Hairy Dawg, ShackBurgers And Drive-Thru Drama As Shake Shack Hits Athens

Shake Shack is rolling into Athens with its first local drive-thru, opening Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. The new Shack, taking over the former Gusto spot on Alps Road, is set to launch with opening-day giveaways, an in-person visit from UGA mascot Hairy Dawg and a donation tied directly to sandwich sales.

According to WhatNow, doors and drive-thru lanes will open at 10:30 a.m. on March 4, with $1 from every sandwich sold that day going to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. WhatNow also reports regular hours as 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and notes that Shake Shack is planning custom swag and giveaways for guests on opening day.

Where It’s Opening

The new Shack is moving into 161 Alps Road, next to Cava and Chipotle, in the space left behind after the short-lived Gusto closed last year. Flagpole previously reported that the chain filed renovation plans with Athens-Clarke County in mid-2025. The Athens Area Chamber’s business directory now lists a Shake Shack at that address, suggesting that buildout and staffing are already in motion.

Menu And The Drive-Thru Setup

The Athens location will feature Shake Shack staples like the ShackBurger and crinkle-cut fries and is expected to carry the chain’s recently relaunched Korean-style K-Shack menu, which drew national coverage when it returned in January. Food Network reviewed the K-Shack lineup and its new items, while WhatNow notes that the Athens drive-thru will feature a one-lane ordering system paired with digital menu boards so customers can order without leaving their cars.

How This Fits Into The Local Scene

The opening drops a major national burger player into an already busy stretch of Alps Road, where chains and local concepts have been jockeying for attention and traffic. ToNeTo Atlanta and other local outlets have followed Shake Shack’s broader push for drive-thru-equipped locations across metro Atlanta, a shift that could tweak both traffic flow and lunchtime routines around the corridor.

Practical Details

The Athens Shack is located at 161 Alps Rd, Athens, GA 30606, and the Athens Area Chamber lists a local phone number for the site. Local job boards already show Shake Shack postings for Athens, signaling that hiring is underway ahead of the March 4 debut. For the latest on listings and business details, check the Athens Area Chamber directory and job sites such as Indeed.