Leadership

Shake Shack gives its CFO an added title: President

Tara Comonte, who has led the chain’s tech expansion and other initiatives, takes on the expanded role.
Photograph: Shutterstock

Shake Shack promoted its chief financial officer to an expanded role of president and CFO, the fast-casual chain announced Wednesday.

Tara Comonte will now focus on “scaling the company’s infrastructure, broadening support and guidance across day-to-day operations, and encouraging the successful execution of the company’s strategic priorities,” according to a statement from the New York City-based brand.

Comonte, who joined the chain 2017, has been a central leader in Shake Shack’s systemwide tech upgrade, known as Project Concrete. She has moved the company toward a greater focus on digital innovation, as well as championed diversity and inclusion initiatives. She will continue to oversee finance, accounting, technology, internal audit and legal departments.

“She’s had a tremendously positive impact across the company over the last few years, and combined with her proven track record, Tara’s expanded role will now benefit so many other areas of our business while allowing me to focus even more on where we’re headed,” Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti said in a statement.

Shake Shack, which opened in 2004, now has more than 250 units, including more than 85 international locations.

In August, Shake Shack announced a partnership with Grubhub to roll out nationwide delivery over much of the next year. The chain reported a systemwide sales increase of 33.2% to $225.9 million for the quarter ended June 26.

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