The Five Guys Origin Story: From Family Business to Burger Empire

The Five Guys story began in 1986 when Jerry and Janie Murrell decided to offer their four sons a choice: start a business or go to college. The boys chose business, and with $70,000, they opened the first Five Guys in Arlington, Virginia.

The name "Five Guys" originally referred to Jerry and his four sons: Jim, Matt, Chad, and Ben. When Jerry and Janie had a fifth son, Tyler, the name became even more fitting.

What started as a small family operation has grown into over 1,700 locations worldwide, but the company has maintained its commitment to fresh, never-frozen beef and hand-cut fries. The Murrell family still owns the company and maintains the same quality standards they started with over 35 years ago.

The Early Days

The first Five Guys location was a modest 600-square-foot space in Arlington's Westmont Shopping Center. Jerry Murrell had a simple philosophy: serve a really good, juicy burger on a fresh bun, make perfect fries, and don't cut corners.

The family's commitment to quality was evident from day one. While other burger chains were moving toward frozen patties and pre-made ingredients, Five Guys insisted on fresh, never-frozen beef and hand-cut fries made from whole potatoes.

Growing the Business

For the first 15 years, Five Guys remained a small, regional chain with just a handful of locations in the Washington D.C. area. The Murrells were content to perfect their craft rather than rapidly expand.

The turning point came in 2003 when they decided to franchise. The response was overwhelming – they sold 300 franchise units in just 18 months. The key to their success was maintaining strict quality standards even as they grew.

The Five Guys Philosophy

Jerry Murrell's business philosophy was simple but revolutionary for fast food: "Treat that person right, he'll walk out the door and sell for you." This customer-first approach, combined with their commitment to quality ingredients, created a loyal following that drove word-of-mouth marketing.

Fun fact: The first Five Guys location didn't even have a drive-through because Jerry believed customers should come inside and see their food being prepared fresh. This transparency became a hallmark of the brand.

Today's Five Guys

Today, Five Guys operates over 1,700 locations worldwide, but the Murrell family still owns the company. They've resisted going public, preferring to maintain control over quality and company culture.

The success of Five Guys proved that in an industry obsessed with speed and cost-cutting, there was still room for a company that prioritized quality and customer experience above all else.