Danny Meyer

Date of Birth: March 14, 1958

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Biography

Danny Meyer is a renowned American restaurateur and businessman, widely recognized as the CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG). Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Meyer developed an early interest in food and hospitality, influenced by his family’s frequent dining experiences and his travels in Europe. He attended Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and later enrolled at New York University to study political science. Meyer began his professional journey in the restaurant industry in the mid-1980s. In 1985, at the age of 27, he opened his first restaurant, Union Square Cafe, in New York City. The establishment quickly became a beloved institution, praised for its innovative cuisine and exceptional service. Over the years, Meyer expanded his culinary empire, founding several celebrated restaurants, including Gramercy Tavern, Blue Smoke, and The Modern. In 2004, he launched Shake Shack, a modern-day “roadside” burger stand that initially started as a hot dog cart inside Madison Square Park. Shake Shack’s success led to its expansion into a global chain, with locations across the United States and internationally. Meyer is also known for his pioneering work in the field of “Enlightened Hospitality,” a business philosophy that emphasizes the importance of employees and guests’ well-being, which has become a cornerstone of USHG’s culture.

5 Interesting Facts about Danny Meyer

1. Danny Meyer wrote the best-selling business book “Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business.”

2. He is a strong advocate for eliminating tipping in restaurants and has implemented a “Hospitality Included” policy in several of his establishments.

3. Union Square Cafe, Meyer’s first restaurant, has won numerous awards, including being named Zagat’s Most Popular Restaurant in New York City multiple times.

4. Meyer has a deep interest in wine and co-owns the wine-centric restaurant Marta and the wine bar Vini e Fritti.

5. He serves on the board of directors for Share Our Strength, a nonprofit organization working to end childhood hunger in America.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Danny Meyer

1. “Business, like life, is all about how you make people feel. It’s that simple, and it’s that hard.”

2. “The road to success is paved with mistakes well handled.”

3. “Hospitality is almost impossible to teach. It’s all about hiring the right people.”

4. “At the core of every successful business is a team that genuinely cares—about each other, about the work they’re doing, and about the people they’re serving.”

5. “The excellence reflex is a natural reaction to fix something that isn’t right or to improve something that could be better.”