NexlintoGeneral Manager
Company : Five Guys
Location : Crystal Lake, IL, 60014
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 5 February 2026
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
Crystal Lake's fast-casual scene is growing steadily, with several burger and quick-service chains expanding. General Manager roles here often attract candidates with strong leadership and customer service skills, making competition moderately high. Networking locally and showcasing multi-role flexibility can enhance your chances.
Managing a Five Guys in Crystal Lake involves balancing high customer expectations with a community-focused atmosphere. Local workforce availability and regional dining trends can influence staffing and marketing strategies, requiring adaptable leadership and a keen understanding of Midwestern customer preferences.
Successful General Managers demonstrate energetic motivation, quick decision-making, and seamless communication. Inspiring team members across rotating shifts and fostering a positive, collaborative environment are crucial, especially in dynamic kitchens where operational efficiency and morale directly impact guest satisfaction.
General Managers oversee full-store operations, including financial performance, staff leadership, and customer experience. In contrast, Assistant General Managers typically focus on supporting daily shift management and team coordination, making the General Manager role more strategic with broader accountability.
While not mandatory, ServSafe certification is highly regarded across Illinois eateries. It demonstrates food safety knowledge that complements leadership skills, giving candidates an edge in roles requiring compliance oversight and operational excellence in fast-paced dining establishments.
Five Guys promotes from within, offering career advancement through leadership development programs. General Managers who excel can move into area management or corporate roles, benefiting from the brand’s rapid expansion and focus on cultivating managerial talent in vibrant markets like Crystal Lake.
Five Guys emphasizes a people-first culture with cross-training and open kitchen dynamics, making the General Manager’s day interactive and hands-on. Unlike more segmented chains, managers here actively engage with crew members, blending leadership with camaraderie and a lively work environment.
General Managers at Five Guys in Crystal Lake typically earn between $50,000 and $65,000 annually, factoring in base salary plus quarterly bonuses. This reflects local market standards for fast-casual management roles combined with performance incentives.
Five Guys General Managers uniquely blend operational leadership with active floor engagement in an open-kitchen setting. The role demands stamina and adaptability in a culture that prizes music, team spirit, and real-time communication, setting it apart from more traditional, back-office-focused management positions.
Clear, ongoing verbal communication is essential at Five Guys to synchronize fast-paced kitchen and front-of-house activities. Effective communication builds trust, reduces errors, and energizes the team, ensuring smooth shifts and exceptional guest experiences in a high-volume environment.