Fox Business | 17:16 08-12-2025 | Finance
Shake Shack, the New York City-based fast-casual restaurant chain, has shut down its location at the San Francisco Westfield mall on December 14. The decision to close the establishment has impacted 26 employees. This move comes as part of a broader strategy by Westfield’s new owners, who are clearing all the tenants from the struggling downtown property.
While the closure of the Shake Shack location has a direct impact on the workers, it also signals a significant shift for the mall’s ongoing operations. According to reports, the new owners have plans to replace the exiting tenants with alternative enterprises to revive the struggling mall. However, specific plans for the new business ventures to be brought into the property have yet to be disclosed.
Shake Shack's closing marks the latest in a series of tenant departures from the San Francisco Westfield mall. However, the current situation is unique because it involves the new owners' deliberate strategy to empty the facility, not a decision made in direct response to economic conditions or a failure of the tenants' businesses.
The broader implication of this tactic by the new owners is yet to be seen. However, it is clear that the decision echoes a broader trend in declining mall traffic and changing consumer interests. It also signals a possible shift in strategy for managing underperforming commercial properties, with a focus on revamping the tenant mix.