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.
Recent Jobs
Top searches
Employment opportunities at Five Guys
Jobseekers are also searching for
Searches you may like
Trending searches in Barrington, IL
Popular Searches for General Manager
Frequently Asked Questions
At Five Guys in Barrington, IL, the General Manager thrives on fast-paced, high-energy shifts that demand constant adaptability. Managing rotating crews and fostering real-time communication are essential to maintaining the lively, collaborative atmosphere that defines the brand’s customer experience.
Exceptional General Managers exhibit strong motivational skills, stamina for physically active environments, and a team-first mindset. Leading with humility and clear communication in a noisy, fast-moving restaurant ensures seamless operations and energized staff.
While not mandatory, ServSafe certification is highly regarded in Illinois’s food service sector. Candidates with 1-2 years of leadership within customer-facing businesses, especially those with food service backgrounds, stand out in the competitive Barrington job market.
General Managers at Five Guys in Barrington typically earn between $50,000 and $65,000 annually, depending on experience and restaurant performance bonuses. This range aligns with local market trends for managerial roles in fast-casual dining within the Chicago metropolitan area.
Barrington’s restaurant management scene sees moderate competition due to the city's suburban growth and proximity to Chicago. Five Guys attracts candidates with a passion for leadership and fast-paced environments, making strong interpersonal skills a key differentiator.
General Managers at chains like Five Guys focus heavily on operational agility, crew cross-training, and creating vibrant team dynamics. This contrasts with broader general management jobs that might emphasize long-term strategic planning over hands-on shift leadership.
Five Guys expects General Managers to embody the brand’s energetic and people-first culture by encouraging open communication, fostering camaraderie, and maintaining high standards in customer service and food quality, all while leading by example.
Yes, Five Guys supports rapid career growth for General Managers through ongoing leadership training and bonus incentives tied to restaurant performance, making it an attractive stepping stone within a rapidly expanding national brand.
Managing split shifts demands stamina and flexibility; morning shifts focus on opening operations and inventory control, while evenings prioritize customer experience and team coordination. Switching between these requires adaptability to varying team dynamics and peak business hours.
Barrington’s suburban setting offers a slightly slower pace than NYC but demands equally strong leadership to maintain high service standards. The community-focused environment emphasizes team cohesion, while NYC roles may face higher competition and faster operational tempos.