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
At Five Guys in Middlebury, the General Manager role blends high-energy kitchen oversight with a people-first leadership style. Unlike some chains, managers here cross-train in every station, fostering a collaborative vibe, which is unique to Five Guys' culture and fast-paced environment.
Success hinges on motivation skills, stamina to handle continuous physical activity, and adaptability to manage shifting roles and rotating crews. Effective real-time communication and humility to lead the team come hand-in-hand with maintaining the upbeat Five Guys atmosphere.
While a high school diploma and some leadership experience are typical, certification like ServSafe is highly favored. In Middlebury, employers also value reliable professional references, highlighting trustworthiness alongside technical food service knowledge.
Typical shifts range from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm for mornings and 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm for afternoons/evenings. Flexibility to work both opening and closing shifts is essential, reflecting the dynamic nature of restaurant management and peak service demands.
Middlebury's hospitality sector shows steady growth, with a consistent need for experienced General Managers. The presence of popular chains like Five Guys boosts local hiring, making it a promising area for managerial candidates seeking leadership roles.
General Managers in Middlebury typically earn between $50,000 and $65,000 annually, aligning with regional cost of living. Five Guys supplements base pay with quarterly bonuses, creating a compensation package competitive among similar-sized US markets.
Managing fast-paced service with loud kitchen dynamics requires stamina and quick decision-making. Balancing crew rotations while maintaining high morale and seamless communication is critical, especially given the open kitchen setup where everything happens in full view.
Five Guys emphasizes a people-first philosophy, so General Managers focus on inspiring teams and fostering a fun, collaborative environment. This culture shapes tasks like coaching crew members, leading by example, and ensuring customer satisfaction through proactive engagement.
General Managers can advance to regional leadership roles or specialized operations positions. Five Guys promotes internal growth, valuing leadership development and providing ongoing training to help managers expand their skill sets within the growing brand.
Five Guys looks for high energy, adaptability, and a genuine love of food and music to fit their vibrant culture. Humility and a team-first attitude rank just as highly as prior leadership experience, ensuring managers can nurture a positive atmosphere.