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
Buffalo's vibrant food scene and community-centric culture shape a unique management experience at Five Guys. Managers here often adapt to local customer preferences and seasonal foot traffic, balancing fast-paced service with personalized team leadership to meet the city's dynamic demands.
In Buffalo, Five Guys values general managers who demonstrate high energy and adaptability, essential for thriving in this bustling market. Strong communication and a collaborative spirit help managers guide diverse teams effectively amidst the city’s fast-paced restaurant environment.
Most general manager positions in Buffalo’s restaurant sector seek candidates with at least 1-2 years of leadership experience, preferably within food service. Demonstrated ability to manage staff, control costs, and maintain customer satisfaction are highly regarded qualifications.
A general manager at Five Guys Buffalo oversees staff scheduling, financial controls including inventory and costs, and ensures a smooth customer experience. They also lead team communication throughout shifts, balancing operational efficiency from opening to closing hours.
Five Guys fosters rapid career advancement by emphasizing leadership development and cross-training across roles. Managers gain broad operational insights and direct coaching, setting a solid pathway for upward mobility within a popular and expanding burger franchise.
In Buffalo, general managers at Five Guys typically earn between $50,000 and $65,000 annually, with additional quarterly bonuses linked to restaurant performance. This competitive pay reflects both the role’s leadership demands and local market standards.
Five Guys’ people-first culture encourages general managers in Buffalo to lead with humility and foster a team-first mindset. This environment promotes collaboration, high energy, and a fun workplace vibe, which helps retain motivated crew members and improves service quality.
While a high school diploma is required, some college education or continuing professional development is advantageous. ServSafe certification is a plus, reflecting the brand’s commitment to food safety and operational excellence in Buffalo’s competitive restaurant market.
Five Guys general managers uniquely balance hands-on kitchen involvement with leadership duties, due to cross-training in all restaurant roles. This creates a fast-paced, loud, and interactive setting where managers actively engage with both staff and guests, unlike traditional management roles.
Managing shifts that span mornings to evenings, Buffalo’s Five Guys GMs must handle fluctuating customer volumes and rotating crews. Seasonal events or weather can impact foot traffic, requiring flexible scheduling and real-time problem-solving to maintain smooth operations.