Free Guide to Five Guys and Fast Food Chains

Understanding Five Guys: Menu, Pricing, and What to Expect

Five Guys is a fast-casual burger restaurant chain founded in 1986 by Jerry Murrell and his sons in Arlington, Virginia. The chain has grown to over 1,500 locations worldwide, with the majority operating in the United States. Unlike traditional fast food chains, Five Guys positions itself in the fast-casual segment, meaning customers order at a counter and food is prepared fresh to order rather than sitting under heat lamps.

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The core Five Guys menu centers on burgers, hot dogs, and fries. A basic hamburger costs between $5.15 and $5.99 depending on location and region, while a double burger runs $7.49 to $8.49. Hot dogs are priced similarly to single burgers. What distinguishes Five Guys from competitors is the customization model—you pay extra for additional toppings. Each burger comes with two free toppings from a selection including lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, mushrooms, jalapeños, and grilled onions. Additional toppings cost 50 cents to $1.00 each. The chain also offers bacon and cheese upgrades for $1.00 to $2.50.

Fries at Five Guys are famously generous. A regular fries order actually contains more than a standard serving—the chain fills the cup and adds a scoop to the bag as well. Large fries cost around $4.50 to $5.50. A typical meal of burger, fries, and drink ranges from $15 to $20 per person before tax, making Five Guys considerably more expensive than McDonald's, Burger King, or Wendy's.

• Five Guys uses fresh, never frozen beef patties
• All fries are cut from whole potatoes daily in each location
• Peanuts are available for free while waiting for food
• Many locations accept online ordering through their website or app
• Delivery is available through third-party services like DoorDash and Uber Eats in most areas

Practical Takeaway: When budgeting for Five Guys, plan to spend $15-$20 per person for a meal. If you want to control costs, order single burgers with strategic free toppings, skip the drink, or share a large fries order with others. Understanding the topping pricing structure helps you make informed decisions about customization.

How Five Guys Compares to Major Fast Food Chains

Five Guys operates differently from major competitors like McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King in several important ways. The most obvious difference is price—Five Guys burgers cost roughly three to four times more than a basic burger from McDonald's. A McDonald's cheeseburger costs around $1.50 to $2.50, while a Five Guys basic burger costs $5.15 and up. This price difference reflects fundamental differences in how these restaurants operate.

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Quality and preparation methods vary significantly. Five Guys uses fresh beef patties that are never frozen, cooked to order, and made from beef sourced primarily from U.S. suppliers. McDonald's and Wendy's use pre-formed frozen patties cooked on large grills. Five Guys fries are cut daily from whole potatoes in each restaurant, while competitors use pre-cut frozen fries. These differences mean Five Guys orders take 5 to 10 minutes longer than a typical fast food order. The trade-off is that many people perceive Five Guys burgers and fries as higher quality, though taste is subjective.

Customization options differ as well. Five Guys allows extensive customization at no additional cost up to a point—two free toppings per burger, then additional toppings at 50 cents each. McDonald's offers basic burger customization (no pickles, extra sauce, etc.) without charge. Wendy's operates similarly to McDonald's with basic modifications included. Burger King's customization is labeled "have it your way" and includes most toppings without extra charge.

The atmosphere and service model differs. Five Guys operates as fast-casual, with counter ordering and table seating. Customers typically eat in the restaurant or take food home. McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King are primarily drive-thru focused with limited seating, though they serve the same dine-in and takeout functions. Five Guys has no drive-thru windows at most locations.

• Five Guys: ~$17 average meal cost (burger, fries, drink)
• McDonald's: ~$8-10 average meal cost
• Wendy's: ~$9-11 average meal cost
• Burger King: ~$9-11 average meal cost
• Five Guys preparation time: 5-10 minutes
• Traditional fast food preparation time: 2-4 minutes

Practical Takeaway: Choose Five Guys when you prioritize quality ingredients and customization over speed and low cost. Choose traditional fast food chains when you need a quick meal on a budget or want to use a drive-thru. Neither option is objectively "better"—it depends on your priorities, schedule, and budget for that particular meal.

Understanding Nutritional Information and Dietary Considerations

Five Guys publishes detailed nutritional information for all menu items on their website and in restaurants. This information is important for understanding what you're consuming. A basic Five Guys hamburger contains approximately 540 calories, 28 grams of fat, and 41 grams of carbohydrates. A double burger contains approximately 920 calories and 54 grams of fat. For context, the average adult needs 2,000 to 2,500 calories daily, so a Five Guys burger can represent 20 to 45 percent of a day's caloric intake depending on which burger you order.

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Fries at Five Guys are prepared in peanut oil and are not counted by weight but by generous portion. A regular fries order contains approximately 620 calories and 29 grams of fat. A large order contains approximately 950 calories and 41 grams of fat. When you add a burger and fries together, a typical Five Guys meal contains between 1,160 and 1,870 calories before adding a drink. Adding a 20-ounce regular soft drink adds another 240 to 280 calories.

Sodium content is substantial at Five Guys. The hamburger contains approximately 580 milligrams of sodium, while fries contain approximately 270 milligrams. A typical meal exceeds 1,000 milligrams of sodium, which is roughly half the recommended daily intake of 2,300 milligrams according to the American Heart Association. People managing high blood pressure or following sodium-restricted diets should consider this information.

Five Guys does offer options for people with specific dietary needs. Customers can request bunless burgers (burgers wrapped in lettuce). The chain has a detailed allergen menu because the restaurant serves peanuts freely, which is important for people with peanut allergies. Five Guys does not have dedicated fryers for non-fried foods, so cross-contact is possible for people with severe allergies. The chain publishes complete nutritional and allergen information online.

• A Five Guys meal can contain 1,400 to 2,100 calories—more than the caloric target for one meal for many people
• Sodium content in a typical meal (burger, fries, drink) exceeds 1,000 milligrams
• The chain uses peanut oil for fries, which is important for people with peanut allergies
• Bunless burger options are available for people avoiding bread
• Complete nutritional information is available at fiveguys.com and in restaurants
• Five Guys does not offer salads or significantly lower-calorie options

Practical Takeaway: Before ordering at Five Guys, review the nutritional information if you track calories, sodium, or other nutrients. Consider sharing fries or ordering a smaller size.