How much does a FIVE GUYS franchise cost?

The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $977,850–$1,375,750, including a $25,000 initial franchise fee.

How much do FIVE GUYS franchise owners make?

FIVE GUYS discloses little or no earnings data (Item 19) — meaning the franchisor won't put real owner profit in writing. That's a red flag worth questioning.

Is a FIVE GUYS franchise worth it?

It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. FIVE GUYS scores F on disclosure honesty, carries about 8% of sales in ongoing fees, and discloses 2 legal matters. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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The real numbers on owning a FIVE GUYS franchise

Quick Service Restaurant - Burger/Hotdog · FDD 2025 · from public state filings

FDisclosure honesty

This franchisor discloses little to no earnings data (Item 19).

★☆☆☆☆ FranchiseValidate transparency rating: 1/5

Investment

$977,850–$1,375,750

Total fees

8% of sales

Outlets

1,558

Closure signals

14 ceased, 0 terminated

Lawsuits

Is FIVE GUYS worth it? How it compares to 60 similar franchises

Ongoing fees	8% of sales	lower than most (median 8.5%)
Startup cost	from $977,850	pricier than 79% of peers
Disclosure honesty	Grade F	less honest than most of the category
Closure rate	0.9% of outlets	better than most (median 1.2%)
Disclosed lawsuits	2	more litigious than 61% of peers

Benchmarked against every quick service restaurants franchise we've graded from public FDDs — the context the franchisor's pitch never gives you.

What their own earnings claim actually says

No financial performance representations provided. Franchisor explicitly states they do not disclose franchisee income or outlet performance data.

Honesty grade F: the disclosed numbers are incomplete or framed to look better than an owner's real take-home.

Failure & turnover reality (Item 20)

2024: 14 ceased operations, 0 terminations, 50 transfers. Relatively stable system with modest growth.

Legal history (Item 3)

2 matters disclosed.

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The franchisor won't put real owner profit in writing. We do — reconstructed from their own FDD.

Franchisor's framing: No financial performance representations provided. Franchisor explicitly states they do not dis…

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FIVE GUYS franchise — frequently asked

How much does a FIVE GUYS franchise cost?: The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $977,850–$1,375,750, including a $25,000 initial franchise fee.
How much do FIVE GUYS franchise owners make?: FIVE GUYS discloses little or no earnings data (Item 19) — meaning the franchisor won't put real owner profit in writing. That's a red flag worth questioning.
What is the FIVE GUYS franchise failure rate?: 2024: 14 ceased operations, 0 terminations, 50 transfers. Relatively stable system with modest growth.
Is a FIVE GUYS franchise worth it?: It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. FIVE GUYS scores F on disclosure honesty, carries about 8% of sales in ongoing fees, and discloses 2 legal matters. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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Compare FIVE GUYS to similar franchises

McDonald'sC Del TacoC Tropical Smoothie CafeD Culver'sF

See all franchises ranked by disclosure honesty →

Source: MN CARDS 34711-202508-10 (Clean FDD 2025). FranchiseValidate is independent and not affiliated with FIVE GUYS or its franchisor. Figures are extracted from the franchisor's own public disclosure document; verify against the current FDD before any decision.