Overview
Five Guys is an American burger restaurant chain positioned between conventional fast food and casual dining. Its core offer centres on burgers, hot dogs and fries, with milkshakes available at participating restaurants. Customers choose from a range of burger toppings without separate topping charges. The proposition is deliberately focused: a relatively narrow menu, food prepared to order and an informal dining environment rather than extensive product variety.
The business is privately held and remains closely associated with its founding Murrell family. Its restaurants combine counter service with an open-kitchen format and recognisable red-and-white branding. For prospective franchisees, the important distinction is that Five Guys is an established international system, but not one where new franchise opportunities are necessarily available in every territory.
History and growth
Jerry and Janie Murrell and their family established Five Guys in Arlington, Virginia, in 1986. The original business developed around fresh burgers and hand-cut fries, expanding gradually within the Washington metropolitan area. Its name originally referred to Jerry and the couple’s four sons; following the birth of a fifth son, the five brothers became the namesakes associated with the brand.
Franchising began in 2003, marking the transition from a small regional operation to a much larger restaurant network. Expansion accelerated across the United States before the business entered overseas markets. A significant milestone came in 2013, when Five Guys opened its first UK restaurant in London’s Covent Garden. The UK subsequently became a major market and an important part of its wider European development.
Global footprint
Public descriptions of the network placed Five Guys at over 1,900 restaurants worldwide as of 2026, with a presence in more than 20 countries. These rounded figures describe operating restaurants rather than the larger pipeline sometimes cited in announcements about development commitments. The United States remains its original and largest market, alongside an established Canadian presence and an expanding international estate.
Outside North America, Five Guys has developed operations across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Its international structure is not identical from country to country: restaurants may sit within company operations, franchise arrangements or businesses established with regional partners. Consequently, a global restaurant count should not be read as the number of individually available franchises. Local ownership structures and development rights matter more to an applicant than the headline size of the chain.
How the franchise model works
Five Guys uses franchising alongside other ownership arrangements to extend its reach. Franchise operators trade under the brand and follow its specifications for products, preparation, sourcing, restaurant presentation and service. The model depends on consistency: a customer should encounter broadly recognisable burgers, fries and ordering routines whether visiting a domestic restaurant or an international location.
Access to the system is selective. Five Guys has historically reported that US and Canadian franchise territories were sold out, while international opportunities depend on the market and existing development agreements. An interested operator should therefore establish whether rights are available before evaluating a particular site. Overseas expansion can involve experienced, well-capitalised partners developing multiple restaurants, rather than a straightforward offer to an individual seeking one outlet. Franchise availability should always be checked directly with the brand.
Investment and requirements
There is no single publicly disclosed worldwide Five Guys franchise fee or investment range applicable to every applicant. Historical US franchise disclosure documents and third-party summaries should not be treated as current quotations for a new territory. Prospective franchisees should request the relevant franchise disclosure documents, where applicable, and current development terms directly from the franchisor or authorised regional business.
Opening costs depend on property, restaurant size, construction work, kitchen equipment, labour and local compliance requirements. A multi-restaurant development agreement also creates a different capital requirement from a single opening. Beyond funding, operators need the ability to recruit and supervise teams, manage food safety and maintain reliable supply chains. Any proposal should clarify development obligations, approved suppliers, training, ongoing charges and which party carries responsibility for property selection and restaurant fit-out.
What franchisees should consider
Five Guys’ relatively limited menu does not remove operational complexity. Burgers are cooked to order, fries require preparation, and service must remain consistent during peak demand. The brand’s established use of fresh rather than frozen beef and its food-preparation standards place importance on deliveries, storage, kitchen routines and waste control. Labour productivity must be balanced against service speed and product quality.
Pricing and location also deserve close attention. Five Guys commonly occupies a higher price position than mainstream burger chains, making local spending power and customer expectations significant. Delivery can broaden demand but brings commission costs and the challenge of preserving food quality in transit. Its use of peanut oil, and the presence of peanuts in many restaurants, also make clear allergen communication important. Brand recognition does not eliminate these day-to-day operating responsibilities.
Competitive landscape
Shake Shack is a close comparison because both brands compete for customers willing to pay more for burgers than at traditional value-led fast-food chains. Wendy’s and Burger King provide broader burger competition through large networks, convenience and extensive promotional activity. In the United States, Culver’s and Whataburger also compete for burger occasions, although their geographical reach and menu propositions differ.
Five Guys distinguishes itself through customisation, a focused menu and its approach to fries and portion sizes. Those features create a recognisable offer but do not insulate restaurants from price competition. Independent burger businesses, delivery-focused operators and other quick-service cuisines compete for the same discretionary spending. For franchise assessment, the relevant competitive set is therefore the local catchment, not simply a list of international burger brands.
Outlook
Five Guys’ longer-term development rests on extending its international presence while preserving the consistency that supported its original growth. Entering additional markets offers scope for expansion, but local supply chains, property costs and consumer price expectations influence how quickly a viable restaurant network can develop. Announced territory agreements should be distinguished from restaurants that have actually opened.
For prospective partners, the central questions remain practical: whether the desired market is available, what scale of development is expected and whether the operating model suits local conditions. Five Guys has a substantial international platform and a clearly defined product offer. Neither automatically establishes the economics of an individual restaurant, which depend on the specific agreement, site and operating environment.
Five Guys franchise: frequently asked questions
How much does a Five Guys franchise cost?
There is no single publicly disclosed worldwide fee or investment range that applies to every Five Guys opportunity. Costs vary by territory, property and the number of restaurants required under an agreement. Prospective operators should request current franchise disclosure documents, where applicable, and development terms rather than rely on historical fees quoted by third-party websites.
Can you buy a Five Guys franchise?
Five Guys operates a franchise system, but availability is territory-specific. The brand has historically reported that US and Canadian franchise territories were sold out. International arrangements may favour experienced partners capable of developing multiple restaurants. Applicants should contact Five Guys directly to establish whether their intended market is open and what operating experience is required.
How many Five Guys locations are there?
Five Guys had over 1,900 restaurants open worldwide as of 2026, with a presence in more than 20 countries. This refers to operating locations, not additional restaurants covered by future development commitments. The estate includes different ownership arrangements, so the total is not a count of independently available franchises.
Where did Five Guys start?
Five Guys began in Arlington, Virginia, in 1986, founded by Jerry and Janie Murrell and their family. It initially grew around the Washington metropolitan area before beginning franchising in 2003. International expansion followed, including the opening of its first UK restaurant in London’s Covent Garden in 2013.
What experience do Five Guys franchisees need?
Requirements depend on the territory and proposed agreement, rather than a single publicly stated worldwide checklist. Running the business requires restaurant management, recruitment, food-safety and supply-chain capabilities. International development may involve multiple openings, making access to capital and experience managing a restaurant portfolio particularly relevant. Applicants should obtain the current criteria directly from the brand.
Latest Five Guys news
Our news engine monitors Five Guys announcements. New reports will appear here as they are published.
Figures are approximate and based on publicly reported information as of 2026. Franchise costs and terms change; prospective franchisees should obtain the brand’s current disclosure documents and take independent legal and financial advice. Profile updated October 2026.