Operations

Former Inspire Brands exec Stephanie Sentell named COO of Shake Shack

The former SVP of operations for the Dunkin' and Arby's parent will oversee Shake Shack's company-operated U.S. restaurants.
Shack Shack has more than 340 restaurants in the U.S. and 190 international units. | Photo: Shutterstock.

Shake Shack has a new COO.

Stephanie Sentell, who was most recently a senior vice president of company operations at Inspire Brands, was named COO at Shake Shack on Monday, effective July 1.

“I have known Stephanie for more than 10 years and she is one of the most dynamic and compassionate leaders that I have ever worked with,” said Rob Lynch, Shake Shack’s CEO, in a statement. “She brings a wealth of operational experience and has consistently improved margins and enhanced operational efficiencies across brands, channels and formats, including drive-thru, with a data driven approach that will further improve and optimize the way we operate our Shacks.”

He added that Sentell has “the passion and strong leadership skills to build upon the principles of Enlightened Hospitality—she knows how to develop great teams, how to solve complex problems and has an accountability mindset that will guide our teams into a bright future.”

Sentell spent more than 11 years at Inspire Brands and Arby’s. Before that, she spent 11 years at Dairy Queen as director of marketing and a franchise owner.

At Shake Shack, Sentell will oversee all company-operated U.S. restaurants, and she will report to Lynch, who stepped into that job in May. Shake Shack has more than 530 units, including more than 340 in the U.S.

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