Episode Details

Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer tells Firing Line how a hot dog cart became a global brand—and why some of his biggest failures taught him the most about business.

The restaurateur explains the philosophy behind “enlightened hospitality,” why he puts employees before customers, and what closing his first restaurant taught him about failure. He also reveals why his experiment to eliminate tipping collapsed—and why America’s tipping explosion has gone too far.

Meyer recalls his complicated relationship with Anthony Bourdain, weighs in on Zohran Mamdani’s first year as New York City mayor, influencer culture and AI in restaurants, and reflects on four decades spent endeavoring to make guests feel welcome.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.