In a significant development, Shake Shack has announced a change in its leadership. Rob Lynch, the current President and CEO of Papa John’s, is set to become the new CEO of Shake Shack. This marks the first time in Shake Shack’s 20-year history that an outsider will lead the company.

Lynch will join Shake Shack’s board and officially take over as CEO on May 20. He succeeds Randy Garutti, who started what would become Shake Shack from a hot dog cart in New York’s Madison Square Park in 2001. Garutti was the director of operations for restaurateur Danny Meyer, the founder of Union Square Hospitality Group and the chairman and founder of Shake Shack.

Shake Shack, founded in 2004, held an IPO in 2015. Garutti will remain with the company through the end of this year to ensure a smooth transition. Danny Meyer expressed confidence in Lynch’s ability to lead Shake Shack as it embarks on a period of global growth.

Shake Shack ended last year with 518 stores worldwide, including 184 outside the U.S. The company plans to open 80 more stores this year. Papa John’s, under Lynch’s leadership, has 5,900 stores worldwide, including 2,473 outside the U.S.

Before joining Papa John’s in 2019, Lynch was president of Arby’s, where he also served as chief marketing officer. He has also held senior roles at Taco Bell, Heinz Co., and Procter & Gamble.

This leadership change at Shake Shack signifies a new era for the company. As the world watches, the impact of this transition is eagerly anticipated.