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
Clarence, NY, shows a moderate hiring pace for General Managers in quick-service restaurants like Five Guys. This balance means candidates with proven leadership and restaurant experience typically face steady competition but also opportunities to secure roles in well-established brands.
While ServSafe certification isn't mandatory in Clarence's food service management, it greatly boosts credibility and compliance knowledge. Local employers, including Five Guys, often favor candidates with this certification to ensure safety standards and operational excellence.
Effective General Managers demonstrate adaptability, energetic team motivation, and real-time communication skills. These traits help maintain smooth operations amid shifting crews and fast-paced environments, ensuring customer satisfaction and strong team cohesion nationwide.
Candidates who excel in financial oversight, crew coaching, and fostering positive workplace culture often climb the ranks faster. Emphasizing strong interpersonal communication combined with operational savvy opens doors to regional or corporate leadership positions.
General Managers focus heavily on daily shift leadership, customer engagement, and team dynamics, whereas Operations Managers typically oversee broader business strategies, multiple sites, and long-term process improvements within the restaurant network.
Five Guys emphasizes a people-first culture that cross-trains managers across roles, fostering versatility and team spirit. This environment supports energetic leaders in developing hands-on skills and advancing through a rapidly expanding brand with strong career pathways.
At Five Guys, General Managers thrive in a lively kitchen with open communication and classic rock ambiance, creating a unique blend of fast-paced teamwork and culture. This contrasts with more traditional local eateries, offering a distinct, energized workspace.
General Managers at Five Guys in Clarence typically earn between $50,000 and $65,000 annually, factoring in base pay plus quarterly performance bonuses. This aligns with regional restaurant management salaries, rewarding leadership and operational excellence.
Many believe General Managers only supervise staff, but the role extends to financial management, inventory control, customer satisfaction, and dynamic problem-solving—requiring stamina and constant adaptability in fast-moving environments.
Five Guys schedules General Managers for both morning and evening shifts, demanding flexibility and stamina. The team-oriented culture encourages vocal collaboration and role rotation, fostering a uniquely engaging and high-energy workplace atmosphere.