Shack Shack is switching it’s crinkle fry recipe up, and testing a sustainable oil in two New York City locations before possibly taking it nationwide. A partnership with the brand Zero Acre would see Shake Shack replace the oil that they currently use for the ” healthier” alternative.
The chain currently uses Soybean oil in the deep-fryer, and the environmentally-friendly cooking oil, Zero Acre is a Sugarcane oil that supposedly won’t alter the taste of the fries.
A press release announced the “Zero Acre oil is high in heart-healthy monosaturated fat, which is more stable for frying than the polyunsaturated fats found in most vegetable oils.”
The Sugarcane oil would also be used in the making of the Shroom Burger, the Chicken Shack, and Shake Shack.
Jeffrey Amoscato, Senior Vice President of supply chain said, “We’re continuously exploring new ways to reduce our environmental footprint. We remain committed to to exploring initiatives that help us become a more sustainable business.”
Anytime a beloved fan favorite is tinkered with, it can backfire in a big way, like in 2013 when the chain received backlash from upset customers for switching from frozen fries to fresh potatoes prepared on-the-spot.
Loyalty to favorite dishes and menu items is not to be underestimated. On the flip side, if Five Guys were to switch from using fresh potatoes, making their fries in-house…over to frozen fries…you better believe there would be a vocal protest.
Fast food chains have been exploring sustainable solutions in their business model’s to help combat climate change. Researchers in Australia have been testing wrappers made from a seaweed biopolymer that would break down once disposed.
McDonald’s food waste and packaging alone produces around three tonnes of waste…a minute, and two million tonnes of packaging waste a year.
Shake Shack is on the right path with the new deep-frying oil, it’s just a question of if it will affect the taste of their famous crinkle fries.
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