...“Five Guys Burgers and Fries: Ingredients for Success” How does one start a business in an industry that is dominated by companies that emphasizes speed and quantity over quality? Jerry and Janie Murrell with the help of their sons have come up with a formula to compete and beat some of the top fast foods companies. When the boys where proposed “start a business or go to college”, they picked to be entrepreneurs (Boone and Kurtz, 2012). Jerry Murrell and his wife started Five Guys Burgers and Fries in 1986. They opened the doors to the first carry out store in Arlington, Virginia with a philosophy that is accredited for the success of Five Guys Burgers and Fries. The original values of the company still stand strong today. There are three factors that contribute to the success for the company. Along with the social practices of the company which has also been a factor in the overall success of the company. “Sell a really good, juicy burger on a fresh bun. Make perfect fries. Don’t cut corners” (White 2009). This has been the Murrell’s basic philosophy since the beginning of Five Guys. Five Guys is known as a chain that sells fresh burgers that are never frozen and are prepare when ordered. There are 15 fresh ingredients that allow customers to specialized there burgers just the way they want. The fries are fresh cut and also made to order. The fries are only cooked in peanut oil. When a customer goes inside one of the Five Guys stores they have can see a sign...
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...Five Guys Burgers and Fries: Ingredients to Success Several characteristics of the national burger chain, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, sets it apart from other fast-food chains. These characteristics include the company’s philosophy, its original values, ethical and social practices, and its overall company culture. Without a doubt, a company who embodies all of the above characteristics is surely worth a more detailed exploration. The Philosophy A company’s philosophy highlights the overarching goal of its operation. In addition, it can help a company set itself apart from its competitors. This is precisely what occurred at Five Guys Burgers and Fries. According to its website, www.fiveguys.com, the company philosophy is “focusing on a few items, and serving them to the best of our ability.” As opposed to most of their competitors, Five Guys Burgers and Fries invest their money into the quality of the food instead of marketing. Five Guys' owner, Jerry Murrell believes "Our best salesman is our customer. Treat that person right, he'll walk out the door and sell for you." (Welch) This type of philosophy clearly sets the company apart from others. Not only does Five Guys Burgers and Fries have a powerful philosophy, the company also has original core values that remain strong today. Original Values Five Guys’ original values were created simple. "Sell a really good, juicy burger on a fresh bun. Make perfect French fries. Don’t cut corners." ” It is vitally...
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...Abstract Five Guys’ has evolved from a small family eatery, to one of the largest restaurant chains in America. They haven’t utilized any major marketing methods, but have accomplished this simply by understanding what their customer’s want, and how to consistently provide it. Five Guys’ was founded in 1986 with its original restaurant located in Arlington, Virginia, and quickly became a Washington, D.C. area treasure. It was Jerry and Janie Murrell who presented their four sons with two options, start a business or go to college. The Murrell brothers chose the latter opening their first restaurant location with their parents’ supervision. The family operated five restaurants by the year 2001 and began to offer franchise opportunities in 2002. Now, 26 years later, there are in excess of 1000 Five Guys’ locations throughout the nation, with plans for 1500 locations in development. This paper examines what differentiates Five Guys’’ from other restaurant chains. The literature notes the factors that contributed to Five Guys’’ success and rapid growth. How Does Five Guys’ Philosophy Set It Apart? As stated on the company’s website “We follow the philosophy of focusing on a few items, and serving them to the best of our abilities,” this is what sets Five Guys’’ apart from other fast food chains. Unlike their competitors, such as Burger King and McDonalds, Five Guys’ has a specific goal, which is to serve the highest quality hamburgers and fries achievable. Their...
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...FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES: INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS Five Guys Burgers and Fries: Ingredients for Success Dr. Hammad Elbedour BUSINESS 508: CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS 27 October 2013 FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES: INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS Five Guys Burgers and Fries: Ingredients for Success Five Guys considered by many as the best burger on the market originated in Lorton, Virginia in 1986. Five Guys entrepreneurs were Jerry Murrell with his wife and sons, Forbes Magazine identified in 2012 as the fastest-growing restaurant chains in America, five new stores opening weekly (Boone). The philosophy of Five Guys has set this fast food chain apart from the other fast-food chains. One of the company’s primary competitive differences is keeping it simple and perfecting their limited menu. Five Guys was built with the intent of keeping the Murrell family together as a unit and those strong family values remain today. Each of the seven Murrells own equal company shares of Five Guys, totaling 75% of the company. The family continues to hold business meeting at 1:00 PM on Tuesdays at their Virginia headquarters and decisions are made by a unanimous vote. The Murrell family has remained constant on the simple concept they started their business; creating a better burger and while making a little money doing it. Three factors that have contributed to Five Guys success is their branding, business ethics and franchising. Five Guys quality centered brand...
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...Running head: “FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES: INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS” “Five Guys Burgers and Fries: Ingredients for Success” A Review of the Literature Dr. Steven Brown Contemporary Business 508 November 27, 2013 2 “Five Guys Burgers and Fries: Ingredients for Success” Abstract The world famous Five Guys Burgers and Fries all started back in 1986 when Jerry and Janie Murrell offered sage advice to the four young Murrell brothers. “Start a business or go to college.” The business route won and the Murrell family opened a carry-out burger joint in Arlington, Virginia. The Murrell family only served hand-formed burgers cooked to perfection on a grill along with fresh-cut fried cooked in pure peanut oil. During the 1980’s and 1990’s they perfected their simple system, it was the place to get a fresh, juicy burger with all the toppings you could stuff between fresh-baked buns. In early 2003 the family started offering franchise opportunities in just less than 18 months; Five Guys Enterprises sold options for over 300 units. The overwhelming success of franchising a local restaurant made national news with articles in trade publications. Now, over 20 years after Five Guys first opened...
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...Introduction What do you get when two parents motivate five sons to make a decision between going to college or to start a business? You’ve guessed right, Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Their ingredients for success were founded in 1986 by parents Jerry and Janie Murrell along with their five sons (Boone & Kurtz, 2012). Five Guys went from a small family restaurant to being considered the fastest growing food industry in today’s consumer market. Moreover, their success was only pinpointed on the quality of the burgers served and less on advertising. Throughout this research report, I’ll explain the philosophy, values, successful factor contributions, and ethical and social practices of the Five Guys business culture. 1. Determine how Five Guys’ philosophy sets it apart from other fast-food chains. Ever since the establishment of Five Guys Burgers and Fries, they’ve desired their business plan to be simple. As stated by Jerry Murrell, “Sell a really good, juicy burger on a fresh bun. Make perfect French fries. Don’t cut corners (Boone & Kurtz, 2012).” This kind of philosophy has voted them to be number one as customers favorite go to restaurant (Hsu, 2012). To stand out from other fast food chains, Five Guys wanted to focus on the quality of food and less advertising as possible. In addition, their food is always served fresh with burgers that are eighty percent lean patties that aren’t frozen with a side of Idaho potatoes that fried in peanut oil (Boone & Kurtz, 2012). Furthermore...
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...Five Guys: An Honest Business Built on Simplicity Reyna Haynes-Smith Professor Barry Adkins Contemporary Business BUS 508 October 19, 2012 Food. It’s a major topic of discussion today. What’s healthy, what’s not. What’s filling, what’s worth the money. There are many factors that contribute to the reason consumers choose one business over another. Most choose fast food options because they don’t have the time for a sit down meal. Time is short and many want a meal that is filling but also want something healthy. Enter Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Five Guys was founded in 1986 by Jerry and Janie Murrell in Washington DC. They wanted to give their sons the opportunity to either build a business or go to college. The business route won and the family opened a carry out burger joint in Alexandria, VA. Their premise was to concentrate on the quality of their product and the satisfaction of their customer. From that a simple yet beneficial business was born. The “Keep it simple” mindset has brought Five Guys tremendous success. “Now, over 20 years after Five Guys first opened, there are over 1,000 locations nationwide and over 1500 units in development. Five Guys continues to receive media attention and has grown a cult-like following around the world”. Five Guys took many years to perfect their business practices. Many of their practices differed from those of other businesses...
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...that the owners of the Five Guys Burgers and Fries have been able to accomplish due to the simple business plan that was put into place prior to opening their restaurant. We will see that the basic human principles about how we should treat others; will also allow a company to become successful. The success that has been possible for this hamburger and fries restaurant could have easily failed against the big name restaurants known for burger and fries, such as, McDonalds, Burger King, Checkers and Sonics. However, the company is has become a great success even through a tough economic recession. In this assignment, topics such as their philosophy sets them apart from other fast food restaurants, the original values of the company, three factors that have contributed to their success and external markets and how ethical and societal practices that they provide for their customers and employees. The Murrell family was a close knit family who supported their two sons who decided not to attend college after their graduation from high school. They had dreams of owning their own family restaurant. Their parents invested the money that they had been saving over the years and allowed them to begin their first business. Although they were not sure if the business would be a success or a failure, they were supportive of their sons ideas and dreams with the hamburger restaurant allowed them the chance to begin the restaurant that many of us know today as, Five Guys Burgers and Fries. The...
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...ENTREPRENURIAL LEADERSHIP The Five Guys Story Jeanne M. Catalano Strayer University Authors Note This paper was prepared for Bus 508 Contemporary Business Taught by Professor Dr. Nayak Passion, creativity, and the desire for the Benjamin ignites the flame in which entrepreneurship grows. One such man, Jerry Murrell gave his kids an option: college or run a business, and thus, Five Guys and a Burger was formed in Arlington, Virginia. (Boone, 2012, p. 78). Like all other small businesses’, Jerry faced obstacles such as competition, supply and demand, and capturing market share all while trying to maintain an ethical and socially responsible business. Jerry has maintained this success by following one simple recipe for success: burger and fries (“Five Reasons,” 2010). This simple concept along with his 5 rules of the business: best salesman is the customer, every position has ownership, know what your good at and stick to it, quality is everything, and employee incentives has catapulted Five Guys into over 16 years of business. (“Five Reasons,” 2010). Since 1986, despite the recession, the beef crisis, and competition, Five Guys have not only sustained their business but have almost doubled in size. Over the years, Jerry has stood by his original value to just sell burgers and fries and execute it well (Joiner, 2012). His philosophies have remained strong and his success can be attributed to three main factors: Product specialization, human resources, and branding...
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...Burgers and Fries? | Successful Leadership and Entrepreneurship of Five Guys Burgers and Fries | | | | 10/28/2012 | Assignment 1: Entrepreneurial Leadership Contemporary Business Abstract This paper will analyze the business Five Guys Burgers and Fries to determine what has made this business and franchises successful. Five Guys operates in the food service industry and is among the top profitable franchises that offers a simple menu of burgers and fries as its main product. Five Guys’ is a family owned business that started in Arlington, VA that over time became one of the most popular places for fast food that did not require any marketing strategy to be a well-known place to eat. Five Guys’ prides itself of being such a simple company offering the best burgers and fries for a low-cost. Also, the business maintains a sense of integrity and ethics that continues to drive the business profits and keeps customers coming back for more of the burgers and fries. History There are plenty of restaurants available for quick choices of food and also price; one company has improved over time with being number one for a simple hamburger and fries combo. This company, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, are well known in the United States as a fast growing company that started from humble beginnings. The Murrell family, which consists of Janie and Jerry and their five (5) sons, help run the business from the beginning in Arlington, VA...
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...Five Guys Burger and Fries: A Simple Recipe for Success Brooke Mosely Dr. Victoria Figiel Contemporary Business BUS508 October 28, 2012 Five Guys Burgers and Fries started in Arlington, Virginia in 1986 by Jerry Murrell and his wife Janie. The business was a way to keep their two eldest sons employed and at home after deciding that college was not in their future. The Murrell’s used the money intended for their college education as capital to start up the take-out burger joint. The company’s name stemmed from the Murrell’s five sons (Five Guys), whom are all a part of the business. Today Five Guys has branched out into over 570 franchises in the United States and Canada (Boone & Kurtz, 2012, p. 78). Their growth since 2002, when they opened their first franchise, has doubled and tripled over the years with revenues reaching an estimated $570 million (Burke, 2012). Inquiring minds are interested in the rapid success of the restaurant and what are the ideologies behind it as well. This paper will reflect on Five Guy’s philosophy as its set apart from others, examine the core values that the company portrays, identify factors that have contributed to their success, and determine the social and ethical standards practiced by the company. Five Guys definitely has a philosophy that’s sets them apart from the average fast-food restaurant. Simply put from Jerry’s own mouth, “Sell a really good, juicy burger on a fresh bun. Make perfect French fries. Don’t cut corners”...
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...Five Guys “The Standard of Excellence” Jalisa Williams Garcia Mills-Tate Strayer University October 28, 2012 Five Guys “The Standard of Excellence” Five Guys Burgers and Fries was started by Janie and Jerry Murrell and there 5 sons. Opening their first store in 1986 in their home town of Arlington, VA, the Murrells were set to take a competitive market by storm (Boone & Kurtz, pg.78). One would think that opening a burger joint with the likes of mega chains (e.g. McDonalds, Burger King), was out right crazy but determined to tap into this common market these classical entrepreneurs using $70,000 (Burke, pg. 95) as a start-up began their venture. Philosophy Jerry Murrell believed in two simple philosophies “Sell a really good, juicy burger on a fresh bun. Make perfect fries. Don’t cut corners” and “Treat that person right, he’ll walk out the door and sell for you”. These mindsets are what have propelled the company into what it is today. Without the customer or their employees Five Guys may not have been able to survive the recent downturn of the economy. Values Five Guys main focus is to provide customers with great service and great food. They believed that by making a quality burger and fries they would make the customer love them so much they would not have to pay for advertising because the customer will advertise for them. Word of mouth advertising is the oldest form of advertising and with the quality of their food this form of advertising has brought...
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...Leadership Determine How Five Guys’ Philosophy Sets it Apart From Other Fast-food Chains Five Guys follows the philosophy of focusing on a few items, and serving them fresh to order. Five Guys is not your typical fast food chain for a number of reasons, one being that they limit their menu. Five Guys serves burgers made to order, which are fresh and never frozen (Boone & Krutz, 2012). Customers can customize their burger with a choice of 17 free toppings such as ketchup, mustard, and jalapeno peppers. The buns are toasted on a grill for better taste, rather than in a bun toaster. The potatoes for the fries are grown in northern Idaho, and are cooked in peanut oil (Boone & Krutz, 2012). Although they may not have a drive-thru, Five Guys offers a sit down restaurant in a warm, clean environment. Analyze the Original Values for the Start-up Company and How it Remains Strong Today Values of a company play a very important part in establishing a business in today's competitive market. The first Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened in Arlington, Virginia in 1986 by the Murrell family (Five Guys’, 2011). The family opened a carry out burger joint in Arlington, Va., that served hand formed burgers and fresh cut fries cooked in pure peanut oil. The Murrell family wanted to provide good food and to keep it simple. The founder of Five Guys believe if you "Treat that person right, he’ll walk out the door and sell for you,"(Five Guys 2011). Since then, Five Guys has received a number...
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...Entrepreneurial Leadership: “Five Guys and Fries” Professor Watts MBAE5302 – Economics and the Free Market December 16, 2014 Euronda S. Jefferson Five Guy’s Philosophy “Anyone can make money in the food business as long as you have a good product, reasonable price, and a clean place” (Pulizzi, 2010) It was this quote from John Willard Marriott that provided the groundwork John Murrell used to build Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Jerry Murrell, Owner of Five Guys Burgers and Fries, has had a love affair with burgers and fries since he can remember – but not just any burger and certainly not just the run of the mill fries. For this reason, Five Guys’ philosophy, and mission sets it apart from other hamburger chains, thereby creating a successful business model. Five Guys’ philosophy sets it apart from other fast-food chains for the following reasons. First of all, Jerry did not have the pressure like others do when planning to start a business. Jerry was not in a fuss to make money, nor have a strong ambition to monopolize the burgers and fries market. Contrary, Jerry’s goal was to send his two sons to college, and not start a burger joint, a business philosophy providing Jerry the leverage to make more meaningful decisions for starting his burger business. Second, to Jerry’s surprise, his sons did not want to go to college, a decision that he supported. The whole family decided and agreed to use the son’s tuition to start a burger...
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...Five Guys Burgers and Fries: Ingredients for Success Contemporary Business 508 July 21, 2012 Five Guys Burgers and Fries: Ingredients for Success By sticking to the basic philosophy of keeping it simple, Jerry Murrell, original owner of Five Guys Burgers and Fries, has grown a small family business to one of the largest and fastest growing franchise in America. “Sell a really good, juicy burger on a fresh bun. Make perfect French fries. Don’t cut corners.” That’s been the business plan since Jerry Murrell and his sons opened their first store location in 1986. (Welch, 2010, p. 76) This philosophy is different from competitors who rely on gimmicks and advertisements to entice customers. It is not unusual for competing fast food chains such as McDonalds, Burger King and Wendy’s to introduce new menu items. The new menu item may establish a permanent presence on the menu or disappear, never to be heard of again, shortly after the introductory period. The life span of the new item, unfortunately, is determined by customer response. These chains cater to our wants, our desires and our convenience. In the words of Burger King – “have it your way”. Most of us have experienced at least one of these chains, if not all, and can attest that the customer experience with food quality, facility and service often varies by location. Then there is Five Guys Burgers and Fries with a philosophy that has not changed since the day it opened. ...
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