Restaurant Shift Leader
Job Overview:
As a Shift Leader at Five Guys, you’ll play a key role in creating a positive experience for both team members and guests. You’ll be hands-on in daily operations—coaching team members, setting the pace, and leading by example in delivering high standards of food quality, cleanliness, and customer service. This role is a crucial step toward a long-term management career and provides the opportunity to make a real impact on the success of your location.
What You'll Get:
- Competitive base pay starting at $19.00/hour, plus tips and bonuses
- Weekly eligibility for Secret Shopper bonus shared by the entire shift team
- Free meals during every shift worked
- A supportive, fun work environment with team-oriented culture
- Access to growth opportunities and promotions within the company
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) (eligibility required)
- Real-time feedback, performance reviews, and mentorship
Responsibilities:
- Lead and supervise shifts by managing crew assignments and overseeing day-to-day operations
- Foster a team environment that emphasizes cooperation, positivity, and productivity
- Ensure food is prepared to high-quality standards and maintain food safety protocols
- Train and mentor team members to perform all restaurant functions efficiently
- Handle guest concerns promptly and professionally
- Take ownership of cleanliness, organization, and store readiness during your shift
- Support opening and closing procedures and track shift performance metrics
What We're Looking For
- Previous experience in a leadership role in food service or a fast-paced environment
- Strong communication skills and the ability to motivate a diverse team
- A commitment to excellence in customer service and operations
- Enthusiasm for great food, high energy, and a positive attitude
- Dependability and a strong sense of personal accountability
- Willingness to learn, adapt, and take initiative
- Desire to grow and take on more responsibility
If you're ready to take the next step in your restaurant career and work in an environment where you can lead, grow, and have fun doing it—Five Guys is the place for you.
Recent Jobs
Employment opportunities at Five Guys
Jobseekers are also searching for
Searches you may like
Trending searches in River Forest, IL
Popular Searches for Shift Lead
Frequently Asked Questions
At Five Guys in River Forest, the Shift Lead balances hands-on team coaching with maintaining high food quality and customer service standards. This role emphasizes real-time feedback and mentorship, offering a unique blend of operational responsibility and growth opportunities not always found in similar fast-paced restaurant leadership positions.
Effective communication and motivational ability are crucial for a Shift Lead at Five Guys. Candidates must demonstrate adaptability, accountability, and enthusiasm to manage diverse teams while ensuring smooth daily operations and excellent guest experiences under pressure.
Serving as a Shift Lead at Five Guys is a springboard to higher management roles within the company. Employees often advance to assistant manager or location manager positions, leveraging hands-on leadership experience and company-offered mentorship programs.
Yes, the shift team at Five Guys in River Forest can earn weekly secret shopper bonuses, rewarding excellent service quality during shifts. This incentive encourages teamwork and consistently high standards in food preparation and guest interaction.
Shift Leads at Five Guys in River Forest start around $19.00 per hour, with additional income from tips and performance bonuses. This competitive pay reflects the leadership responsibilities and fast-paced nature of the role within the local job market.
River Forest’s proximity to Chicago means a moderately competitive market for Shift Leads, fueled by a vibrant restaurant scene and demand for skilled leaders. Candidates with prior fast-food leadership experience and strong interpersonal skills stand out.
Given River Forest’s suburban setting, commuting options include driving, local Metra train lines, and bus routes. Planning shifts around transit schedules or carpooling can optimize punctuality and work-life balance.
Five Guys fosters a team-oriented, fun workplace where Shift Leads are expected to lead by example through positivity and cooperation. This supportive culture enhances employee engagement and promotes a collaborative atmosphere during busy shifts.
Shift Leads juggle crew coordination, ensuring food safety compliance, resolving guest issues, and maintaining cleanliness. Balancing these tasks while keeping team morale high requires strong multitasking and problem-solving skills.
Five Guys offers structured performance reviews, mentorship, and access to internal promotions, empowering Shift Leads to build management skills and advance within the company’s expanding restaurant network.