General Manager
Company: Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Company Overview:
Five Guys Burgers and Fries is one of America's most successful and beloved hamburger concepts — ranked the #1 burger in the U.S. by Zagat. While our food gets the headlines, it's our people-first culture that makes the real difference. At Five Guys, both crew members and managers are cross-trained to work every position in the restaurant, creating a high-energy, collaborative, and fun work environment.
With an open kitchen layout, we bring the guest experience right into the action — it's loud, fast, and filled with team communication.
What It Takes to Be a Five Guys General Manager:
- People & Leadership Skills: Can you inspire and motivate others? This is the #1 trait we seek. Great leadership creates great teams.
- High Energy & Stamina: Our kitchens are fast-paced and physically active environments. Being on your feet and staying energized is a must.
- Adaptability: You'll manage a rotating crew and shift roles constantly throughout the day.
- Communication: Real-time, vocal collaboration is essential — we rely on strong team communication to keep things moving.
- Love of Food & Music: We make amazing burgers to the sounds of classic rock. A good vibe is part of our culture — and yes, singing along is encouraged!
- Team Mindset: Our best managers always put the team first and lead with humility.
Responsibilities:
- Oversee financial performance, including inventory control and cost management.
- Lead crew assignments, coaching, and performance during all shifts.
- Foster outstanding customer experiences through proactive service and problem-solving.
- Own the full shift operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly from open to close.
- Work a combination of both opening and closing shifts:
- Morning: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Afternoon/Evening: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Qualifications:
- Minimum 18 years of age
- High school diploma required; some college or continuing education is a plus
- 1–2 years of leadership experience, ideally in a restaurant or customer-facing business
- Previous experience in food service strongly preferred
- ServeSafe Certification is a plus
- Strong, reliable professional references — from both supervisors and former direct reports
Perks & Benefits:
- Competitive base pay
- Quarterly bonus program based on restaurant performance
- Career advancement opportunities with a rapidly growing brand
- Dynamic and supportive team culture
- Ongoing training and leadership development
Ready to Lead the Team?
At Five Guys, you'll find a role where passion, leadership, and hustle come together in a fast-paced, rewarding environment. Bring your energy, grow with us, and help us deliver legendary burgers — every single day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Overseeing a Five Guys restaurant in West Columbia involves leading a fast-paced, highly interactive kitchen environment with a strong emphasis on team communication and energy. The role demands adaptability to rotating crew shifts and maintaining high service standards amidst a lively, music-filled atmosphere unique to Five Guys culture.
Five Guys values leaders who inspire and motivate with humility, prioritize team cohesion, and communicate effectively in real time. High stamina and a positive vibe, fueled by a love for food and music, are essential for navigating the dynamic pace of their West Columbia kitchens.
General managers at Five Guys can tap into rapid growth paths, moving from shift leadership to regional management roles. The company supports ongoing leadership development, making it a solid choice for those seeking upward mobility in the restaurant industry nationwide.
West Columbia shows competitive hiring trends for restaurant leadership roles, especially for brands like Five Guys that prioritize strong local management. Employers there often seek candidates with proven leadership and customer service experience to meet regional growth.
While food service certifications such as ServSafe are widely valued in South Carolina, particularly around West Columbia, employers like Five Guys consider leadership experience and interpersonal skills equally crucial for general manager candidates.
Five Guys general managers balance hands-on shift leadership with financial oversight, thriving in an energetic environment that blends food passion with classic rock vibes. Their role requires versatility, from coaching teams to managing inventory, setting them apart from more static hospitality roles.
Five Guys offers continuous training and a supportive team culture to equip general managers with tools to manage fast-paced operations, crew dynamics, and customer satisfaction effectively, fostering resilience and leadership growth in a demanding restaurant setting.
General managers at Five Guys in West Columbia typically earn between $50,000 and $65,000 annually, complemented by quarterly bonuses tied to restaurant performance. This reflects the competitive pay scales for restaurant leadership roles within the South Carolina market.
Five Guys general managers embody the brand’s people-first ethos by fostering a positive, team-oriented atmosphere with open communication and high energy. Leaders are encouraged to contribute to the lively vibe, including engaging in music and collaborative problem-solving.
Five Guys general managers operate within a unique fast-food concept that emphasizes cross-training, high-energy teamwork, and an open kitchen layout. This hands-on, adaptable leadership setting contrasts with more traditional, hierarchical general management roles across the country.