EARNINGS PER SHARE - Schedule of Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2017	Mar. 30, 2016
Numerator:
Net income	$ 3,862	$ 3,351
Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interests	1,595	1,889
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAKE SHACK INC.	$ 2,267	$ 1,462
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding—basic (in shares)	25,376	20,353
Effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding—diluted (in shares)	25,955	20,812
Earnings (loss) per share of Class A common stock—basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ 0.07
Earnings (loss) per share of Class A common stock—diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ 0.07
Stock options
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options (in shares)	552	459
Performance stock units
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options (in shares)	27	0