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
Hamden's hospitality sector is growing steadily, with general manager positions at popular burger spots like Five Guys seeing moderate competition. Local demand favors candidates with quick adaptability and leadership experience, reflecting the fast-paced nature of these establishments.
Traffic patterns around Hamden can affect shift punctuality, especially during rush hours overlapping with opening or closing times. Proximity to main roads and public transit options can ease daily travel, which is crucial for a General Manager juggling varied shift hours.
Strong motivational skills that energize teams, combined with clear, real-time communication, distinguish exceptional General Managers. The ability to manage shifting crew assignments and maintain a positive, collaborative environment is essential in dynamic food service settings.
Starting as a General Manager at a growing brand like Five Guys often opens pathways to regional management positions or specialized operational roles, leveraging hands-on leadership experience and business performance achievements.
While Assistant General Managers support operational tasks, General Managers hold full accountability for financial outcomes, staffing decisions, and shift operations. Their role demands a broader strategic focus and direct leadership over the entire restaurant team.
Five Guys emphasizes a high-energy, people-first culture with cross-trained teams and an open kitchen concept. General Managers here must blend leadership with stamina and adaptability, all while fostering a fun environment energized by classic rock tunes.
Five Guys invests in ongoing leadership training and offers clear career advancement prospects. Their dynamic team culture and quarterly bonuses motivate General Managers to excel while cultivating skills that prepare them for future managerial challenges.
General Managers in Hamden typically earn between $50,000 and $65,000 annually, supplemented by performance bonuses. This range reflects the fast-paced restaurant environment and local economic factors influencing compensation packages.
Certifications like ServSafe are highly regarded, demonstrating commitment to food safety standards. Additionally, leadership experience in customer-facing roles and local compliance knowledge enhance a candidate's suitability in Connecticut's competitive market.