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Bus 508 Five Guys

In: Business and Management

Submitted By kei1030
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Entrepreneurial Leadership

What once began as a little family burger business in Northern Virginia in 1986 by Jerry and Janie Murrell and their and their five sons has grown into one of the world’s popular franchises. The decision to start the business was based on the ultimatum given to the four sons by their parents ‘start a business or go to college.” Their growth since opening has grown tremendously to where the family never expected it to grow, between the year they opened and 2002 which was the year they began franchising the family opened six locations all in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Many have wondered how has a mom and pop organization become so successful in such a short amount of time? What’s the magical secret?

Other fast food chains have been around for years and have not risen to success in the short amount of time it took Five Guys to get where they are today. The difference between Five Guys and some of its competitors is the promise to only serve fresh food, nothing is ever frozen. What gives Five Guys the leg up from others in the industry is they do not have to keep remaking themselves, they keep it simple by having the same menu today that they had in 1986 (Kulikowski, 2011). According to Jerry Murrell, the family stuck to their guns and decided to never stray from their original plan, which was to only offer burger and fries, fresh ingredients – never frozen, never have a delivery service, and focus on what’s in front of them which are the customers. Murell’s philosophy is the best salesperson is the customer standing right in front of them, if they are treated right they will go and tell others about their experience (Melnick, 2011). Other burger chains are known for constantly changing their menus, adding new things, making changes to the basics they began with; not Five Guys they remain true to how they first began in 1986.

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