Five Guys
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAmerican fast-food restaurant chain known for customizable burgers, fresh-cut fries, hot dogs, and milkshakes.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Five Guys is an American fast-food restaurant brand operated by Five Guys Enterprises, LLC. Founded in 1986 by Jerry and Janie Murrell in Arlington County, Virginia, the business began as a family-run hamburger restaurant serving the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The name refers initially to Jerry and Janie's five sons—Jim, Matt, Chad, Ben, and, after his birth, Tyler—who became associated with the family business and its operating culture. The original concept emphasized a relatively focused menu, made-to-order preparation, generous portions, and extensive customization. Its core offer consists of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, bacon burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese and other sandwiches, fresh-cut fries, and milkshakes. Burgers are available in regular and Little sizes, while customers can choose from a broad selection of toppings without an additional charge. Fries are prepared from fresh potatoes and are offered in standard Five Guys style or Cajun style. Many restaurants also provide complimentary in-shell peanuts for on-site consumption, accompanied by allergy warnings. Five Guys initially expanded through company-operated restaurants in Northern Virginia and nearby communities. By 2001, it had five locations in the Washington metropolitan area. The company began franchising in early 2003, using external franchise-development support and rapidly extending its presence through Virginia, Maryland, the Northeast, and eventually the wider United States. It reached more than 1,000 locations by 2012 and subsequently developed an international franchise network. The brand entered the United Kingdom in 2013 with a restaurant in London's Covent Garden. It later expanded into continental Europe, the Middle East, East Asia, and Australia. International openings included Germany in 2017, Australia in 2021, and South Korea in 2023. The company has also announced expansion plans for additional markets, including Denmark and New Zealand. Reference material describes a worldwide network exceeding 1,900 restaurants by 2026, although the exact count varies by date and source. Five Guys is positioned above value-oriented fast food, competing on perceived ingredient freshness, portion size, personalization, and a distinctive restaurant environment rather than on low prices or a broad menu. Its red-and-white tile interiors, open food-preparation areas, visible potato sacks, wooden tables, handwritten-style signage, and free toppings create a recognizable identity. Unlike many major burger chains, the brand historically had limited drive-through infrastructure, although a drive-through site opened in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, in 2020. The company remains privately held and associated with the Murrell family. Its public profile has been strengthened by favorable consumer surveys, recurring best-burger recognition, celebrity and political patronage, and a strong online following. At the same time, the brand has faced criticism over premium pricing. Price increases during the early 2020s contributed to consumer discussion that a burger, fries, and drink could cost around or above $20 in some United States locations. Five Guys therefore occupies a distinctive position between conventional fast food and more premium fast-casual burger concepts.
History
Five Guys began in 1986 when Jerry and Janie Murrell opened a hamburger restaurant in Arlington County, Virginia. Their sons Jim, Matt, Chad, and Ben were involved in the early business, and Tyler later joined the family enterprise. The original Five Guys restaurant operated in Arlington's Westmont Shopping Center, where buns were supplied by a bakery in the same center. That site was later replaced by restaurants in Alexandria and nearby communities. The family developed a focused operating model based on made-to-order burgers, fresh-cut potatoes, customization, and a limited number of core menu categories. By 2001, Five Guys had five restaurants in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Rather than immediately pursuing national company-owned growth, the Murrells used their local success as the basis for a franchise strategy. In early 2003, Five Guys began franchising with assistance from Fransmart, a franchise sales organization. Mark Moseley, a former professional football player who worked with Fransmart, played an important role in the expansion effort and later became the company's director of franchise development. More than 300 franchised units were reportedly in development within roughly a year and a half. Growth began in Virginia and Maryland, extended through the Northeast, and then spread across the United States and into Canada. The chain exceeded 1,000 locations by 2012. International expansion began in 2013 when Five Guys opened in London's Covent Garden. The company subsequently established restaurants in continental Europe, the Middle East, East Asia, and Oceania. Germany became an early continental European market in 2017. Australia received its first restaurant in 2021, while South Korea opened its first location in Seoul in 2023. The brand has also announced additional planned expansion, including Denmark. The company's physical identity developed around red-and-white tile, wooden tables, counter seating, visible food preparation, and bags of potatoes displayed in or near customer areas. The restaurant format traditionally did not emphasize drive-through service, but the first drive-through window opened in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, in 2020, partly reflecting changes in operating practices during the COVID-19 period. Five Guys operated a large headquarters in Lorton, Virginia, before relocating to Alexandria in 2023. The business remains privately held and family associated. The five Murrell sons continue to have defined roles involving store visits, training, franchisee selection, and bakery operations. The brand's reputation has been shaped by favorable rankings for food quality and burgers, strong customer loyalty, and public attention from high-profile patrons. Its later growth has also brought scrutiny of its premium pricing, especially after substantial menu-price increases in the early 2020s.
- 2023
South Korean market entry
[1]The chain opens its first South Korean restaurant in Seoul.
- 2023
Headquarters relocation
[1]Five Guys moves its headquarters from Lorton to Alexandria, Virginia.
- 2021
Australian market entry
[1]Five Guys opens its first Australian restaurant.
- 2020
First drive-through location
[1]A restaurant in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, becomes the first Five Guys site with a drive-through window.
- 2014
Milkshakes added to the standard menu
[1]The chain introduces customizable milkshakes with multiple optional mix-ins.
- 2013
United Kingdom launch
[1]Five Guys opens its first restaurant outside North America in London's Covent Garden.
- 2012
Network surpasses 1,000 locations
[1]The chain reaches more than 1,000 restaurants across the United States and Canada.
- 2003
Franchising begins
[1]Five Guys starts franchising, beginning its rapid national expansion.
- 2001
Five Washington-area locations operating
[1]The family business reaches five restaurants in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
- 1986
First Five Guys restaurant opens
[1]Jerry and Janie Murrell open the first Five Guys restaurant in Arlington County, Virginia.
Products and positioning
Premium-leaning fast food centered on fresh preparation, large portions, broad customization, and a family-owned brand identity.
Hamburgers · 1986
Burgers
The central Five Guys product line includes regular burgers with two patties and Little burgers with one patty. Customers can add toppings such as vegetables, sauces, grilled ingredients, cheese, and bacon without a separate topping charge. The made-to-order format and broad customization are key parts of the brand's proposition.
Hot dogs · 1986
Hot dogs
Five Guys serves kosher-style hot dogs made with all-beef franks. The category complements the burger menu and can be customized with many of the same toppings and condiments used across the restaurant's savory offerings.
Side dishes · 1986
Fresh-cut fries
Fresh-cut fries are the chain's principal side item. Potatoes are cut for preparation in the restaurant and are generally offered in regular Five Guys style or Cajun style. Employees are traditionally instructed to provide an extra scoop, reinforcing the brand's generous-portion image.
Sandwiches · 1986
Sandwiches
The sandwich range includes grilled cheese, BLT, and vegetable sandwiches. These products extend the menu beyond burgers while retaining the chain's made-to-order preparation and topping customization.
Beverages · 2014
Milkshakes
Introduced to the standard menu in 2014, Five Guys milkshakes are available in familiar base flavors and can be blended with optional mix-ins. Choices have included sweets, cookies, fruit, and bacon, supporting the brand's customization theme.
Brand decisions
2023
Relocate headquartersStrategyBackground
Five Guys had previously operated from a large headquarters facility in Lorton, Virginia.
Action taken
The company moved its headquarters to Alexandria, Virginia.
Aftermath
Alexandria became the reported headquarters location for the privately held brand.
2020
Add a drive-through locationStrategyBackground
The restaurant industry faced changing customer and safety expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Action taken
A franchise location in Surfside Beach retained a drive-through window from the building's previous business.
Aftermath
The site became the first Five Guys restaurant with drive-through service, although drive-throughs remained atypical for the brand.
2014
Launch milkshakesProduct launchBackground
The company sought to broaden its beverage and dessert offer while preserving its customization-oriented identity.
Action taken
Five Guys added milkshakes with optional mix-ins to its standard menu.
Aftermath
Milkshakes became a recurring part of the chain's menu and a further customization opportunity.
2013
Enter the United KingdomStrategyBackground
After establishing a substantial North American franchise network, Five Guys began international expansion.
Action taken
The company opened its first restaurant outside North America in London's Covent Garden.
Aftermath
The United Kingdom became one of the brand's largest markets outside the United States.
2003
Adopt a franchise-led expansion strategyStrategyBackground
After building a small cluster of restaurants in the Washington metropolitan area, the Murrell family sought a way to expand nationally without relying solely on company-operated locations.
Action taken
Five Guys began franchising and worked with Fransmart on franchise development.
Aftermath
The decision produced rapid growth across the United States, Canada, and later international markets.
Recent events
Reported
Five Guys opens its first Malaysia outlet[3]
Five Guys opened its first outlet in Malaysia at Sky Avenue, Resorts World Genting.
Reported
Hyde Park announces acquisition of Five Guys franchises in Colorado[4]
Hyde Park Ventures announced the acquisition of seven Five Guys franchises and a new development territory across northern Colorado. The acquisition makes its restaurant holding company, Hyde Park Burgers, the third-largest Five Guys franchisee in the United States.
Sources4 sources
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