New Five Guys locations keep popping up nationwide, meaning ongoing openings for crew members, shift leads, and restaurant managers looking for flexible hours.
Anyone who has driven past a Five Guys around lunch already knows the line rarely thins out. That constant customer flow is exactly why the chain hires all year, not just around summer break or the holiday rush. Whether you want your first job ever, a part-time schedule that fits around classes, or a full-time role with a real shot at management, Five Guys is one of the friendlier fast-casual chains to break into.
This guide runs through the positions usually open, roughly what they pay, what a typical shift looks like, and how to build an application that actually stands out. None of the numbers here come from Five Guys directly — they’re general ranges pulled from publicly reported fast-casual restaurant pay across the U.S. — so confirm exact pay and current openings on the company’s own hiring page before applying.
We’ll also touch on interview basics, mistakes applicants commonly make, and a few realistic ways to stand out when a location has dozens of applicants competing for a handful of shifts. By the end, you’ll have a clear, workable plan for applying with confidence.
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Read the Full Guide →Behind the Counter: What It’s Really Like to Work There
Busy shifts, cash tips in the jar, and a schedule that can genuinely work around your life.
⏰ Flexible Shifts
💵 Tip Jar
📈 Promote From Within
🎓 No Degree Needed
Common Positions and What They Involve
Nearly everyone starts out as a crew member, a role covering everything from grilling burgers and cutting fresh fries to running the register and keeping the dining area tidy. It’s an active, on-your-feet job, but training is uncomplicated and most new hires get comfortable within a couple of weeks. Since the menu is relatively simple compared with many restaurants, the learning curve is shorter than you might expect.
From crew, many locations promote into shift lead positions, which involve helping open or close the store, mentoring newer hires, and taking on basic scheduling or cash-drawer responsibilities. The next rung is usually assistant manager, then eventually general manager, both carrying more responsibility over inventory, staffing, and daily sales goals. Five Guys has a reputation industry-wide for promoting from within, so a dependable crew member has a genuine shot at climbing the ladder without needing outside restaurant management experience first.
Pay, Tips, and Benefits to Expect
Pay swings noticeably by state and even by city, since minimum wage rules vary so much across the U.S. In lower-cost areas, crew pay tends to sit close to the local minimum wage, while higher cost-of-living cities and states push starting pay up considerably just to stay competitive with other fast-casual chains. On top of the hourly wage, most locations pool the tips left in the jar and split them among the crew working that shift, which can add a meaningful amount to a paycheck, especially during a busy lunch or dinner rush.
Shift leads and assistant managers earn a higher hourly rate or move onto salary, reflecting the added weight of supervising a shift or an entire store. Many locations also throw in a free or steeply discounted meal during your shift, flexible availability that works for students, and for full-time staff, some mix of paid time off or health benefits depending on the franchise owner, since a lot of Five Guys locations are independently franchised rather than company-owned.
How to Apply and What Happens Next
The safest way to apply is straight through the official Five Guys careers website, where open roles are organized by city and state and refreshed as local franchise owners post new needs. Steer clear of third-party job boards asking for payment or financial details upfront — legitimate hiring never charges you to apply or to book an interview slot.
Once you apply, expect a call or text from a shift manager within a week or two if that location is actively hiring. The interview itself tends to be short and casual, usually held right in the restaurant during a slower stretch of the day. Managers are largely checking for reliability, a customer-friendly attitude, and whether your availability actually matches their scheduling gaps, so be specific and upfront about the days and hours you can work.
Typical Roles at a Glance
| Role | Typical Pay Range | Experience Needed | Common Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Member | $12 – $18/hr plus tips | None | Part-time, flexible |
| Cashier / Front Counter | $12 – $17/hr plus tips | None | Part-time or full-time |
| Grill / Kitchen Crew | $13 – $19/hr plus tips | None, trained on-site | Part-time or full-time |
| Shift Lead | $15 – $21/hr | 3–6 months crew experience | Full-time preferred |
| Assistant Manager | $36,000 – $49,000/yr | Prior shift-lead or restaurant experience | Full-time, salaried |
| General Manager | $46,000 – $66,000/yr | 1–3 years restaurant management | Full-time, salaried |
Tips to Stand Out From Other Applicants
- Apply directly on the official Five Guys careers site and pick the exact location nearest you for a quicker response.
- Spell out your availability clearly, including whether you can cover weekends, closing shifts, or holidays, since that flexibility often decides who gets hired.
- Arrive a few minutes early to any in-person interview, dressed neatly, even for a casual crew role.
- Bring up any customer service, cash-handling, or food safety experience, even if it came from a completely different job.
- If you haven’t heard back within about a week, a polite phone call or in-person follow-up is reasonable.
- After getting hired, ask your manager directly what it takes to move up to shift lead — showing that interest early tends to speed up promotions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need experience to work at Five Guys? No, most crew positions are entry-level and come with on-the-job training right from your first shifts.
How old do you have to be to apply? The minimum hiring age is usually 16, though some states or specific tasks may require applicants to be 18.
Does Five Guys hire part-time workers? Yes, part-time scheduling is common and a popular choice for students and people juggling more than one job.
Is the tip jar money guaranteed? Tips depend on how generous customers are and are usually pooled and split among the crew on shift, so the amount varies by location and day.
How long does the hiring process usually take? Most applicants hear back within one to two weeks, though busy locations can move faster during peak hiring periods.
Can crew members move into management? Yes, Five Guys is well known for promoting reliable crew members into shift lead and management roles over time.
Ready to kick off your Five Guys job search the right way?
