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
In Portsmouth's bustling food scene, a General Manager thrives by balancing high energy with strong leadership, managing dynamic teams through constant shift changes, and ensuring smooth operations amid a lively kitchen atmosphere. Adaptability and real-time communication are vital to meet local customer expectations efficiently.
Successful restaurant General Managers must inspire their crew with humility and motivation, maintain stamina for physically demanding shifts, and foster a positive team culture. These traits drive performance, encourage collaboration, and improve customer satisfaction in high-pressure settings.
Experience as a General Manager at Five Guys can open doors to regional management roles, corporate leadership positions, or franchise ownership opportunities. The skill set developed—team leadership, financial oversight, and operational excellence—is highly transferable across the hospitality and retail sectors.
While not always mandatory, certifications like ServSafe enhance a General Manager’s credibility and compliance with food safety standards in Portsmouth. Local health regulations emphasize certified knowledge, making such credentials valuable for operational leadership and regulatory inspections.
Portsmouth’s growing hospitality market shows steady demand for experienced General Managers who can handle fast-paced environments. With competition increasing among eateries, candidates with strong leadership and adaptability are highly sought after to maintain competitive service quality.
Most General Managers in Portsmouth benefit from manageable commutes due to the city's compact layout and accessible public transport. However, peak-hour traffic near popular dining districts can add time, so proximity to the restaurant or flexible shift hours often improves work-life balance.
Five Guys emphasizes a people-first culture and a lively work environment where managers cross-train in all positions, fostering hands-on leadership. This approach promotes team camaraderie and operational agility, distinguishing it from more rigid management structures elsewhere.
At Five Guys, General Managers actively oversee inventory control and cost management with a strong focus on balancing quality and profitability. The role demands real-time financial adjustments during shifts, integrating team coaching to optimize both guest experience and budget adherence.
General Managers at Five Guys in Portsmouth generally earn between $50,000 and $65,000 annually, with additional quarterly bonuses tied to restaurant performance. This compensation reflects the role’s leadership demands and the fast-paced, customer-focused nature of the environment.