Five Guys makes burgers to order with toppings you choose, and the price reflects the customization and fresh ingredients

Five Guys does not use heat lamps or pre-made patties. When you order, staff shape beef on a griddle in front of you, toast your bun, and add toppings one at a time. This made-to-order model means longer wait times than chains that assemble from holding bins, but also means you control exactly what goes on your burger. The trade-off is cost: a basic cheeseburger runs between $7 and $9 depending on location, and a bacon cheeseburger between $8 and $10. Add fries and a drink and a single meal easily reaches $18 to $22 before tax.

The company sources beef fresh daily from regional suppliers rather than frozen. Potatoes arrive whole and are cut in-house every morning. Toppings—lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mushrooms, jalapeños, and others—sit in bins behind the counter, and you can add as many as you want at no extra charge. This is the core difference from competitors: you are not choosing from a menu of preset combinations, but building the burger yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Five Guys charges by the burger base (hamburger, cheeseburger, bacon cheeseburger) and you add toppings for free, so the final price depends on what you choose.
  • A standard meal with burger, fries, and drink costs $18 to $22 before tax at most locations, making it more expensive than McDonald's or Burger King but comparable to sit-down burger restaurants.
  • The company uses fresh beef ground daily and potatoes cut in-house, which accounts for higher ingredient costs than frozen-supply chains.
  • Wait times are longer than fast-food chains because burgers are cooked to order, not assembled from pre-cooked inventory.

Menu structure and how pricing works

Five Guys lists three burger bases on the menu: hamburger, cheeseburger, and bacon cheeseburger. Prices for these bases vary by location but typically fall in the ranges above. Once you order a base, you choose toppings from a list that includes lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mushrooms, grilled onions, jalapeños, green peppers, grilled mushrooms, mayo, mustard, ketchup, and hot sauce. You can add any or all of them at no additional cost.

The menu also includes hot dogs, sandwiches (like a Philly cheesesteak or grilled cheese), and sides. Fries come in one size and are cooked fresh in peanut oil; the standard serving is generous enough that Five Guys includes extra fries in the bag as standard practice. Drinks are fountain drinks in small, medium, or large sizes. Milkshakes, made with real ice cream, are also available.

Some locations offer a "Little" burger option, which is a smaller patty at a lower price point, typically $1 to $2 less than the regular burger. This can be useful if you want to keep the meal cost down or prefer a smaller portion.

Why Five Guys costs more than other burger chains

The price difference comes down to sourcing and preparation. Five Guys does not buy pre-formed frozen patties; instead, beef is ground in-house or sourced fresh daily from regional distributors. Potatoes are whole when they arrive and are cut fresh each morning. This requires more labor and more frequent inventory turnover, both of which raise costs compared to a chain that receives frozen patties and pre-cut fries.

The made-to-order model also means less waste but more labor per burger. A worker must shape the patty, monitor the griddle, toast the bun, and assemble toppings individually. At a chain using assembly-line speed, a burger is built from components already cooked and held, which is faster and cheaper to execute.

The company also operates fewer locations than McDonald's or Burger King, so it does not have the same purchasing power to negotiate lower prices from suppliers. Smaller chains typically pay more per pound of beef and per pound of potatoes than massive competitors.

Customization options and how to use them

When you order, you tell the cashier your burger base and then point to or name the toppings you want. The cashier writes your order on a bag, which goes to the grill station. You can add any topping in any combination. Some people load a burger with eight or nine toppings; others keep it straightforward with just mustard and pickles. The cost stays the same either way.

You can also customize the meat itself: ask for your burger cooked to a specific temperature (rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, or well-done). Five Guys will honor this request. You can also ask for extra patties—a burger with two patties instead of one costs more, typically $3 to $4 extra depending on location.

Fries can be customized too. You can ask for them cooked extra crispy, or you can request a specific topping mixed in (like cajun seasoning or barbecue seasoning), though some locations charge a small fee for flavored fries.

Regional price variation and what affects it

Five Guys prices are not uniform across the country. A cheeseburger in New York City or San Francisco will cost more than the same burger in a smaller city or rural area. This reflects local rent, labor costs, and supplier prices. Some franchisees also set their own prices within a range set by corporate, so two Five Guys locations even in the same state may have slightly different prices.

The best way to know the exact price at your nearest location is to check their website or call. Most Five Guys locations have their menu and prices posted online, and prices are updated when they change.

Comparison to other burger restaurants

Five Guys sits between fast-food burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) and casual sit-down burger restaurants (local burger joints, chains like Red Robin). A meal at McDonald's costs $10 to $14; a meal at Five Guys costs $18 to $22; a meal at a sit-down burger restaurant often costs $15 to $25 depending on the restaurant and location. Five Guys is faster than a sit-down restaurant (usually 10 to 15 minutes) but slower than McDonald's (usually 5 to 10 minutes).

The quality difference is also relevant to price. Five Guys uses fresh beef and fresh potatoes; McDonald's uses frozen patties and frozen fries. If you prioritize ingredient freshness and customization, Five Guys justifies the higher cost. If you prioritize speed and lowest price, a traditional fast-food chain is a better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay extra for toppings?

No. All standard toppings—lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mushrooms, peppers, jalapeños, and sauces—are included in the burger price. You can add as many as you want at no extra charge. Extra patties or specialty items like bacon cost more.

What if I have a peanut allergy?

Five Guys cooks fries in peanut oil, which is a serious concern for people with peanut allergies. The company states that peanut oil is highly refined and does not contain peanut protein, but some people with severe allergies still avoid it. Call your location to discuss your specific situation before ordering.

Can I order online or through an app?

Most Five Guys locations accept online orders through their website or app, and you can pick up at the counter or have it delivered through third-party services like DoorDash or Uber Eats. Delivery adds a service fee and delivery fee on top of the food cost, so pickup is cheaper if you can do it.

How long does it take to get my order?

Typical wait time is 10 to 15 minutes during normal hours, longer during peak times (lunch, dinner). Because burgers are made to order, you will wait longer than at McDonald's, but the burger is fresher when you receive it.

Are there healthier options on the menu?

Five Guys does not have a dedicated "light" or "diet" menu. You can order a hamburger with minimal toppings and skip the fries to reduce calories, or choose a salad if your location offers one. The nutrition information for menu items is available on the Five Guys website if you want to compare options.