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
Chesapeake's hospitality scene emphasizes quick service and energetic leadership due to its competitive restaurant market. A General Manager here must excel in fast-paced team coordination and local customer preferences, setting it apart from other regions with different dining trends and operational tempos.
Managing a fast-casual chain demands juggling high-volume service with maintaining team morale. Leaders at Five Guys must adapt quickly to shifting staff roles, encourage open communication, and sustain energy during peak hours to ensure smooth operations and a lively customer experience.
Key skills include dynamic people leadership, efficient shift oversight, and financial acumen for cost control. Emphasizing adaptability and real-time communication helps maintain team flow, which is critical in fast-food environments where customer satisfaction hinges on speed and quality.
Advancement can lead to regional management or corporate leadership roles. Gaining expertise in operations, staff development, and financial management opens doors to overseeing multiple locations or transitioning into broader hospitality management positions.
Yes, Five Guys invests in ongoing leadership development tailored to its energetic culture. Managers receive structured training focusing on team motivation, operational excellence, and customer experience, ensuring they grow in sync with the brand’s high standards.
The Chesapeake market sees steady demand for experienced managers due to the area's vibrant food scene. Candidates with restaurant leadership backgrounds and certifications like ServSafe often have an edge, reflecting a moderately competitive environment for these positions.
While a high school diploma is standard, ServSafe certification enhances a candidate’s appeal. Proven leadership experience in food service and strong references are highly valued given the brand’s emphasis on team-driven, customer-focused operations.
Five Guys offers competitive base pay complemented by quarterly bonuses tied to restaurant performance. This incentive structure, combined with career growth potential, often results in higher overall earnings than many other local hospitality roles.
Managers embody the brand’s people-first ethos by fostering teamwork, encouraging upbeat communication, and maintaining a high-energy environment. This culture shapes daily tasks, where motivating staff and delivering exceptional guest experiences are top priorities.
Five Guys’ unique blend of fast-paced operations, open kitchen exposure, and music-infused atmosphere requires managers who thrive on active leadership and adaptability. Unlike some general management positions, this role demands hands-on involvement across all restaurant functions.