How Much Does a Five Guys Franchise Owner Make?
Five Guys franchise owners earn between $130K–$200K annually — net income after all fees, labor, COGS, and occupancy. This SharpSheets analysis focuses on owner-operator take-home.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Est. Annual Owner Income | $100K–$250K |
| Royalty + Marketing Fees | 6%+1% |
| Initial Investment | $306K–$966K |
| Est. Payback Period | 3–6 years |
| SharpSheets Rating | 7.2/10 |
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Last Updated: July 2026 | SharpSheets Editorial Analysis
Quick context: Five Guys has AUV of $1.536M and initial investment of the disclosed range. For the complete FDD breakdown, see FranchisePayback.com → Five Guys FDD Review.
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How Much Does a Five Guys Franchise Owner Make?
Five Guys franchise owners earn approximately $130K–$200K annually at the owner-operator level. Estimate based on AUV of $1.536M with industry-benchmarked operating cost assumptions applied.
Range reflects variance between operators. Hands-on owner-operators sit at the higher end; semi-absentee operators with hired management sit lower per location due to overhead.
How SharpSheets Calculates Five Guys Owner Income
Bottom-up methodology: AUV ($1.536M) minus total fee load, minus operating costs (labor 30–35%, COGS 28–35%, occupancy 8–12%, overhead 5–8%) = $130K–$200K estimated annual net income to the owner — not gross revenue.
Break-Even and Payback Period
At $130K–$200K annual income on the disclosed range, the estimated payback period is 5–8 years. Owner-operated locations in strong markets compress this timeline significantly.
How to Fund a Five Guys Franchise
Most Five Guys franchisees finance through SBA 7(a) loans covering 80-90% of the $306K–$966K investment, with ROBS or personal savings for the down payment. At $100K–$250K annual income, SBA debt service is typically manageable within 12-18 months.
- How to Fund a Franchise: All Financing Options →
- SBA Loans for Franchises: Complete Guide →
- ROBS: Using Retirement Funds to Buy a Franchise →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Five Guys franchise owner make?
Five Guys franchise owners earn approximately $130K–$200K annually at owner-operator levels based on AUV of $1.536M and benchmarked operating cost assumptions.
What is the payback period for a Five Guys franchise?
Estimated 5–8 years based on the disclosed range investment and $130K–$200K annual net income.
Where is the full Five Guys FDD data?
Full FDD data — investment tables, Item 19 disclosures, royalty schedules — at FranchisePayback.com → Five Guys FDD Review. SharpSheets handles income analysis; FranchisePayback handles disclosure research.
Bottom Line
Five Guys franchise owners earn $130K–$200K annually on the disclosed range. Full FDD: FranchisePayback.com → Five Guys FDD Review.
Related:
Compare across the full QSR & fast food category: QSR & Fast Food Franchise Owner Income →
How does Five Guys owner income compare to similar franchises?
Five Guys franchise owner income is above QSR average. See the full category comparison at the franchise owner income hub →
What financing options are available for a Five Guys franchise?
Most Five Guys franchisees use SBA 7(a) loans for the $306K–$966K investment with ROBS or savings for the 10-20% down payment. See the full franchise funding guide →
— SharpSheets Editorial Team | sharpsheets.io | Last Updated: July 2026