The Restaurant Manager at Five Guys is the heartbeat of each location. This leadership role involves managing daily operations, maintaining high food safety standards, motivating crew members, handling customer service issues, overseeing inventory and labor budgets, and hitting performance targets. A Five Guys Restaurant Manager is expected to lead by example, ensure exceptional quality, and create a positive work environment.
According to job listings and salary reports, the average annual salary for a Five Guys Restaurant Manager in the U.S. ranges from $48,000 to $65,000, depending on experience and location. It’s a competitive role with great growth potential for those with a passion for food service leadership.
20 Interview Questions and Answers for Five Guys Restaurant Manager Role
1. Tell me about your background in restaurant management. “I have over five years of experience managing fast-paced restaurants, including two years at a high-volume burger chain. I’ve consistently exceeded sales goals while improving team retention.”
2. How do you motivate your team during busy shifts? “I lead with energy and set clear goals for each shift. I also recognize great performance on the spot and use incentives like shift-based contests.”
3. Describe how you handle food safety compliance. “I conduct daily line checks, hold monthly food safety training, and make sure all staff are ServSafe certified. I also do surprise audits to reinforce accountability.”
4. What strategies do you use to maintain labor costs? “I optimize scheduling by analyzing historical sales data and forecasted traffic. I also cross-train employees to increase flexibility.”
5. How would you handle an angry customer? “I listen calmly, validate their concerns, and take quick action to resolve the issue. I always follow up to ensure they leave satisfied.”
6. Tell me about a time you increased sales in a previous role. “At my last restaurant, I introduced upselling techniques and trained the team, which boosted average check size by 12% over three months.”
7. How do you ensure quality and consistency in food preparation? “I enforce strict recipe adherence and conduct regular quality control checks during shifts. I also coach staff on presentation standards.”
8. Why do you want to work for Five Guys? “I admire Five Guys’ commitment to fresh ingredients and quality. I align with the brand’s values and see long-term potential for growth here.”
9. How do you deal with underperforming employees? “I address performance issues with a private, respectful conversation. I set clear expectations, offer support, and follow up consistently.”
10. Describe your leadership style. “I’m a hands-on leader who believes in coaching and leading by example. I build trust with my team by staying involved and being fair.”
11. How do you prioritize tasks during peak hours? “I delegate based on team strengths and keep communication flowing. I focus on customer service and food flow while ensuring the team stays calm.”
12. How do you train new team members? “I pair new hires with experienced staff, follow a structured training program, and provide feedback after each shift to help them grow.”
13. What would you do if multiple employees called out last minute? “I would immediately look for available team members to cover, then step in myself where needed. I also work to build a reliable bench to prevent future issues.”
14. How do you measure your team’s performance? “I use KPIs like ticket times, customer satisfaction, labor efficiency, and food quality scores to assess and coach team members.”
15. How do you ensure a clean and organized restaurant? “I implement daily cleaning checklists, assign cleaning roles, and do walk-throughs every few hours. I also reward teams for keeping high standards.”
16. Describe a time you dealt with a supply chain issue. “When our delivery was delayed, I contacted nearby stores to borrow key items and communicated transparently with customers about wait times.”
17. How do you manage stress in a high-pressure environment? “I stay focused on solutions and keep communication open with the team. I also take quick breaks to reset when possible.”
18. What are your career goals in the restaurant industry? “I want to become a multi-unit manager and eventually work in operations. I’m passionate about mentoring others and driving business results.”
19. What would you do in your first 30 days at Five Guys? “I’d focus on learning company systems, building rapport with the team, observing store strengths and weaknesses, and identifying quick wins.”
20. Do you have any questions for us? “Yes, what are the current goals for this location and how can I best contribute in my first few months?”
Final Thoughts: Interview Tips for Success
Going into a Five Guys Restaurant Manager interview, it’s essential to be confident, prepared, and authentic. Research the company’s core values, and be ready to share real examples from your experience. Practice answering questions out loud and don’t forget to ask thoughtful questions at the end of the interview.
Dress professionally, bring a copy of your resume, and arrive early. Most importantly, show enthusiasm for the role and a genuine passion for people, food, and leadership.
Best of luck in your journey to becoming a Five Guys Restaurant Manager!
