Shake Shack’s Shares Rise After Activist Investor Takes Stake

  • The firm owns a 6.6% stake in the popular burger chain
  • Analysts say the company is already on the right track

Food from a Shake Shack Inc. restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky.

Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg
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Shake Shack Inc. shares rose as much as 8.9% Monday on news that activist investor Engaged Capital has taken a stake in the burger chain and is pushing for changes.

The firm owns about 6.6% of the company and is planning a proxy fight seeking three board seats, among other actions to help boost the stock price. Engaged’s campaign follows a period of eroded sales growth and margins as the chain grappled with lower traffic and elevated costs during the pandemic.