Five Guys has grown from a single family-owned burger joint into a global fast-casual icon, known for its fresh ingredients and customizable menu. For those seeking employment in the vibrant food service industry, a job at Five Guys can offer a rewarding starting point and a clear path for career advancement. But what can you expect to earn?
This guide breaks down the salary landscape at Five Guys, from entry-level crew members to seasoned general managers. While hourly wages for crew members typically range from $12 to $18 per hour, experienced managers can earn an annual salary exceeding $60,000, showcasing the significant growth potential within the company.
What Do Five Guys Employees Do?
While many start with the title of "Crew Member," Five Guys operates on a tiered structure with distinct responsibilities at each level. Understanding these roles is key to understanding the salary potential.
- Crew Member: This is the heart of the restaurant. Responsibilities include taking customer orders, operating the cash register, preparing food (grilling burgers, cutting fries, assembling sandwiches), maintaining a clean environment, and ensuring a positive customer experience.
- Shift Leader: A Shift Leader takes on more responsibility, overseeing a team of crew members during their shift. Their duties often include managing cash drawers, handling minor customer issues, ensuring food quality and safety protocols are followed, and assisting with opening or closing the store.
- Assistant General Manager (AGM): The AGM works directly under the General Manager to run the entire restaurant. This role involves more significant operational tasks, such as employee scheduling, inventory management, training new hires, and helping to drive sales and profitability.
- General Manager (GM): The GM has ultimate responsibility for their store's success. They manage all aspects of the business, including hiring and firing, profit and loss (P&L) statements, local marketing, and ensuring the restaurant meets all of Five Guys' corporate standards for quality and service.
Average Five Guys Salary
Salaries at Five Guys are dependent on the specific role. Compensation is typically structured as an hourly wage for crew members and shift leaders, while management positions are often salaried.
Based on data from reputable salary aggregators, here are the typical national averages for key positions at Five Guys:
- Crew Member: The average hourly wage for a Five Guys Crew Member is approximately $14.25 per hour, with a common range of $12.00 to $17.50 per hour depending on location and experience. (Source: Payscale, 2024)
- Shift Leader: Employees who advance to a Shift Leader position see a bump in pay, averaging around $17.00 per hour. The pay band typically falls between $15.00 and $20.00 per hour. (Source: Glassdoor, 2024)
- Assistant General Manager: This first level of management typically earns an average annual salary of $46,500. The range can vary significantly, often from $38,000 to $55,000 per year. (Source: Salary.com, 2024)
- General Manager: The top position in a restaurant, a General Manager at Five Guys, earns an average salary of $59,800 per year. Experienced and high-performing GMs in high-cost-of-living areas can see salaries exceed $70,000. (Source: Glassdoor, 2024)
*Disclaimer: These figures represent national averages and can vary based on the factors discussed below.*
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your exact pay at Five Guys will be influenced by several key factors. Understanding these can help you maximize your earning potential.
### Geographic Location
This is arguably the most significant factor impacting hourly wages. A crew member working in a major metropolitan area with a high cost of living and a high minimum wage (e.g., San Francisco, CA or New York, NY) will earn a considerably higher hourly wage than a crew member in a small town with a lower cost of living (e.g., Jackson, MS). Always research the prevailing wages for food service jobs in your specific city and state.
### Job Title and Role
As outlined in the salary data above, the most direct way to increase your earnings at Five Guys is by moving up the career ladder. The progression from Crew Member to Shift Leader and into management comes with substantial pay increases, reflecting the added responsibility and skills required for each role.
### Years of Experience
Experience directly correlates with earning potential. A new hire with no prior food service experience will likely start at the lower end of the pay scale for their role. In contrast, an employee with several years of experience, a proven track record of reliability, and strong customer service skills is in a better position to command a higher hourly wage or be promoted more quickly.
### Company Type (Franchise vs. Corporate)
Five Guys operates both corporate-owned restaurants and independently owned franchises. This can impact pay and benefits. Corporate stores may have more standardized pay scales and benefit packages set by the parent company. Franchisees, as independent business owners, set their own wage structures. Depending on the franchisee, this could result in higher or lower pay than the corporate standard, so it's a worthwhile question to ask during an interview.
### Level of Education
For entry-level Crew Member and Shift Leader positions, a high school diploma or equivalent is typically sufficient. However, for those aspiring to Assistant General Manager or General Manager roles, some college education can be a significant advantage. A degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field can make a candidate more competitive and may lead to a higher starting salary in a management position.
Job Outlook
The career outlook for roles within the food service industry remains strong. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers is projected to grow 10% 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 grow 11% over the same period. This indicates a stable and growing demand for skilled leaders in the restaurant sector, making a career path at a company like Five Guys a promising long-term option.
Conclusion
Working at Five Guys offers more than just a paycheck; it provides a clear and attainable career path within the robust fast-casual industry.
Key Takeaways:
- Clear Progression: There is a defined ladder to climb, from an entry-level Crew Member earning a competitive hourly wage to a General Manager with a substantial annual salary.
- Location Matters: Your geographic location is one of the biggest determinants of your hourly wage.
- Experience Pays: Gaining experience and taking on leadership responsibilities as a Shift Leader or Manager is the most effective way to increase your earnings.
- Strong Outlook: The food service industry shows healthy growth projections, ensuring long-term stability and opportunities for advancement.
For anyone looking for a dynamic work environment with the potential for real professional growth, a career at Five Guys presents a valuable and financially rewarding opportunity.