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- Five Guys’ prices have skyrocketed due to inflation, higher wages, and premium ingredients, making their burgers one of the priciest fast-food options.
- Their “free” toppings, extra fries, and fresh beef might seem generous, but they’re actually priced into the cost of every meal.
- While Five Guys is expensive, they still prioritize quality over cost-cutting—so you’re paying more, but at least you know what you’re getting.
Why Did Five Guys Get SO Expensive? 🍔💰 The Truth Behind the Price Hike
The Pricey Truth Behind Your Favorite Burger Joint
If you’ve been to Five Guys lately, you’ve probably had that “Wait… how much?!” moment at the register. What used to be a slightly premium fast-food spot has turned into a wallet-draining experience. A burger, fries, and a drink for nearly $20? That’s not just expensive—it’s wild. So, what’s the deal? Is it just corporate greed, or is there more to the story?
Spoiler alert: It’s a mix of both. While Five Guys definitely wants to maximize profits (like any business), there are real factors behind the skyrocketing prices. From inflation and labor costs to ingredient quality and sneaky pricing tactics, let’s break down why Five Guys is draining our bank accounts faster than we can say “extra fries, please.”
1. Inflation & Labor Costs 📈
First up—good ol’ inflation. Everything is getting more expensive, and food is no exception. Even though inflation rates have started to slow, prices rarely go back down. Once they go up, they tend to stay up.
But there’s another factor: wages. Unlike ingredient prices, which fluctuate, employee wages tend to stick. When Five Guys raised wages to match inflation, they couldn’t just roll them back when things cooled down. So, instead of cutting costs from their profits, they pass the bill onto you—keeping those burger prices high.
2. Premium Ingredients (At a Premium Price) 🥩🧀
Five Guys prides itself on high-quality, fresh ingredients. That’s great for taste, but terrible for your wallet. Let’s break it down:
- Beef: Their burger patties are never frozen and much thicker than competitors. The average price of ground beef has risen from $4.23 to nearly $6 per pound in the last five years. Since their patties are bigger than your average McDonald’s burger, that price hike hits hard.
- Toppings: All toppings at Five Guys are “free”... but not really. You’re paying for them whether you load up your burger or not. Even if you just want a plain cheeseburger, you’re still covering the cost of every single topping they offer.
- Fries & Peanuts: Five Guys is famous for stuffing your bag with extra fries. But guess what? That’s also factored into the price. You're not just paying for one serving—you’re paying for that infamous grease-soaked bonus scoop.
3. Supply Chain Woes & "Mayo Economics" 🏭🥫
Five Guys’ CEO put it bluntly: if the mayo supplier triples their price, they pay triple for the mayo. And when every ingredient—ketchup, lettuce, cheese, etc.—sees price hikes, Five Guys simply passes the cost onto you. Unlike some chains that cut corners or find cheaper suppliers, Five Guys sticks to their premium choices and raises prices accordingly.
4. The "Illusion of Savings" Trick 🤑
One of the sneakiest reasons Five Guys is so expensive? Their pricing psychology. Instead of raising prices across the board, they keep some items cheap to make you feel like you’re getting a deal.
- Their hot dogs and grilled cheese are relatively affordable.
- They give you “free” peanuts and an overload of fries.
- But the burger prices make up for everything.
By making the hero item (the burger) the most expensive, they create the illusion that you’re saving money elsewhere—even though, overall, you’re still paying more.
5. Are They Actually Worth It? 🤔
At the end of the day, Five Guys is a business, and businesses exist to make money. They charge more because they can. But unlike some fast-food chains that cut quality to maximize profits, Five Guys sticks to fresh ingredients, thick patties, and generous portions.
Some food experts, like chef Andrew Zimmern, even argue that a burger under $12 is a red flag—because, with rising beef and ingredient costs, it’s probably made with low-quality meat. So, while Five Guys is pricey, at least you know you’re getting 100% fresh beef (and a whole lot of grease-soaked fries).
Boujee Burgers or Justified Prices? 🍔💸
So, is Five Guys worth the hype and the price tag? That depends on you. If you love thick, juicy burgers and don’t mind paying extra for quality, it might still be worth it. But if the cost makes your wallet cry, you might want to explore other burger spots that won’t leave you financially drained.
One thing’s for sure—if Five Guys’ prices keep climbing, we might have to start treating it like a special occasion instead of a casual fast-food stop. Until then, savor every bite… because it’s costing you.
Stay hungry (and budget wisely) with more food deep dives at 3-min Reads.
#FastFoodPrices #FiveGuys #ExpensiveEats #BurgerInflation #FoodTrends
