The Economics of Everyday Things 82. Chain Restaurant Recipes
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Mar 3, 2025 Discover the secrets behind Shake Shack's culinary innovation as their team creates new menu items. Learn about the meticulous process of crafting consistent and cost-effective recipes for chain restaurants. Explore how to make gourmet sauces like truffle sauce using domestic ingredients while maintaining quality. Dive into the complexities of recipe standardization and operational efficiency, and see how diverse menus can be balanced with effective staff training for a great dining experience!
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Shake Shack's Secret Kitchen
- Shake Shack's culinary innovation VP, John Karangis, develops new menu items in a secret test kitchen.
- The Smoke Shack burger, with cherry peppers, exemplifies their balance of richness and acidity.
Chain Restaurant Challenges
- Chain restaurants face unique recipe challenges compared to single-unit operations.
- Large-scale production requires consistency in quality, cost, and preparation.
From Trend to Table (or Not)
- Shake Shack's menu development starts with market trends, then moves to the Innovation Kitchen.
- A watercress burger was scrapped due to inconsistent supply chain availability.