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
Capitola's foodservice market is lively yet selective for leadership roles such as General Managers. Candidates with proven team-building skills and operational savvy stand out, especially in fast-paced brands like Five Guys, where leadership quality directly impacts customer experience and store performance.
While ServSafe certification is highly valued in Capitola's hospitality sector, especially for Five Guys General Managers, practical leadership experience and strong communication skills often weigh more in hiring decisions due to the hands-on nature of restaurant management here.
Success at Five Guys demands energetic leadership, adaptability to dynamic shifts, and fostering an upbeat team atmosphere. Unlike traditional restaurants, GM’s here juggle frontline roles and management duties, blending people motivation with operational excellence in an open-kitchen environment.
General Managers often progress to regional management or operations leadership by mastering multi-unit oversight, financial acumen, and team development. Experience at brands like Five Guys can fast-track advancement, given the emphasis on leadership and cross-functional skills.
Many think the role is mostly administrative, but it actually requires hands-on involvement, from coaching crews to managing inventory. The fast energy and direct customer engagement at Five Guys demand stamina, quick decision-making, and continuous team communication.
Five Guys expects General Managers to embody its people-first culture by leading with humility, energizing staff, and promoting communication. This cultural integration ensures that managers not only oversee operations but also actively shape a positive, music-filled workplace vibe.
General Manager salaries in Capitola for fast-casual dining typically range from $55,000 to $70,000 annually, factoring in bonuses tied to restaurant performance. Five Guys offers competitive pay with quarterly incentives reflecting operational success and leadership impact.
Managing double shifts requires balancing physical stamina with effective crew coordination. General Managers must adapt quickly to fluctuating customer volumes and staff rotations, maintaining high energy and clear communication to ensure smooth operations throughout the day.
While Associate General Managers often focus on supporting daily operations and crew management, General Managers hold full accountability for financial outcomes, strategic leadership, and complete shift oversight, including opening and closing responsibilities.
Five Guys seeks leaders who inspire through energy, adaptability, and a collaborative mindset. Emphasis is placed on vocal team communication and humility, creating an environment where managers actively engage in all restaurant facets while motivating their crews.