NYC’s Shake Shack is coming to the Carolinas - is Columbia next?

New York City’s popular Shake Shack restaurant will open its first location in the Carolinas soon in Charlotte’s Park Road Shopping Center. But what about South Carolina?

Prior to this location, the only Shake Shacks in the south were located in Atlanta, Ga., Lexington, KY and Florida. But the company is giving no indication whether or not its entrance into North Carolina could mean it might also expand into South Carolina.

“No plans to share for South Carolina just yet,” said Kristyn Clark, senior manager of brand communications for Shake Shack.

Shake Shack began as a food cart inside Madison Square Park in 2004 and developed a cult-like following of its burgers and shakes.

The Charlotte location is at 4101 Park Rd. An exact opening date has not been announced but the restaurant was initially expected to open in late 2017.