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
Successful General Managers at Five Guys demonstrate high energy, adaptability, and outstanding communication skills. Inspiring teams and fostering a collaborative environment are vital, as is managing fast-paced kitchen operations with a people-first mindset that matches Five Guys’ unique culture.
General management in fast food demands rapid decision-making, stamina for physical activity, and real-time team coordination. Unlike retail or healthcare, it involves managing dynamic kitchen environments and delivering exceptional guest experiences amid high volume and pace.
The role blends managing financial aspects like inventory control and cost efficiency with hands-on leadership, including coaching crews and ensuring smooth shift operations. Balancing numbers with nurturing team performance is key to sustaining restaurant success.
While Assistant General Managers support daily operations and team supervision, General Managers carry full shift ownership, including financial accountability, strategic leadership, and higher-level decision-making to drive overall restaurant performance.
Possessing ServSafe certification and at least 1-2 years of leadership experience in food service significantly improves hiring chances. Local employers in Grayslake value demonstrated ability to manage fast-paced teams and maintain food safety standards.
Grayslake shows moderate competition for General Manager roles, with demand rising as fast-casual dining expands. Candidates with strong leadership credentials and local experience tend to stand out amid growing hiring activity.
General Managers in Grayslake typically earn between $50,000 and $65,000 annually, influenced by restaurant performance bonuses and experience. Five Guys offers competitive base pay plus quarterly incentives reflecting operational success.
Five Guys emphasizes a vibrant, music-filled atmosphere and cross-training across roles, creating a unique team spirit. General Managers here engage directly with guests and crew in an open kitchen, fostering a fast-paced yet collaborative culture.
Five Guys’ rapid growth offers career progression into regional management or corporate leadership. Their focus on leadership development and ongoing training equips General Managers with skills to evolve within a dynamic brand.
Five Guys encourages flexibility by cross-training managers and crews, promoting teamwork and adaptability. Real-time communication and a high-energy environment help General Managers effectively navigate shifting roles and diverse team dynamics.