Five Guys Employee Confessions

The burgers and fries at Five Guys are some of the best on the market. But, you might want to read these crazy confessions before you make your next order!

The Employee Package Is Crazy Good

Some people believe that workers who work at fast food restaurants don’t get any bonuses, promotions, or good pay. But, the workers at Five Guys get paid relatively well for how long and how they work at their particular branch. The package Five Guys’ employees receive is amazing.

One worker stated that after working and getting promoted at Five Guys, he received a full health package including healthcare and dental. So, if you ever want to get a starter job with all of the bonuses, try out Five Guys! Even though the package is good, be sure to know that another worker stated that his first job at Five Guys paid him almost half of the minimum wage. Rough!

FREE Burgers

Almost all Five Guys employees state that there are some definite perks besides money to working at the fast food chain. During lunchtime or when there isn’t a rush of people, the employees can take free burgers or fries. This is to ensure that workers are keeping up with their cooking even on their lunch breaks. But, it’s not all fun and games.

One Five Guys employee stated that even though they get free burgers, the workers are only allowed to take either well-done burgers or food that the restaurant wouldn’t be able to sell. That means the workers are given unhealthy or overcooked food for free. That’s not very appetizing at all!

Everything Is Fresh, Not Frozen

Five Guys prides itself on being one of the only fast food restaurants in the world that don’t keep most of their food products in plastic bags or in the freezer. One worker reported that the meat which is used to make the burgers is cut fresh the day before to ensure that no one gets sick.

The vegetables and the fries are also cut the same day in which they are sold so they are fresh! Even though all of that is great, the employee did confess that not everything is extra fresh. When ordering at Five Guys, be sure to try to avoid the mushrooms, which sometimes contain mold since they are one of the few items that are kept frozen in a bag.

They Don’t Wash Up

The key to food safety is washing up and washing your hands to keep everything incredibly clean. But, one worker at a Five Guys in Canada stated that most of his coworkers never or rarely washed their hands during working hours. The worker also stated that some co-workers didn’t even wash their hands after using the bathroom before returning to making burgers.

Another worker from a different location stated that even though they don’t regularly wash their hands like workers at other food chains, most of the workers who deal with raw meat wear gloves and change them often. When ordering something that has meat, try to make sure that you aren’t receiving food from someone with soiled hands.

The Burgers Will Kill You

If you’ve never checked out the calorie count for Five Guys burgers, we suggest that you do. Even though the calories counts are listed on their website and in some locations for everyone to see, many workers state that those numbers aren’t even remotely accurate. The calorie counts that you see for many of the burgers does not include any toppings or oils.

One Five Guys worker says that for any food that is grilled, workers use about five squirts of heavy fry oil to keep the food from sticking. This added oil can add around 500 extra calories to your meal. If you are watching your weight or trying to stay healthy, you might want to visit a different restaurant.

The Dinner Rush

At every restaurant, there are certain times during the day when the entire place will fill with angry customers. Workers at Five Guys confess that people will sometimes get into fights over their place in line during the dinner rush. One worker stated that two women even got into a screaming match over burgers and fries because each thought the meal which was prepared was theirs.

The workers at Five Guys are all taught during their training to anticipate people getting upset over orders and how to deal with customers who are angry. This training is there to ensure that customers and workers are happy and safe.

They Have Too Many Workers

The one thing that is great about Five Guys is that everyone wants to work there, but this means that jobs aren’t available. One worker confessed that there are so many people working at Five Guys, that the hours are absolutely terrible. The worker stated that many people who work at Five Guys only have shifts which last less than three hours.

Not only is this not a good situation for people who need the money and the hours, but in some places hiring people for this amount of work isn’t legal. The workers at Five Guys also state that since there are too many people working, moving up in the corporation is incredibly hard.

Workers Might Fight with Their Coworkers

Now this might just be one location of Five Guys, but many different workers have confessed to fighting with their co-workers. A worker at Five Guys confessed that at one point during his three-year stint working at a location, he got into three fist fights with his co-workers. This is because of the high-intensity job that is required of someone when they work at Five Guys.

The workers there are continuously made to work together in close quarters (as you’d expect in a fast food kitchen) and for those who can’t work with their teammates, the entire restaurant can be negatively affected. It seems like either workers at Five Guys absolutely love each other, or they can’t stand to even be near each other.

They Also HATE Their Managers

Managers are always intense when it comes to the restaurant business. Their job entails making sure that the customer is always fed, happy, and right. The company also is tasked with making their own workers happy. This job can be incredibly daunting, but managers at Five Guys seem to always be hated on. More than one Five Guys employee stated and confessed to hating their manager because of lack of motivation and leadership.

One worker even stated that their manager put themselves first, and didn’t schedule the worker because they simply didn’t like them. Another worker stated that their manager stole money from one of the registers one night and blamed it on another employee.

A Manager Stole Money from an Employee

Not only is this illegal, but it’s the worst thing that a manager can do. One worker at Five Guys confessed saying that his paychecks over time were starting to look smaller and smaller. At one point, the worker had put in over 20 hours of work for a week and his paycheck only said $35 dollars.

The story behind the vanishing paycheck amount is that the manager was stealing money from this one worker. The worker stated that the manager HATED him since he was hired, and was always making him clean the bathrooms, even though he knew the cook line. The worker finally quit after he wasn’t getting paid for his work.

Order the Regular

Five Guys sizes come in regular and large, but any worker will let you in on the secret that regular and large are almost the same size. When it comes to fries, you should never order a large. Not only is a large almost double the price, but it isn’t bigger than a regular. If you definitely want more fries, one worker states that you should always order two regulars.

Also, when it comes to burger size, if you order the regular you are ordering two patties. If you just want one burger and half the calories, be sure to order the junior size. It will fill you up, but it won’t clog your arteries or your break your bank!

Workers Are Always Burning Themselves

The worst thing that could happen to a worker at Five Guys is getting a burn. The oil in the fry cooker is not the only oil that is put onto your food. Whenever you cook something at Five Guys including burgers, fries, or any sandwiches, oil is being used.

The oil is so hot that touching it could burn off your skin. One worker states that he once dropped an entire vat of hot fry oil all over the ground, and it almost burnt his entire foot. Not only is this an incredibly dangerous working environment, but it is also unhealthy. You can just assume that everything you order from Five Guys is completely covered in oil.

It’s Relatively Clean…Usually

Even though workers might not wash their hands, in most restaurants cleanliness is key. One worker stated that his Five Guys restaurant was so clean, you could basically eat off of the floor. The worker stated that his restaurant location had one worker whose entire job was to clean the bathroom and the floor.

But, not every Five Guys is the same. Another worker at a different location stated that his restaurant was so dirty, that they would have to kill at least five rats during the week. Not only is that nasty, but those rats could infect your food with diseases.

You Work on the Lines for a While

Most people who work at Five Guys work there for their first job. But, some people have been working on the food lines at Five Guys for many years. The only problem with this is that mobility in the Five Guys locations (and in the corporate offices) is limited. One worker stated that even though he worked at Five Guys for over five years and was a dedicated worker, his manager NEVER promoted him.

The same worker says that the manager appointed other people over him, even though he worked at the same location for over five years. That said, if you want to have a great first job rather than move up, Five Guys is the perfect place!

People Are Always Going to Be Mean

Customers are always going to be mean to food service workers. And even though Five Guys is a well-organized restaurant, customers can be mean there, too. Many different workers say that customers become angry due to how busy the restaurants can be. But, one particular worker stated that after giving a woman the wrong order, she got so mad that she literally took items into her own hands.

The woman reached into her bag and threw hot fries back into the worker’s face. The woman was then escorted out of the Five Guys location because she was seen as a violent threat to the workers. Now, that’s a tough day on the job.

Things End up in the Food

Now this is most disgusting thing that could ever happen, but it happens WAY too often. Things tend to end up in the food that really shouldn’t be there. One worker stated that a customer once found a tail, to either a mouse or a rat, in a Five Guys burger. Another worker stated that workers tend to sweat in the burgers and in the food.

Even though the workers wear hair masks, the heat from the grill is so hot that they can’t help but sweat. This sweat sometimes drips into the food, even when every precaution is taken. Another terrible thing is that sometimes the workers don’t wash their hands, meaning that germs from the bathroom can get into your food. YUCK!

Don’t Eat The Ketchup Or Mustard

The grossest thing in the entire restaurant is something that might surprise you. The ketchup and the mustard container is filled with germs and grime. The workers at Five Guys don’t usually clean those containers, even though they are refilled every day. Mold and germs collect in the bottom of the containers and workers continue to fill the ketchup and mustard over that mold.

This type of mold is not spotted quick enough or cleaned regularly enough to not get into your food. When you’re dining at any type of fast food restaurant, especially Five Guys, try to always use individual packets when it comes to condiments.

The Ice Has Mold

It would seem that the ketchup and mustard containers are not the only things that are moldy at Five Guys. The ice is moldy, too. One worker confesses that in many of the ice machines and soda machines, the ice is never changed, but is constantly frozen. This constant frozen state allows for mold and germs to grow because the workers never clean the containers.

Another place for mold to grow is in the soda machine themselves. The soda machine, where your soda is contained and distributed from, can contain germs as well because workers are not trained to change the soda or clean them, Your best bet when ordering a soda is to order either a can or a bottle of your favorite beverage.

The Fries Are on Point

Anyone who loves Five Guys knows that the fries are on fleek and delicious! The fries are cut fresh from potatoes every single day, meaning that there are no added sugars or preservatives. They’re straight from the farm. Or at least, they taste like they are. The fries are also cooked in fry oil, which gives them a greasy and crunchy taste; so even though they may not be the most healthy, they taste delicious.

One worker stated that the fries are one of the most healthiest items on the menu because they are made from actual vegetables. Now, that probably isn’t totally true, but we like their positive thinking. You can also ask for your fries to be salted less, which ensures that you receive a hot batch of freshly made fries.

Overall, the Workers Seem to Like It There

Even though Five Guys isn’t up to par on some points, many workers say that they love their experience working there. One worker stated, “Amazing job with great advancement opportunities. Training is amazing and the knowledge you obtain is incredible. The owners, operational consultant, and all level of management are very hands-on with the business.

It is a great job for people who need full-time flexible hours. Highly recommend this as a place to work.” Another worker also stated that not only do people that work at Five Guys hang out outside of work, but one of his co-workers is now his best friend. This seems like a fantastic place to work for your first job.