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
Bolingbrook's growing food industry requires General Managers who excel in quick decision-making and team motivation amidst busy shifts. Compared to larger cities, managers here often juggle more hands-on roles due to smaller team sizes, emphasizing adaptability and personal leadership over purely administrative tasks.
Bolingbrook's community values friendly, approachable service, so Five Guys General Managers are expected to foster a welcoming atmosphere and strong team camaraderie. The local workforce appreciates transparent communication and teamwork, shaping a hands-on leadership approach that balances efficiency with a casual, upbeat vibe.
Top-performing General Managers combine high energy with exceptional interpersonal skills, prioritizing team development and operational fluency. They balance financial oversight with frontline leadership, excel in multitasking, and maintain morale during peak hours—traits essential in fast-paced environments like Five Guys.
Experience as a restaurant General Manager can lead to roles such as Area Manager, Regional Director, or corporate positions in operations and training. Developing strong leadership, financial management, and customer service skills at Five Guys provides a solid foundation for broader hospitality or retail management careers.
At Five Guys, General Managers focus heavily on team dynamics and fast-paced customer engagement, unlike retail or construction where inventory or project execution might dominate. Here, operational flow and employee cross-training are vital, reflecting the unique demands of a quick-serve restaurant environment.
Five Guys offers a competitive base salary enhanced by quarterly bonuses tied to restaurant performance, plus ongoing leadership development. The brand's people-first culture encourages team collaboration and career growth, distinguishing it from other chains that may emphasize rigid hierarchies or less dynamic training.
Five Guys invests in continuous training programs that refine managerial skills and operational expertise. General Managers gain exposure to diverse restaurant roles, enhancing adaptability and leadership. The supportive culture nurtures career advancement, often promoting from within to regional or corporate leadership positions.
General Managers in Bolingbrook’s fast-food industry can expect annual salaries ranging from $50,000 to $65,000, depending on experience and restaurant performance. Bonus structures at Five Guys can further increase total compensation, rewarding leadership that drives operational success and customer satisfaction.
While not mandatory, certifications like ServSafe enhance a candidate's profile, reflecting food safety expertise valued by Five Guys. Illinois employers often favor candidates with prior leadership experience combined with formal food service training to ensure compliance and quality standards.
Managing overlapping shifts demands quick coordination of crew assignments, real-time problem solving, and maintaining high energy levels to sustain service quality. General Managers must balance operational oversight with hands-on support, ensuring smooth transitions between morning and evening teams without service dips.