Why Is Five Guys So Expensive? 8 Reasons and How to Save

Five Guys costs more because it sells a bigger, fresher burger and charges for the whole package up front. Beef is never frozen, a regular burger has two patties, fries are cut in the restaurant and cooked in peanut oil, and toppings are free. A burger, fries and drink often lands around $18 to $25 before tax, while a similar meal at McDonald’s or In-N-Out costs much less.

Here is what drives the price, how it compares with other chains using the Five Guys menu with prices, and how to spend less if you still want to go.

Why is Five Guys so expensive? The main reasons

1. Fresh, never frozen beef

Five Guys beef is delivered fresh and the kitchens have coolers but no freezers. Reporting from Tasting Table says the meat arrives every few days and is used within about 30 hours of being stored. Fresh beef means more deliveries, more hand prep and more waste when it is not used in time.

2. Two patties come standard

A regular Five Guys burger has two patties, and each patty is roughly 3 to 4 ounces. Tasting Table puts a McDonald’s patty at about 1.6 ounces and a Big Mac at about 3.2 ounces of beef in total. So a Five Guys “regular” is closer to a double burger elsewhere. The menu word “Little” means one patty.

3. Fries cut in store and cooked in peanut oil

Five Guys says it cooks fries in 100 percent refined peanut oil, and Food Republic reports that the fries start as whole potatoes that are rinsed, cut and cooked twice. Peanut oil costs more than common fry oils. Tasting Table compared a 35 pound container of peanut oil at $65.82 with a 33 pound container of soybean oil at $38.58 at Costco.

4. Big portions and an extra scoop

The company says an extra helping of fries in every bag has been a tradition since 1986. That is why a Little fry is already a decent side for one person and a Regular can feed two.

5. Free toppings

All 15 toppings are free, from grilled onions and mushrooms to jalapeños and sauces. Only cheese and bacon cost extra. Chowhound points out that this is a good deal if you like a loaded burger, but you pay for it in the base price even if you want yours plain.

6. No permanent value menu

Five Guys has no standing dollar menu or everyday discount menu. Its CEO told Inc. Magazine years ago that the chain raises prices to match its food costs, and that if a supplier triples a price, Five Guys pays triple. Beef costs have added pressure. Tasting Table reported that the US government price index for beef and veal was up 14.7 percent in September 2025 compared with a year earlier.

7. Location, labor and simple stores

Prices change a lot by city. A Business Insider comparison quoted by Mashed found a plain hamburger at $9.59 in Los Angeles. Everything is made to order by hand, which takes more staff time than a heated-and-held menu. Our guide on why restaurant prices vary by location explains rent and wages in more detail.

8. A quality claim that people pay for

Five Guys spends little on decor and says it puts its money into food. The result is a brand that is priced closer to casual dining than to a drive-thru. MoneyGeek data cited by Chowhound put the average Five Guys meal at $20.84 in 2024, while McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and Jack in the Box stayed under $14.

How Five Guys prices compare with other burger chains

A Five Guys Cheeseburger costs roughly twice a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with Cheese and almost three times an In-N-Out Cheeseburger, but it also has two patties. These are typical prices from our menu pages. They vary by city.

Tasting Table compared the two burger giants in June 2026 and found In-N-Out cheaper for a combo, with Five Guys around $14 for a Classic Combo and In-N-Out a little over $11 for a #1 combo. It also noted that not every Five Guys offers the Classic Combo. The combo started as a test at 177 restaurants at $12.99, so check your local store.

Is Five Guys worth it?

Five Guys is worth it if you want a big, customized burger with fresh toppings and fries to share, and not worth it if you want the lowest price. The answer depends on how you order.

• Worth it: a Little burger loaded with free toppings, one order of fries split between two people, and a shake with free mix-ins.
• Less worth it: a regular bacon cheeseburger, large fries and a drink for one person. A viral receipt for a bacon cheeseburger ($12.49), small fries ($5.19) and a soda ($2.89) came to $21.91 with tax, according to Tasting Table.

Some reviewers argue the comparison is not fair, since a Five Guys burger and fry order is much larger than a fast food one. Others find the burger plain and the buns soft. If cost matters most, see our list of the cheapest fast food meals.

How to save money at Five Guys

• Order Little. A Little Cheeseburger has one patty and costs about $3 to $4 less. See our Little vs regular burger comparison.
• Share the fries. One Regular order (about 953 calories) is enough for two.
• Use the Classic Combo if your store has it. It bundles a Little burger, Little fry and drink.
• Check the app for promos. Five Guys has run short offers such as free Little fries for a few days and a Buy One Burger, Get One Free deal on National Cheeseburger Day 2026, according to its news page. These are limited and need an account. We could not confirm a permanent points-based rewards program in the US.
• Skip paid add-ons. Use free toppings instead of bacon, and ask for water to avoid the $3 or more drink price.

More ideas are in our guide on how to save money on fast food.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Five Guys so expensive?

Five Guys is expensive because it uses fresh, never frozen beef, serves two patties on a regular burger, cuts fries in store and cooks them in peanut oil, and includes free toppings. It also has no everyday value menu. Rising beef prices add to the cost.

How much is a burger at Five Guys?

A regular Five Guys burger costs about $11 to $14 and a Little burger about $7.50 to $10.50 depending on the toppings you add and the city. A Cheeseburger is about $12.09 and a Little Cheeseburger about $8.69 on our menu page. A full meal with fries and a drink is often $18 to $25.

Is Five Guys worth it?

Five Guys is worth it if you value big burgers, free toppings and shareable fries, but it is not the cheapest burger option. Ordering a Little burger and sharing fries makes the price easier to justify. In-N-Out and McDonald’s cost less for a similar meal.

Why are Five Guys fries so big?

Five Guys gives a large serving because the crew adds an extra scoop to every bag, a tradition the company says dates back to 1986. The company also notes that a little grease on the bag is normal. A Regular order has about 953 calories, so many people split one.

Does Five Guys have deals?

Five Guys does not have a permanent value menu, but it runs short app and online promotions. Examples listed on its news page include free Little fries for a few days and Buy One Burger, Get One Free on National Cheeseburger Day 2026. Some locations also offer a Classic Combo of a Little burger, Little fry and drink.

What is the cheapest thing at Five Guys?

The cheapest items are the Veggie Sandwich at about $5.49 and the Grilled Cheese at about $5.79. The cheapest burger is the Little Hamburger at about $7.59. Prices change by location.

Are Five Guys toppings really free?

Yes, all 15 toppings are free on burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches, including grilled onions, mushrooms, jalapeños and sauces. Only cheese and bacon cost extra. This makes the base price easier to accept if you like a loaded burger.

Why are Five Guys fries cooked in peanut oil?

Five Guys says it uses 100 percent refined peanut oil for flavor and consistency, and it has cooked its fries the same way since 1986. Peanut oil costs more than soybean or canola oil. People with peanut allergies should ask a doctor first, because the company says it cannot rule out cross-contact.

Prices are typical U.S. prices before tax and can vary by location. Menus Info is not affiliated with any restaurant mentioned. See how we check prices.