The original M Shack restaurant in the Beaches Town Center will close Oct. 2 after 10 years in business.
Owner Matthew Medure said Oct. 1 it was “purely staffing issues” that caused the closure.
“We’ve had two employees there and we’ve been filling in all the shifts with high-level leaders from throughout the company,” Medure said.
“It’s at the point where if you can’t find the right people to produce the values that support your business, which are quality and hospitality and professionalism, then you can’t carry on,” he said.
“It’s kind of a sad thing. You never think you’re going to dissolve a business for that reason, but it’s strange times.”
Brothers Matthew and David Medure operate two other M Shack locations in the St. Johns Town Center at 10281 Midtown Parkway and in Nocatee at 641 Crosswater Parkway. Those will remain open.
Staffing has been less of an issue at those two restaurants, he said. Both have been performing well.
M Shack focuses on hamburgers and shakes.
Before deciding to close permanently, Medure said he was closing the Atlantic Beach location on Tuesdays to give employees a break.
“We haven’t gone down that road at all for Nocatee or Town Center,” he said.
“The business is good, the staffing is decent and the management and leadership are good. I don’t foresee any issues there.”
Medure said he is preparing to open a restaurant at Mayo Clinic, which will require his group to hire about 125 people.
“With that coming down the line, it just makes perfect sense to reel in and get ready to open,” he said.
Parking has also been an issue for the restaurant at 299 Atlantic Blvd., especially around dinnertime, he said.
“It’s not a destination kind of restaurant, the parking has been a little difficult out there,” he said.
Medure said he does not plan to replace the Atlantic Beach M Shack with another concept, but would consider opening a free-standing M Shack location with a drive-thru in the future.
The Medures operated an M Shack near Five Points, which closed in December 2019. They decided to make a deal with a franchisee for Another Broken Egg Cafe and turn over the lease.
