Shake Shack Shares Slip Amid Rising Oil Prices

Shake Shack stock declines as rising crude oil costs raise concerns over operational expenses and consumer spending.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 6:37am

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Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE:SHAK) shares fell 6.23% during regular trading on Thursday due to concerns over rising crude oil prices and their potential impact on the fast casual restaurant chain's operational costs and consumer spending. The stock edged up slightly in after-hours trading despite the earlier decline. The company also disclosed that its Chief Operating Officer sold shares under a pre-arranged plan and that a board member will be resigning, adding to the stock's pressure.

Why it matters

Rising oil prices can significantly impact the food service industry, which relies on commercial LPG for daily operations. This could lead to higher expenses for Shake Shack and potentially reduced consumer spending, putting pressure on the company's financial performance. The insider stock sale and board member departure also raise questions about the company's outlook.

The details

Shake Shack shares fell 6.23% during regular trading on Thursday to close at $86.81. The decline was driven by a surge in crude oil prices due to geopolitical conflicts, sparking concerns over rising operational costs and potential declines in consumer spending for the fast casual restaurant chain. In after-hours trading, the stock edged up slightly to $86.86. A Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Tuesday showed that Shake Shack's Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Sentell sold 225 shares at $93.60 on March 6 under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan, while retaining 15,342 shares. Additionally, the company confirmed in a separate filing on Monday that director Joshua Silverman will resign effective May 1, reducing the board from nine to eight members.

  • On March 6, Shake Shack's COO sold 225 shares at $93.60.
  • On Monday, Shake Shack announced that director Joshua Silverman will resign effective May 1.

The players

Stephanie Sentell

Chief Operating Officer of Shake Shack.

Joshua Silverman

A director at Shake Shack who will be resigning effective May 1.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the vulnerability of the food service industry to fluctuations in energy prices, which can significantly impact operational costs and consumer spending. Shake Shack's stock decline and the insider transactions raise questions about the company's near-term outlook and the potential challenges it may face in navigating the current economic environment.