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 Alden, leadership involves high-energy multitasking in a fast-paced kitchen, blending people-first culture with hands-on operations. Unlike typical restaurant managers, you’ll cross-train in multiple roles, fostering teamwork alongside managing finances and shift coordination, making it a dynamic and engaging leadership position.
Strong communication, adaptability, and stamina top the list for fast-food General Managers. Inspiring teams while managing rapid service flow demands vocal collaboration and resilience. Emphasizing team-first leadership ensures smooth operations and customer satisfaction in a bustling setting like Five Guys.
General Managers at Five Guys often leverage their operational and leadership expertise to advance into regional management, multi-unit oversight, or corporate roles. The experience of balancing finances, team coaching, and customer engagement opens doors to broader hospitality and retail management opportunities.
While ServSafe certification is advantageous for food safety compliance, ongoing leadership development and cross-training at Five Guys significantly enhance managerial skills. Local health regulations in Alden might also require specific food handling certifications, so staying updated benefits operational excellence.
General Managers in Alden, NY, typically earn between $50,000 and $65,000 annually, depending on experience and restaurant performance. Five Guys complements base pay with quarterly bonuses tied to store success, effectively increasing total compensation for high-performing managers.
Alden’s hospitality sector shows moderate demand for General Managers, with strong competition at well-known brands like Five Guys due to their growth. Candidates with proven leadership and food service experience often stand out, while local networking and references can improve hiring chances.
Managing fluctuating crew rotations, maintaining fast-paced communication, and ensuring inventory control under pressure are common hurdles. Alden’s customer flow peaks require agile problem-solving and stamina to keep the kitchen efficient and guests satisfied during busy shifts.
Five Guys’ culture encourages a fun, collaborative atmosphere with music and team camaraderie, shaping managers to lead with energy and humility. This environment requires balancing operational duties with fostering a positive vibe that motivates employees and enhances customer experiences.
Five Guys equips General Managers with hands-on experience in financial oversight, team leadership, and shift coordination, all crucial for larger-scale operations. The exposure to fast-paced decision-making and cross-functional training builds a strong foundation for advancing into area or regional management roles.
Five Guys managers often juggle opening and closing shifts, with hours spanning 8 AM to 11 PM, requiring flexibility and endurance. This scheduling ensures coverage across busy periods and demands adaptability to lead diverse teams through varying operational phases daily.