Shake Shack will plant its second flag in Western New York at 5205 Transit Road in Clarence, staking out the former Spot Coffee space as its alternate full-service Buffalo-area restaurant.
Shake Shack sets second Western New York home in Clarence, taking over the old Spot Coffee spot on Transit Road.
The brand’s move adds to its menu innovation push, mixing gourmet burgers with quirky milkshakes like Oreo Cookie Funnel Cake and Campfire S’mores. That lineup will test regional competition from local burger joints and other national chains now fighting for Buffalo diners.
Shake Shack’s new spot joins the Niagara Falls Boulevard Shack that opened May 21, 2025, and the smaller Angola rest stop kiosk on the New York State Thruway.
No opening date has been set, but planners call Transit Road a busy suburban corridor perfect for more hungry families. With its 2025 expansion into drive-thru formats, the Clarence site could mirror company plans to add lanes at select suburban Shacks. The company has added 34 new sites nationwide in early 2025, with 18 run directly by Shack HQ, showing a steady march into fresh markets like Buffalo, Naples, Florida, and Oklahoma City.
Founded as a 2001 hot-dog cart, Shake Shack now runs more than 255 outlets. Its growth plan for 2026 includes casino restaurants, drive-thru lanes, airport counters, and its initial cocktail bar within an Atlanta Shack. Those choices reflect a goal to reach every big travel hub and everyday neighborhood strip.
Western New York’s debut Shack saw long lines at launch, proving local demand. Leaders expect the Clarence location to carry that momentum deeper into Erie County. Analysts read the expansion as a bet on the region’s growing economy and strong consumer spending.
Inside every Shack, guests pick smashed Angus beef patties, crispy chicken, crinkle fries, and decadent frozen custard shakes. Managers say the brand blends fast service with fresh ingredients and sleek design, aiming to feel a step above typical fast food.
As Shake Shack locks in real estate on Transit Road, rivals can expect sharper menu innovation and intensified regional competition over the next year.
