Shake Shack Plots Second Metro Detroit Outpost

Hot off the heels of its Michigan debut, Shake Shack is preparing to drop a second restaurant in metro Detroit. The Danny Meyer-backed burger chain managed to fly under the radar with its announcement last month that a new Shack was headed to Troy. The outpost is slated to land at 888 W. Big Beaver Road near The Somerset Collection by late-2017.

Despite the chain’s popularity, it’s already faced some hurdles in Troy. Some members of the city’s planning commission raised concerns about Shake Shack’s signage, according to the Troy Times. The standard Shake Shack sign features a list of the restaurant’s menu items including frozen custard, fries, shakes, hot dogs, floats, and cones. However, at least one commissioner questioned whether that sign format would fit with the surrounding businesses.

The company was asked to resubmit its site plan and the revisions were unanimously approved. According to the Times, the restaurant could arrive as soon as September.

Michelle and Chris Gerard

Troy’s Shake Shack would be the second location in Michigan. The first debuted earlier this year in near Campus Martius in downtown Detroit, attracting long lines.

The New York-based company is considered to be one of the better burger chains out there — often drawing comparisons with California cult favorite In-N-Out. The big draw is, of course, the burgers, which are made with juicy Angus patties and served on Martin's Potato Rolls. However, Shake Shack often incorporates local flavors into its menu items. For example, the Detroit restaurant’s concretes (blended frozen custard treats) feature ingredients from Sister Pie, Bon Bon Bon, Zingerman’s, and Rocky’s. The Troy restaurant is also expected to highlight local businesses.

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