Five Guys is a burger business that keeps customers coming back time and time again. Known for their burgers, fries, and milkshakes – they serve a delicious meal and a promising business investment. So, is Five Guys a franchise? Yes, and here’s everything you need to know about the business opportunity.
The Five Guys Story
According to Five Guys themselves, “Five Guys has been a Washington, DC area favorite since 1986 when Jerry and Janie Murrell offered sage advice to the four young Murrell brothers:”Start a business or go to college.” The business route won and the Murrell family opened a carry-out burger joint in Arlington Virginia.
Under the guidance of Jerry and Janie the Murrell family served only hand-formed burgers cooked to perfection on a grill along with fresh-cut fries cooked in pure peanut oil.
During the 1980’s and 1990’s the Murrell family perfected their simple system. Five Guys was The Place to get a fresh, juicy burger with all the toppings you could stuff between fresh-baked buns. A fifth brother was born and, as their family grew, so did their business. Four more restaurants with sit-down seating were added to accommodate the growing clientele.
Early in 2003, Jerry and Janie, together with the “Five Guys,” began offering franchise opportunities. In just under 18 months, Five Guys Enterprises sold options for more than 300 units. The overwhelming success of franchising a local restaurant made national news, with articles in trade publications such as Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Business Magazine and the Franchise Times.
Now, 30 years after Five Guys first opened, there are almost 1,700 locations worldwide and another 1,500 units in development. Five Guys continues to receive generous media attention and has grown a cult-like following around the world.“
Five Guys Franchise Requirements
How Much is a Five Guys Franchise?
Five Guys Franchise Fee
Some Unique Selling Points
What makes Five Guys burgers special? Here are a few reasons, according to an article posted by an ABC affiliate in Chicago.
- There are no freezers at Five Guys, only coolers – which means burgers are cooked fresh daily
- You can order your burger your way — with up to 15 toppings added for free
- Fried in peanut oil, french fries are served crisp and in large quantities
- Famous people have proclaimed their love for Five Guys food—including former President Barack Obama
Know Your Options
Want to explore other franchise opportunities like Five Guys? We’ve got them.
As we’ve long established, Five Guys is a great burger stop and business opportunity. However, healthy fast food is emerging. Look at trends in big cities like Atlanta, NYC, and LA to see what’s going to be coming to the rest of the country in a few years.
We’ve seen a long-term trend of healthier food options. So Nautical Bowls might be where you want to look. Not only do they have that healthy component but also a proven team with over 4000 owners as a part of their franchise family.
Their CEO, Peter Taunton, has over 30 years of experience in the industry with 6,000 brand licenses in over 28 counties. He was also named Ernst and Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” and his companies have been featured in many business and industry publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur 500, Inc 5000, Top Global, and Franchise 500.
