Five Guys has grown from a local Virginia favorite into a global burger institution, renowned for its fresh ingredients and customizable menu. But beyond the burgers and fries lies a world of career opportunities. Whether you're seeking an entry-level position or a rewarding management career, Five Guys offers a structured path for growth. So, what can you expect to earn? While hourly wages often start above the federal minimum, management roles can command salaries well over $65,000, making it a surprisingly competitive player in the fast-casual industry.
This guide will break down the salary expectations for various roles at Five Guys, the key factors that influence your pay, and the overall job outlook for this sector.
Roles and Responsibilities: What to Expect Working at Five Guys
Understanding your potential duties is the first step in evaluating a career path. At Five Guys, roles are clearly defined, focusing on efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.
- Crew Member: This is the heart of the Five Guys operation. Crew Members are the face of the brand, responsible for taking orders, handling cash, and providing top-tier customer service. They also work on the line, preparing the famous hand-cut fries, grilling burgers to perfection, and assembling orders. A focus on cleanliness, speed, and teamwork is essential.
- Shift Leader: A step up from a Crew Member, the Shift Leader takes on additional responsibilities. They help manage the crew during a specific shift, ensure food quality standards are met, handle customer escalations, and assist with opening or closing procedures. This role is a crucial training ground for future managers.
- Assistant Manager & General Manager: Managers are the leaders of the restaurant. They are responsible for the entire operation, from hiring, training, and scheduling staff to managing inventory and ordering supplies. General Managers have full profit and loss (P&L) responsibility, driving store profitability, implementing marketing initiatives, and ensuring the restaurant meets all of Five Guys' corporate standards for safety and quality.
How Much Do Five Guys Employees Earn? A Salary Overview
Salaries at Five Guys are competitive within the fast-casual dining industry and vary significantly based on the role. It's important to distinguish between hourly wages for crew members and annual salaries for management.
- Crew Member: According to data from Payscale, the average hourly wage for a Five Guys Crew Member is approximately $13.50 per hour, with a typical range falling between $11.00 and $16.00 per hour. This can fluctuate significantly based on local minimum wage laws and the cost of living.
- Shift Leader: Those with more responsibility can expect a higher hourly rate. Data from Glassdoor suggests Shift Leaders earn an average of $15 to $18 per hour.
- General Manager: This is a salaried position with significant earning potential. According to Salary.com, the average salary for a Five Guys General Manager in the United States is $61,644 per year, with a common range between $55,000 and $72,000. Top-performing managers in high-cost-of-living areas can earn even more, especially when factoring in potential bonuses.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your final compensation is not a single number but a result of several influencing factors. Understanding these can help you maximize your earning potential.
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Area of Specialization (Job Role)
As outlined above, the single biggest factor determining your pay is your role within the restaurant. The transition from an hourly Crew Member to a salaried General Manager represents the most significant pay increase, reflecting the jump in responsibility, skill requirements, and accountability for the store's overall performance.
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Geographic Location
Where you work matters immensely. A General Manager in a major metropolitan area like New York City or Los Angeles will earn a substantially higher salary than a manager in a smaller, rural town. This is due to a higher cost of living and more competitive local job markets. For hourly employees, the state's minimum wage is a legal floor for your pay. For example, states like California and Washington have higher minimum wages than states like Texas or Georgia, which directly impacts starting pay for Crew Members.
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Years of Experience
Experience is highly valued at all levels.
- For Crew Members: An experienced food service worker may be able to negotiate a starting wage at the higher end of the typical range.
- For Managers: A proven track record is paramount. A candidate for a General Manager position with 10+ years of experience and a history of increasing store profits is in a strong position to command a salary at the top end of the scale and negotiate a more lucrative bonus structure.
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Company Type (Franchise vs. Corporate)
Five Guys operates both corporate-owned restaurants and locations owned by independent franchisees. This can impact compensation and benefits. Corporate stores may have more standardized pay bands and benefits packages across all locations. Franchisees, on the other hand, have more autonomy. While they must adhere to all labor laws, their pay scales and benefits (like health insurance or 401(k) plans) can vary from one franchise group to another, sometimes being more or less generous than their corporate counterparts.
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Level of Education
For hourly roles like Crew Member or Shift Leader, a high school diploma or equivalent is generally sufficient. Work ethic, reliability, and on-the-job performance are valued more than formal education. However, for management positions, education can play a role. While not always required, an associate's or bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field can make a candidate more competitive for Assistant and General Manager roles, potentially leading to a higher starting salary.
Job Outlook
The career outlook for roles within the food service industry, including those at Five Guys, remains stable. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
For those on the management track, the BLS projects that employment for Food Service Managers will also grow 10 percent over the same period. The median annual wage for this broad category was $63,970 in May 2023, which aligns closely with the salary data seen for Five Guys General Managers. This indicates a healthy and continuing demand for skilled restaurant leadership.
Conclusion
Working at Five Guys offers a viable and rewarding career path with clear opportunities for advancement.
Key Takeaways:
- Diverse Roles: You can start as a Crew Member and build a long-term career toward a well-compensated General Manager position.
- Competitive Pay: Hourly wages are competitive for the industry, and management salaries, often exceeding $60,000 with bonuses, provide a solid income.
- Key Influencers: Your earnings are directly tied to your role, location, experience level, and the store's ownership structure (franchise vs. corporate).
- Stable Future: The demand for both food service workers and skilled managers is projected to grow steadily, ensuring job security for dedicated and high-performing individuals.
Whether you are looking for your first job or a leadership role in a globally recognized brand, Five Guys presents a structured environment where hard work and dedication can lead to significant financial and professional rewards.