Who We Are

Serving More Than Just
Great Food.

Here at the Food Shack & Island Time we like to say we’re a food-focused, people-first company. We cook clean, real, nourishing food and share our passion for life on the coast. But the food is only half the story.

Our Purpose

Serve real food to help kids that can't help themselves.

Three ways we show up.

Giving Back.

We commit 10% of company profits to support young people impacted by human trafficking worldwide and the organizations fighting to end it.

Sharing The Win.

It takes a village to run a busy restaurant business. Everyone at the Shack plays a role in the restaurant’s success and has the opportunity to earn more when we meet our goals!

Raising The Bar.

We’re dedicated to serving clean, real, nourishing food — redefining what fast-casual can be.

What we stand for

Our values.

1

Respectfully Candid

Criticism without insult.

2

Consistent

In who we are, what we do, and how we do it.

3

An Attitude to Serve

We approach every guest, teammate, and task with a positive attitude and genuine care.

4

Positive Influence

Elevate the people around you.

5

Pursue What’s Next

Always improving.

Our Story

We first opened our doors in 2010 as Flat Waves Restaurant serving a “Hawaiian style plate lunch” menu! With zero restaurant experience, a ton of energy, and the idea to share a new cuisine inspired by a family vacation with Aquidneck Island — we got to work.

Over the years we have run a food truck, a taco cart at second beach for 11 years, started a catering company, served schools throughout RI, and ran a location at URI for a year.

While we have changed our menu and transformed the restaurant in many ways over the years, including a name change to “the Food Shack” in 2022, the original ideas of “serving more than just great food” and “gourmet food on a paper plate” are alive and well even more so today!

Meet The Food Shack & Island Time Catering Co. — all built on the simple principle that casual doesn’t mean cutting corners. From clean, real ingredients to thoughtful execution and stress-free service, we set out to show that relaxed, fun, casual food can be done with top-shelf ingredients and genuine care.

Our People

Will Burgess

Owner

Favorite hobby: Surfing & travel
Favorite food: Whatever just came out of the smoker

Sabrina

Marketing Manager, Island Time Co-Founder & Director

Favorite hobby: Hiking & cooking
Favorite food: Breakfast tacos, smoothies, ice cream

Caitlin

Office Admin

Favorite hobby: Hiking
Favorite food: Sushi

Andrea

Commissary Production Manager

Favorite hobby: Sea glass hunting
Favorite food: Egg white breakfast sandwiches

Yana

Assistant Restaurant Manager

Favorite hobby: Photography and Hiking
Favorite food: Short rib Tacos

When You Order, You're Part of It

Great businesses. Greater purpose.

Every time you grab a bite or hire us to cater, you’re supporting the youth of our community and joining our mission to raise the tide for the next generation. With every purchase, we give back.

Serving More Than Just Great Food.