Shake Shack Founder’s Restaurant Group to Require Customers Show Proof of Vaccination

Meyer, whose company has a number of well-known restaurants in New York City and Washington, said the policy would not extend to Shake Shack and that the franchise would implement its own policy.

Following the announcement, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted that the city “fully supports this move.”

“This is huge,” de Blasio tweeted. “[Danny Meyer] is one of the most influential restaurant owners in the business and when he leads, others follow. New York City fully supports this move.

More businesses should mandate vaccines for the safety of workers and the safety of our city.”

The move advances current requirements in many places, where businesses and restaurants rely on the honor system to patrol the use of face coverings among the unvaccinated.

While scattered establishments have imposed similar restrictions, it remains to be seen if a policy requiring patrons to show proof of vaccination will gain traction with other large companies.

The requirement will be enforced beginning Sept. 7 in the group’s full-service restaurants in New York and Washington.

“We’re going to give our employees 45 days to make the choice and hopefully this will be the incentive that really makes them say, ‘You know what? Now I’m going to do it,'” Meyer said.

He added that a “vast majority” of the group’s employees have already been vaccinated against COVID-19. The group provides employees with eight hours of pay to receive each shot and offers vaccinations in some restaurants.