Tacker’s Shake Shack began its story in 1977 when John and Loretta Tacker, a couple with no prior food service experience, purchased a Tastee Freeze location in Marion, Arkansas, just a few hundred yards from Interstate 55. John, affectionately known as "Big John" due to his larger-than-life presence, and Loretta, a former kindergarten teacher, opened the restaurant in October of that year—the same year Elvis Presley passed away, a fact reflected in the eatery’s decor with Elvis memorabilia adorning the walls. Initially operating as Tacker's Shake Shack, the business soon evolved as John’s personality and community presence demanded a unique identity. It transitioned into Big John’s - as the community called it.  However, it was always the Shake Shack, a name possibly inspired by John’s sister Sherry, who ran a Shake Shack in Tyronza off Hwy 63.  

Located at 409 Military Road, the restaurant quickly became a cornerstone of Marion, a small town just north of West Memphis and en route to Memphis, Tennessee. The Tackers built a reputation for hearty, affordable food and a warm, nostalgic atmosphere, with John Wayne and Elvis memorabilia complementing a display case of fresh, spinning pies—a nod to Loretta’s pie-making skills, honed by watching her grandmother. The menu grew expansive over the years, boasting six pages of offerings by 2019, including breakfast (served from 6:30 a.m.), burgers like the Legendary Big John, a meat-and-two line, and an impressive dessert lineup featuring pies, fried Oreos, and their famous milkshakes.

John Tacker passed away in 2005, but Loretta, affectionately called “Memaw” by family and loyal customers, kept the legacy alive alongside her children and grandchildren, turning it into a three-generation family operation. The restaurant’s significance deepened as it attracted notable visitors like actor Gene Hackman and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, though it prized its local regulars, including kids from nearby schools.

In 2019, after outgrowing its original building, the Tacker family constructed a new structure on the same lot, a milestone year that also saw Loretta honored as Proprietor of the Year by the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame. Just nine months later, the 2020 pandemic hit, forcing the dining room to close. Undeterred, the Tackers adapted by leaning on family recipes, offering curbside pickup, and using social media to connect with their community. Sales soared beyond pre-pandemic levels, a testament to their resilience and customer loyalty.

By October 2022, Tacker’s Shake Shack celebrated 45 years in business. Its reputation for standout desserts—like the Tang pie from John’s mother’s recipe or the acclaimed bread pudding with butter rum sauce—continued to draw travelers and locals alike. In early 2022, the family expanded, opening a second location in Harding University’s Student Center in Searcy, Arkansas, replacing Tu Taco and featuring Yarnell’s ice cream. In May 2022 Tacker's Shake Shack opened at the water park in Manila but moved the it's present location on Hwy18 in 2023.  In 2024 Tacker's Shake Shack opened in Wynne, AR in the place of Pop's Grill.  

Today, Tacker’s remains a beloved stop, known for its massive menu, retro vibe, and commitment to serving “good food to great people,” as they’ve done for nearly half a century in Marion.

Out of the past and into the future - Tacker's was born in 2025 and is launching the pilot restaurant in Searcy, AR.  Staying true to her roots Tacker's boast the same delicious menu - memaw's desserts and Chef Mark's (the grandson) amazing creations.