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
At Five Guys Berkeley, a General Manager thrives by blending energetic team motivation with sharp oversight of daily operations. This means inspiring crew members while managing inventory, costs, and shift rotations to maintain the fast-paced, quality-driven environment that defines the brand locally.
Absolutely. Success in this position demands flexibility and quick adjustment to rotating crews. The Berkeley location's dynamic atmosphere requires managers to seamlessly shift between coaching roles and operational tasks, ensuring consistent service despite staffing changes.
Strong communication, team-first mindset, and stamina top the list. Leading a restaurant team means fostering collaboration and maintaining energy through long shifts, all while delivering excellent customer experiences and handling real-time problem-solving on the floor.
Five Guys’ open kitchen and high-volume service require General Managers to pivot between roles constantly, from coaching staff to optimizing shift flow. Adaptability ensures managers respond effectively to fluctuating customer patterns and team needs without losing operational control.
Berkeley's restaurant sector shows steady demand for skilled General Managers, with competition focusing on leadership experience and local customer service knowledge. Candidates excelling in team motivation and cost management usually stand out in this market.
While ServSafe certification is highly regarded, Illinois particularly favors candidates with demonstrated food safety knowledge and leadership in regulated environments. Local health department familiarity can also enhance a manager's credibility during hiring.
Five Guys emphasizes a people-first culture with cross-training across roles, creating a team-centric vibe not always seen elsewhere. Berkeley’s location combines this with a high-energy work environment where managers actively engage in both leadership and hands-on kitchen operations.
Five Guys offers rapid advancement through leadership development programs and quarterly performance bonuses based on store success. Managers can leverage these perks to climb into regional management roles within a growing brand known for valuing internal talent.
Five Guys fosters open communication and a collaborative culture, encouraging managers to lead with humility and energy. This support system helps balance the demands of fast-paced shifts with employee engagement and customer satisfaction.
General Managers at Five Guys in Berkeley typically earn between $50,000 and $65,000 annually, depending on experience and restaurant performance. Additional earnings from quarterly bonuses based on store success can significantly enhance total compensation.