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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Five Guys Franchise

Five Guys is a family-owned fast-casual burger brand founded in 1986 in Arlington, Virginia. Built around a no-compromise approach to freshness — no freezers, no microwaves, no timers — the brand serves made-to-order burgers, hot dogs, hand-cut fries cooked in pure peanut oil, and milkshakes. Since beginning to franchise in the early 2000s, the network has expanded to more than 1,950 locations across 29 countries. Five Guys is the largest fast-casual burger chain in the United States by system sales.

The menu is intentionally simple but highly customizable, with over 250,000 possible burger combinations. Restaurants operate on a dine-in and carry-out model without drive-through lanes. All beef is fresh and hand-formed; toppings are prepared daily. With nearly 1,500 US locations, the brand is represented across most major domestic markets.

The Murrell family, which founded the brand and named it after their five sons, remains actively involved in operations, quality standards, and franchisee selection. International expansion began in 2010, and international system sales crossed $1 billion in 2024.

Latest Resales

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Why buy a Five Guys Franchise?

Five Guys is one of the most recognized names in fast-casual dining. Buyers looking to buy a Five Guys franchise step into an established brand with proven consumer demand, a loyal repeat customer base, and a menu concept that has maintained its premium positioning since 1986. The focused menu with high customization reduces operational complexity while supporting brand consistency across locations.

The brand’s quality commitment is built around fresh, never-frozen beef, hand-cut fries, and a no-timers approach to food preparation. Five Guys registered US system sales exceeding $2.3 billion in 2024, a scale that funds ongoing marketing, supply chain investment, and system development across the franchise network.

Five Guys Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1986

    • Franchising Since

      2002

    • New Startup Cost

      $977,850 – $1,375,750

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $25,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $5,000

    • Royalty Fee

      6%

      of Gross Sales

    • Marketing Fee

      2%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      1558

    • New Units Opened *

      35

    • Units Transferred *

      50

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      Not Disclosed

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

Five Guys – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Five Guys provides initial training for new owners and operators: three consecutive weeks of hands-on in-store instruction at a regional Certified Training Store, followed by one week of classroom training at the company’s Home Office in Alexandria, Virginia. Ongoing operational and marketing support is maintained centrally by the corporate team. Buyers of an existing unit should confirm with Five Guys what training and system access transfers to incoming ownership.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Five Guys requires previous restaurant, franchising, or business ownership experience from all franchisees. The brand is operations-intensive, with owners responsible for maintaining strict quality standards across food preparation, staffing, and customer experience. The ideal operator is hands-on, comfortable managing a team in a high-volume food service setting, and committed to the brand’s quality-first culture. Any operating partner must hold equity in the company; the model suits those prepared for active restaurant management, not a semi-absentee role.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Five Guys received the inaugural 2025 Global Restaurant Leader of the Year award from Restaurant Business, presented at the Global Restaurant Leadership Conference in Barcelona. The brand ranks #35 in the Franchise Times Top 400 for 2025. USA TODAY 10BEST named Five Guys #7 for Best Fast Food Fries and #10 for Best Fast Casual Restaurant in 2025 (and #5 and #8 respectively in 2024). The franchise system holds FRANdata Franchise Registry Verified status. In previous years, the brand received recognition from Harris Poll and Market Force as a top burger brand.

  4. Industry / Market

    Fast-casual dining is the fastest-growing segment of US foodservice, driven by consumer demand for fresh ingredients, menu customization, and a better dining experience than traditional quick service. The US quick service restaurant industry exceeds $400 billion in annual sales, with fast casual capturing a growing share. Five Guys occupies the premium end of the burger category, positioned to attract diners trading up on food quality. For resale buyers, unit performance depends significantly on location traffic, local competition, and demographic fit within the territory.

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