Why Is Five Guys So Expensive?
Fresh beef, fries cut in store from whole potatoes, peanut oil, unlimited free toppings, overfilled fry bags and no discounts. Five Guys prices the whole package in, so a burger, fries and drink often costs $16 to $22.
Jerry Murrell and his sons opened the first Five Guys in Arlington, Virginia in 1986, and the formula has hardly changed. Instead of competing on price, the chain chose to compete on ingredients and portions, and charge accordingly.
What you are paying for
| Cost driver | Why it raises prices |
|---|---|
| Fresh ground beef | No freezers in restaurants, so beef is delivered fresh and hand formed |
| Fries cut in store | Whole potatoes are cut daily, which takes more labor than frozen fries |
| Peanut oil | Costs more than the blended oils most chains use |
| Two patties per regular burger | More beef per sandwich than most chains’ standard burger |
| 15 free toppings | Grilled onions, mushrooms, jalapenos and more at no charge |
| Overfilled fries | An extra scoop goes in every bag |
| No discounts | No coupons, value menu or loyalty points |
How Five Guys compares on price
| Chain | Cheeseburger | Fries |
|---|---|---|
| Five Guys | About $12.09 (2 patties) | About $5.79 Little |
| Five Guys Little Cheeseburger | About $8.69 (1 patty) | About $5.79 Little |
| In-N-Out | About $4.35 | About $2.75 |
| McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with Cheese | About $7 to $8 | About $3 to $4 |
How to spend less at Five Guys
Order a Little burger instead of a regular, share one order of fries between two people since every bag is overfilled, and load up on free toppings rather than paying for bacon. Skip the bottled water and ask for a cup of water. A Little Cheeseburger with shared Regular fries comes to around $12 per person.
See every burger, fry and shake price on the Five Guys menu.
Related Questions
Why is Five Guys more expensive than McDonald’s?
Five Guys uses fresh beef, cuts fries in store, cooks in peanut oil, includes free toppings, overfills fries and does not discount. Regular burgers also have two patties.
How much is a meal at Five Guys?
A burger, fries and drink usually costs $16 to $22 depending on the burger and location.
Does Five Guys have coupons or deals?
No. Five Guys does not run coupons, a value menu or a loyalty program.
What is the cheapest thing at Five Guys?
The Veggie Sandwich at about $5.49, then the Grilled Cheese and Little Hamburger.
Is a Little burger at Five Guys small?
No. It has one patty and is about the size of a regular burger at most other chains.
Are Five Guys fries worth it?
Many people think so. They are cut fresh, cooked in peanut oil and overfilled, so a Regular order feeds two.
More on Five Guys
About this guide. USA Food Menu is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with Five Guys Enterprises. Prices are typical and vary by location. See current prices on the Five Guys menu.
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