Restaurant Team Member

Sweetgreen names former Shake Shack culinary leader John Karangis executive chef. Photo: Sweetgreen October 23, 2026 Sweetgreen has named John Karangis executive chef and senior vice president of culinary. The Los Angeles-based fast-casual salad chain has more than 285 locations nationwide. Karangis will lead Sweetgreen's culinary strategy, including menu innovation, strengthening the core menu and moving new offerings from the test kitchen into restaurants nationwide, according to a company press release. He will also work with the company's growers and suppliers to source new ingredients, and with its marketing, operations and supply chain teams to turn new ideas into dishes that can be prepared consistently across locations. Karangis most recently served as executive chef and vice president of culinary innovation at Shake Shack, where he led research and development, menu innovation and chef collaborations from the company's Innovation Kitchen in Manhattan. Before Shake Shack, he spent seven years as executive chef of Union Square Events, the catering and events arm of Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group. There he led culinary programming for events ranging from private dinners to large-scale functions and helped develop dining concepts for sports and cultural venues. He began his career at Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern and also worked in restaurants in Paris and San Francisco. "Sweetgreen has built an exceptional brand around fresh, high-quality food," Karangis said in the release. "I've spent my career focused on developing dishes that celebrate exceptional ingredients by treating them with care and precision. I'm thrilled to join the Sweetgreen team and to work alongside our culinary team to elevate our core menu and bring fresh new ideas to life." Jonathan Neman, co-founder and CEO of Sweetgreen, said he was excited for the perspective Karangis will bring. "He understands how to take a great idea from the kitchen and make it something customers can enjoy every day, without compromising on quality or flavor," he said in the release.

Shake Shack opens in East Meadow with drive-thru, late-night hours. Staff October 21, 2026 Greater Mineola is supported by The Farm Italy Greater Mineola coverage is funded in part by The Farm Italy, a striking neighborhood restaurant and cocktail bar bringing the simplicity, beauty and seasonal freshness of Italian dining to Westbury. Shake Shack opened its newest Long Island location Wednesday morning in East Meadow, bringing its signature burgers, crinkle-cut fries and hand-spun shakes to Hempstead Turnpike. The new restaurant, located at 1902 Hempstead Turnpike, opened at 10 a.m. and features both indoor dining and a drive-thru with a two-lane ordering system and digital menu board, according to a company announcement. It's the burger giant's ninth location on Long Island and 73rd in New York state. The East Meadow restaurant serves Shake Shack favorites, including the ShackBurger, crinkle-cut fries and milkshakes, along with rotating limited-time offerings such as its returning Black Truffle Menu. To celebrate the opening, Shake Shack said it is giving away custom tote bags to its first customers Wednesday. The company also announced it will donate $1 for every sandwich sold at the East Meadow location on opening day to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County, a nonprofit that provides educational programs in agriculture, health, youth development and environmental stewardship. According to the company, the restaurant will be open from 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Top: Long Island's newest Shake Shack is located at 1902 Hempstead Turnpike. (Courtesy photos/Shake Shack) Your Long Island news, delivered. Great Eats

Popular burger chain to open 11th Georgia location this month. Shake Shack is opening its 11th Georgia location at Medley in Johns Creek on October 30. Published Date: October 21, 2026, 3:32 AM EDT Shake Shack is opening a new location in Georgia this month. It will mark the brand's expansion in the state. The opening will be celebrated with special giveaways and donations. Shake Shack to open its 11th Georgia location in Johns Creek. Shake Shack's new location is opening at Medley in Johns Creek on October 30. It will be the brand's 11th restaurant in the state and will be located at 2100 Medley Boulevard. The restaurant will bring the brand's popular menu items to the new mixed-use development. Shake Shack is a fast-casual restaurant chain known for its burgers, hot dogs, crispy chicken, crinkle-cut fries, and milkshakes. The brand focuses on serving modern versions of classic American comfort food, using quality ingredients and emphasizing customer service. Medley is a mixed-use development designed to bring restaurants, shopping, entertainment, homes, offices, and public gathering spaces together in one destination. Shake Shack will join its dining lineup, which includes STIR and Rena's Italian Fishery & Grill, among others. The new restaurant will open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to midnight. What to expect at the new location. Shake Shack at Medley in Johns Creek will offer the brand's menu, including its seasonal specials like the Black Truffle Menu. To celebrate the opening, the brand will give the first guests custom Shake Shack tote bags. The brand will also donate $1 for every sandwich sold on opening day to Camp Twin Lakes. The organization provides camp experiences for children and families facing serious illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges. Shake Shack has supported Camp Twin Lakes since opening its Buckhead location in 2014. Its support includes ongoing programs and participation in the organization's annual Spin For Kids fundraiser. Shake Shack's new Johns Creek location adds to its presence in Georgia. It also expands Medley's growing dining lineup. Love its content? Add WhatNow as a preferred source on Google to see more of its trusted coverage when you search. Be the first to know. From new restaurant openings to exciting retail launches and real estate insights, be the first to know what's happening in Atlanta Riya Singh is a writer, editor, and poet with a background in literature and journalism. She has the passion and knowledge to create content tailored to this niche, with a strong interest in the intersections of psychology, storytelling, and human behavior.