As burger chains go, Five Guys stands out from the herd. Since Jerry and Janie Murrell opened the first restaurant in 1986, the chain has earned a reputation for simple, perfectly cooked burgers made from quality ingredients. Ask any Five Guys devotee what makes their burger so addictive, and the fresh beef is always top of the list.
But what exactly is behind that tasty patty? Where does Five Guys get the beef that built its empire one greasy burger at a time? Let’s follow the trail to find out!
Why It Matters Where a Burger Joint Sources Their Beef
Before we embark on our beefy investigation, let’s look at why it matters where chains like Five Guys get their beef from. Here are some of the key reasons:
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Food safety – Knowing the beef supply chain helps ensure quality control and proper handling every step of the way Safe beef starts on the farm
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Sustainability – Understanding a supplier’s practices shows if they responsibly raise cattle and manage land. This includes things like water use, waste, and emissions.
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Animal welfare – You can only guarantee humane treatment of livestock if you trace it back to the source. Ethical sourcing means a lot to consumers.
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Taste – Where and how cattle are raised directly impacts the final flavor and texture. Grass-fed vs feedlot beef tastes quite different!
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Cost control – Locking in an affordable supplier allows burger chains to control costs and keep prices reasonable for customers.
Okay, let’s slap on our detective hats and follow the Five Guys beef trail!
Five Guys’ Beef Backstory
In the early days, the Murrell family would grind fresh beef daily in their Virginia store using top round and sirloin cuts. As the franchise expanded, they switched to sourcing beef from the Midwest but kept quality high.
Today, Five Guys has over 1,500 locations across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. That’s a lot of beef! Supplying those stores requires a complex beef procurement operation.
So where does all that burger meat come from? Let’s dig in…
The Beef Suppliers: Tyson Foods & Others
To satisfy their beef needs, Five Guys utilizes different suppliers depending on the region:
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USA – Tyson Foods is their biggest supplier, providing never-frozen patties to over 1,200 locations. But they also source from Porticos and others.
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Canada – Saputo Inc supplies their Canadian restaurants with fresh, hormone-free beef.
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UK/Europe – ABP Food Group in Ireland meets demand across the UK and Europe. Their beef is free-range and grass-fed for part of the cows’ lives.
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Middle East – Australia’s Bindaree Beef provides halal-certified beef for their stores in the UAE and elsewhere in the region.
This multi-supplier strategy allows Five Guys to secure enough beef to keep up with their wild growth while maintaining oversight of each provider.
Supplier Requirements & Standards
Five Guys asks a lot of their beef providers. All suppliers must:
- Source cattle raised without antibiotics or added hormones
- Meet food safety requirements for processing facilities
- Pass frequent audits and quality checks by Five Guys
- Custom-grind premium cuts like chuck and brisket into patties
- Never freeze beef to preserve freshness
By rigorously vetting suppliers, Five Guys can stand by the quality of their burgers, even as an international fast food chain. The patty remains the heart and soul of their no-fuss burger recipe.
Why Fresh Never-Frozen Beef?
You may be wondering why Five Guys insists on using only fresh, never-frozen patties. Here are some of the benefits this brings:
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Maximizes juiciness – No freezing means less water is lost from the meat. The result? Tender, succulent patties.
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Preserves texture – Flash freezing can damage muscle fibers, making meat mushy. Avoiding this keeps texture intact.
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Boosts flavor – Fresh beef has a richer, meatier, more iron-y taste vs frozen patties.
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Controls inventory – Since stores go through beef quickly, not freezing it lets them maintain optimal stock levels.
So for peak beefy flavor and texture, Five Guys opts to keep their supply chain simple, with beef going straight from the supplier to their grills.
Behind the Scenes: Grinding & Hand-Patties
Once beef is delivered to individual Five Guys locations, here’s what happens behind the scenes:
- Meat is ground daily on-site into fresh balls of beef
- Those beef balls are then hand-pressed into patties and cooked to order
- Exact patty sizes depend on location, from 1/4 lb up to nearly 1/2 lb
- Potatoes are hand-cut every morning too, so fries are always fresh
This simple process allows Five Guys to serve up made-to-order burgers with sensational freshness and quality.
Quality Control & Testing Measures
To maintain standards, Five Guys implements strict quality control protocols:
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Suppliers must test for microbial and chemical hazards
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Beef is visually inspected for color, smell and texture
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Cooked patties are monitored for proper doneness
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Grills are kept spotlessly clean to prevent cross-contamination
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Internal and 3rd party audits take place regularly
Rigorous testing at every step minimizes risks and upholds the integrity of their unfussy burgers.
Why Customers Keep Craving Those Burgers
After peeking behind the scenes, it’s clear why devotees of Five Guys can’t get enough of those satisfying burgers. Here are some of the highlights that keep customers coming back:
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Simple recipe – Just beef, buns, and toppings without fancy additions or pretense.
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Premium beef – High-quality, never-frozen patties made from flavorful cuts.
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Cook to order – Burgers and fries are prepared when you order, guaranteeing freshness.
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Customizable – Add as many free toppings as you want for a truly personal burger.
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Secret menu – Order unique burgers like the Monster Style or Veggie sandwich.
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Free peanuts – Part of the Five Guys tradition, you can munch all the peanuts you want while you wait.
With focus and care put into every step of the process, it’s no wonder the humble Five Guys burger inspires such loyalty among fans.
The Bottom Line
So there you have it — the inside scoop on where Five Guys gets their crazy delicious beef! We traced the supply chain from cattle ranch to burger joint, while learning why freshness and quality matter so much.
The next time you get a Five Guys burger craving, you can appreciate the simple deliciousness that much more, knowing the care put into sourcing and cooking that patty to perfection. So grab some free peanuts and feast on a hot juicy burger or two, made with integrity from start to finish!