We Are Five Guys
Serving Up
Something
Cravable
A really good hamburger is one of life’s simplest pleasures. Five Guys founder Jerry Murrell took that simplicity to heart. Like his mother always told him, “If you can give a good haircut or if you can serve a good drink at a bar or if you can serve a good hamburger, you can always make money in America.”
Burgers and Fries Since 1986
Five Guys opened their doors in 1986 as a small, carry-out burger joint in Arlington, Virginia. Now, nearly 40 years later, we operate more than 1,900 restaurants worldwide – all driven by an obsessive focus on quality and consistency.
1986
Start a Business or Go To College
The first Five Guys location opens in Arlington, VA
Five Guys came to be in 1986 when Jerry and Janie Murrell asked their three sons a simple question: Do you want to go to college or start a business? The boys chose to start a business and not long after, the Murrell family opened a quaint takeout spot in Arlington, Virginia.
1990s
Refining the System
The Five Guys family continues to grow
During the 1980s and 1990s, the Murrell family refined their concept. Two more brothers joined the team and as the family grew, so did the business. Four more restaurants with sit-down seating were added to accommodate a growing clientele.
2003
Sharing the Love
Five Guys begins offering franchise opportunities
Early in 2003, Jerry and Janie, together with the “Five Guys,” began offering franchise opportunities. In just under 18 months, more than 300 units had been sold.
2025
Five Guys Today
Staying true to our core values
With close to 2,000 locations around the world, Five Guys has come a long way since 1986. But one thing will always stay the same: our dedication to freshness, quality and the simple-but-serious pursuit of great burgers and fries.
