SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 23, 2020

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Shake Shack Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and on a basis consistent in all material respects with the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2019 ("2019 Form 10-K"). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally presented in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in our 2019 Form 10-K. In our opinion, all adjustments, which are normal and recurring in nature, necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operation have been included. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full fiscal year.

SSE Holdings is considered a variable interest entity. Shake Shack Inc. is the primary beneficiary as we have the majority economic interest in SSE Holdings and, as the sole managing member, have decision making authority that significantly affects the economic performance of the entity, while the limited partners have no substantive kick-out or participating rights. As a result, we consolidate SSE Holdings. The assets and liabilities of SSE Holdings represent substantially all of our consolidated assets and liabilities with the exception of certain deferred taxes and liabilities under the Tax Receivable Agreement. As of September 23, 2020 and December 25, 2019, the net assets of SSE Holdings were $388,789 and $270,542, respectively. The assets of SSE Holdings are subject to certain restrictions in SSE Holdings' revolving credit agreement. See Note 8, Debt, for more information.

Fiscal Year

We operate on a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the last Wednesday in December. Fiscal 2020 contains 53 weeks and ends on December 30, 2020. Fiscal 2019 contained 52 weeks and ended on December 25, 2019. Unless otherwise stated, references to years in this report relate to fiscal years.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the

date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

We adopted the Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) summarized below in fiscal 2020.


Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)	Description	Date Adopted
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13)	This standard replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.	December 26, 2019
Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (ASU 2020-04)	This standard provides optional guidance for a limited time to ease the potential accounting burden associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.	Effective upon issuance (March 12, 2020)

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements


Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)	Description	Expected Impact	Effective Date
Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (ASU 2019-12)	This standard simplifies various aspects related to accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), and clarifying certain aspects of the current guidance to promote consistency among reporting entities.	The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.	December 31, 2020 Early adoption is permitted.