Chipotle, Shake Shack Warn of Trouble Among Younger Consumers

Younger diners seem to be losing their appetite for fast-casual favorites like Chipotle and Shake Shack as they grapple with unemployment and slower wage growth.

Executives at both companies cited challenges with younger diners, who’ve been hit hard by a “low-hire, low-fire” labor market that has fresh college graduates struggling to find entry-level work. The demographic that previously helped power a fast-casual boom now appears to be cutting back on eating out.