From hot dog cart to hospitality empire | How Danny Meyer, founder of Union Square Hospitality Group, became the greatest restaurateur NYC has ever seen

As founder and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group and Shake Shack, Danny Meyer has grown his empire to include some of New York’s most beloved and acclaimed restaurants and cafes. Together, Danny’s restaurants and team have won an unprecedented 28 James Beard Awards – the food industry’s highest honor.

But it’s not just great food that sets Danny’s restaurants apart from the rest. It’s what people experience and feel when they’re eating there. In fact, Danny Meyer’s story is a remarkable testament to the sheer power of hospitality. 

In this episode, we explore the unique and celebrated culture of hospitality that Danny has created. He shares with Tony how he’s managed to scale that culture across Union Square Hospitality Group, as well as Shake Shack, the fast-casual restaurant Danny founded back in 2001. With Danny at the helm, what started as a single hot dog cart in Madison Square Garden is now a publicly traded company with over 250 locations and 6,000 employees.

Listen closely, because Danny also shares the six qualities he looks for when hiring employees – from dishwashers to executive chefs – and what he thinks it takes for entrepreneurs across all industries to succeed in business.