Working in a fast-food restaurant may not seem glamorous.
I sure didn’t think it was when I used to do it.
However, it did help me build my confidence in communicating with people and socializing.
Keep that in mind when pondering the pros and cons of working for Five Guys.
It also could become the start of a career with a living wage without spending several years in college.
Table of Contents
Pros of Working for Five Guys
1. Flexible Scheduling
Many Five Guys locations offer flexible scheduling options
This allows employees to balance work, school, and personal obligations.
It also allows them the freedom to decide how much of a social life they want to have. Moreover, you could work part-time here if you already have a full-time job, if you want.
2. Competitive Wages (Increasing Overall)
The food industry underwent drastic changes from 2019-2020 after the Covid-19 pandemic started.
By 2023, CNBC had reported a 21% increase in hourly restaurant wages.
In fact, about half the states in the U.S. raised the minimum wage to approximately $11-$15 per hour.
Some states, such as Wisconsin, Texas, or Utah, still have a $7.25-per-hour wage.
However, many restaurants, convenience stores, and other food places still advertise salaries above that.
For Five Guy crew members, you can earn an average of $14 per hour, which some states still consider a “living wage.”
You’re at an advantage if the minimum wage at least covers your regional cost of living.
In this case, $14 would provide you with a modest disposable income.
The highest payout for crew positions could be $22 per hour.
Some management positions may pay more than this.
3. Fun Work Atmosphere
It may surprise you how much fun you can have working at a burger place.
Employees often enjoy interacting with customers at Five Guys.
You could even make someone’s day by just offering your smile and a moment of friendly conversation as you take their orders.
The Five Guys crew also has fun socializing with co-workers both on and off the job.
If you enjoy working with the people you do, it shows.
It attracts customers if you feel like you want to be at the place you work.
4. Opportunity for Advancement
As Five Guys continues to grow, new opportunities may arise.
For instance, you could become an assistant restaurant manager or a shift manager.
Eventually, you could gain enough experience to run an entire store or work in other departments, such as shipping and receiving or the corporate office.
5. Job Security
Five Guys has become one of the most popular burger chains in the country.
For that reason, it’s possible to remain employed with the company for years.
You also have the chance to transfer if relocating to a new city, which keeps you employed instead of seeking a new job.
Five Guys also has a presence in other places in the world, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, China, and more.
As of 2019, they’ve expanded to North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
You could work in up to more than 1,600 locations.
6. Employee Benefits
Full-time employees at some locations may be eligible for benefits such as health insurance and paid holidays.
You might also receive bonuses, depending on your position.
Retirement pay is also an option.
Other positions, such as Assistant Restaurant Manager, may also receive dental, vision, and pet insurance.
There’s also an employee assistance program, which may include help with taking adult education classes at a high school or college.
7. Discounted Food and Drinks
The type of meal discount you receive varies according to location.
Some places may allow you to enjoy reduced-priced meals or free burgers and drinks while on the job.
It sounds like an excellent way to keep your grocery bill low until you receive your first paycheck.
8. Not Terribly Late Hours
Most locations only operate from about 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
That means you can get home at a somewhat reasonable hour, even if you work the closing shift.
They also don’t have a drive-through, which makes it unique from most fast-food places.
9. Tuition Assistance
If you choose an educational program approved by Five Guys, you could continue to grow with the company.
It’s possible to have at least approximately $5,250 of your tuition paid for.
You can use this experience for future opportunities too, whether you are still at Five Guys or not.
Cons of Working for Five Guys
1. Difficult to End Your Shift
Working in a restaurant sometimes requires you to work past the end of your shift.
This can frustrate you if you have to pick up your children from school or have another job.
It makes planning fun events with friends and family a challenge too.
2. Sometimes a Lack of Employees
Customers expect employees to fill their orders quickly and correctly.
That’s not necessarily an unreasonable requirement.
However, it’s difficult to do when you don’t have enough employees to fill the orders as fast as they want you to.
3. Low Pay Scale
You can make higher than minimum wage in some Five Guys locations.
However, the pay scale in general may not measure up to the salaries other restaurants in your area may offer.
4. On Your Feet All Day
You may have to stand for long periods of time if you’re the one taking orders at the front register.
Being on your feet all day in the grill area can also cause pain and soreness.
Stretching your muscles before you start your shift may help too.
5. Limited Locations in Some Areas
Every U.S. state, for instance, has at least one Five Guys in it.
However, you still may have to move to another area to have the chance to work here.
If it’s worth the pay and benefits, it might suit you.
It’s not, however, if your new location has too high of a cost of living.
6. May Not Receive Benefits (Part-Time)
Some part-time employees may not qualify for health insurance, paid time off, or other benefits.
You’d have to find out what the regional store policies are.
For most retail industries, including fast food restaurants, you have to work at least 30 hours to get benefits.
7. Work Nights, Weekends, and Holidays
You might get a day shift, but that’s not always possible.
If you want to work at least 30 hours or more, you might have to pick up some hours during times when no one else wants to work.
This may mean less time for religious, social, volunteer, or other activities.
8. Sometimes Greasy and Grimy
The kitchen may not always be kept clean and safe, so it’s important to take precautions to avoid foodborne illness.
What’s more, you sometimes come home with the smell of fryer oil and animal fat in your clothes.
9. Potential for Burnout
You don’t have much time to think during a breakfast, lunch, or dinner rush.
This high-pressure situation doesn’t suit everyone.
If you’re prone to making more mistakes than usual when stressed out, this type of work may not be for you.
18 Pros and Cons of Working for Five Guys – Summary Table
| Pros of Working for Five Guys | Cons of Working for Five Guys |
|---|---|
| 1. Flexible Scheduling | 1. Difficult to End Your Shift |
| 2. Competitive Wages (Increasing Overall) | 2. Sometimes a Lack of Employees |
| 3. Fun Work Atmosphere | 3. Low Pay Scale |
| 4. Opportunity for Advancement | 4. On Your Feet All Day |
| 5. Job Security | 5. Limited Locations in Some Areas |
| 6. Employee Benefits | 6. May Not Receive Benefits (Part-Time) |
| 7. Discounted Food and Drinks | 7. Work Nights, Weekends, and Holidays |
| 8. Not Terribly Late Hours | 8. Sometimes Greasy and Grimy |
| 9. Tuition Assistance | 9. Potential for Burnout |
Should You Work for Five Guys?
When I was only 23, which was more than 20 years ago, restaurant work wasn’t my dream job.
I’m not sure it’s anyone’s dream job.
If I had thought of the advancement opportunities and the experience I could have gained, I might have taken it more seriously.
I did, however, enjoy the people I worked with.
We made it fun.
It’s an excellent place to work if you’d rather work with and for people rather than by yourself.
It’s also ideal for people who can handle the lunch rushes if they work the day shift.
It’s almost never boring because you always have cleaning and other work to do when you have customers.
What’s more, you’re basically getting paid to learn how to manage a business, and you can take that experience anywhere.
I say work at Five Guys because it may be less overwhelming than working at a place that has a drive-through window.
For me, that would be easier than working at Wendy’s or McDonald’s, two other restaurants I have worked in.
