Featured Image Credit: John Keeble/Getty Images
Topics: Five Guys, Food And Drink
Jess Battison
When it comes to grabbing a quick burger and fries, we all have our preference for a go-to spot. And for many, it’s just got to be Five Guys.
The chain is known for a number of things from offering ‘free toppings’ to giving you an absolute sack load of fries in the bag. But Five Guys is, of course, also known for being on the pricier side for a fast-food joint.
It recently sparked a debate when an ‘out of control’ receipt went viral. Yet while that age-old chat over whether its burgers are worth it continues, you might still be scratching your head over something far simpler – its name.
Luckily, while the price might be down to opinion and preference, Five Guys gave an actual, factual meaning behind its name.
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On its site, the US-based chain explain that it all goes back to Arlington, Virgina, in 1986.
Jerry and Janie Murrell presented their sons with a choice: “Start a business or go to college.”
And I’m sure you can guess where this is going.
Jerry explained what happened in an interview with Inc.: "My two eldest sons, Matt and Jim, said they did not want to go to college. I supported them 100 percent.
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"Instead, we used their college tuition to open a burger joint.
"Our lawyer said, 'You need a name.' I had four sons - Matt, Jim, Chad are from my first marriage, and Ben from my second to Janie, who has run our books from Day One. So I said, 'How about Five Guys?'
"Then we had Tyler, our youngest son, so I'm out! Matt and Jim travel the country visiting stores, Chad oversees training, Ben selects the franchisees, and Tyler runs the bakery."
So technically there are actually six guys...
Five Guys recently got a bit of negative press with the receipt for one person’s ‘simple’ meal setting them back $24.10 (£18.58).
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Taking to X, the customer expressed their shock in being charged that much for just a Bacon Cheeseburger, small fries and regular soft drink.
The burger cost the most, coming in at $12.49 (£9.83), while the chips were $5.19 (£4.08) and the drink $2.89 (£2.87).
The disgruntled diner added: "I was expecting about $12 to $15 per person for Five Guys. $22 (without tip) just seems to cross a line. What is the right amount these days?"
But the family business reckon the prices are justifiable, with the five-son named spot now boasting nearly 1,700 branches across the world.
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"Our food prices fluctuate," CEO Jerry Murrell previously told Inc Magazine. "We do not base our price on anything but margins.
"We raise our prices to reflect whatever our food costs are. So, if the mayonnaise guy triples his price, we pay triple for the mayonnaise!
"And then we'll increase the price of our product."
Murrell added that since Five Guys began, the focus has been on treating their customers right.
"From the beginning, I wanted people to know that we put all our money into the food,” he said
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"That's why the décor is so simple - red and white tiles. We don't spend our money on décor. Or on guys in chicken suits. But we'll go overboard on food."