Shake Shack Says 50-Cent Airport Kiosk Price Jump Was Error, Not No-Tip Surcharge
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Aug 10
Shake Shack Says 50-Cent Airport Kiosk Price Jump Was Error, Not No-Tip Surcharge
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Aug 10
Summary
Shake Shack said a 50-cent per-item price increase shown after a customer selected no tip at a Salt Lake City airport kiosk was a technology error and has been fixed.
The dispute erupted after a TikTok video showed three Classic Shakes priced at $18.46 before checkout, then rising to $19.96 after a “pricing update” appeared when no tip was chosen.
The chain said neither it nor its licensees has a policy of raising menu prices for customers who decline to tip, and identified airport operator HMSHost as the location’s operator.
HMSHost’s review found the higher amount reflected the correct posted price, turning a viral tipping-culture flashpoint into a kiosk pricing-system issue.