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
Strong leadership is key to energizing teams and maintaining smooth operations in a fast-paced environment like Five Guys. Effective managers inspire collaboration, manage shift dynamics, and boost morale, which directly influences customer satisfaction and overall restaurant performance.
Managing fluctuating crew assignments and ensuring seamless communication during shift changes can be demanding. Adapting quickly to varying team dynamics while maintaining service quality is essential for operational continuity and delivering the brand's high-energy atmosphere.
Exceptional communication, stamina to handle physically active settings, and a genuine passion for food culture are crucial. Additionally, the ability to lead with humility and foster a team-first mindset distinguishes top-performing general managers.
While not mandatory, ServSafe certification is highly regarded in Santa Rosa’s food industry, enhancing a manager’s credibility in food safety and compliance, which aligns well with local health regulations and customer expectations.
Santa Rosa’s hospitality sector experiences steady demand for experienced managers, but competition remains keen due to the area's vibrant dining culture. Candidates with hands-on leadership and operational expertise often gain an edge.
Five Guys emphasizes a people-first culture with cross-trained teams, an open kitchen that encourages team interaction, and a lively atmosphere energized by music. General Managers here juggle operational oversight alongside fostering a fun, collaborative environment.
The company offers ongoing leadership development, quarterly performance bonuses, and opportunities to advance within its expanding network. This supportive culture helps managers refine skills and climb the career ladder in a dynamic setting.
General Managers in Santa Rosa typically earn between $55,000 and $75,000 annually, influenced by experience and restaurant performance. Five Guys complements base pay with quarterly bonuses, enhancing overall compensation.
Five Guys demands high physical stamina and rapid, vocal team communication in a fast-food environment, unlike more sedentary or clinical managerial roles. The focus is on hands-on operational leadership combined with cultivating a spirited team culture.
They handle everything from crew scheduling and coaching to inventory control and customer service resolution, ensuring smooth service flow from opening to closing while maintaining the brand’s energetic vibe.