain, or at best indifference, for me as a customer. It felt personal and dismissive, as though my presence was an inconvenience.
When I asked for the manager, Kevin—the shift manager and a former Marine—came over. He was courteous, professional, and immediately acknowledged the lack of courtesy shown. He apologized sincerely and represented the kind of service that builds a brand and restores confidence.
I share this not as a casual complaint but as feedback to help reinforce Shake Shack’s values of hospitality and respect. Courtesy costs nothing, yet it defines the guest experience. On Veterans Day especially, such an interaction leaves a lasting impression that should not represent the Shake Shack brand.