Five Guys Certification Study Guide
UPDATED Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
How often is Five Guys' bread baked? - CORRECT ANSWER - Fresh at Five Guys' bakeries
five days per week.
Why are Five Guys' potatoes considered special? - CORRECT ANSWER - They are grown
above the 42nd parallel, which slows growth and creates proper density.
Why does Five Guys avoid prepping tomatoes or lettuce directly into a 1/3 pan? - CORRECT
ANSWER - For food safety and quality reasons; it helps maintain safe temperatures and
quality of the produce.
What is the purpose of using aluminum foil to wrap cheese at Five Guys? - CORRECT
ANSWER - To protect the integrity of the cheese from air, light, heat, and moisture.
Why does Five Guys split hot dogs and spread them lengthwise on the grill? - CORRECT
ANSWER - To allow the inside and outside of the hot dog to cook evenly.
Why does Five Guys use a single produce provider? - CORRECT ANSWER - For food
safety, consistency, and volume pricing benefits.
What does clear juice on a patty indicate? - CORRECT ANSWER - That the patty is cooked
well-done throughout.
What should a grill cook do if they are unsure about the doneness of a patty? - CORRECT
ANSWER - They are permitted to make a small incision into the thickest part of the patty to
check. If it is well-done, the entire group of patties is considered well done.
,Why are fry calibrations important at Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - Fry calibrations
are essential to identify the perfect fry for that shift, as they are affected by variables like the age
of the peanut oil, potato origin, and time of year. They should be done at least twice a day.
Why can't burgers be evened out more than once? - CORRECT ANSWER - Evening out a
burger more than once removes more juice, resulting in a dry burger.
What does the term 'even out' signify in burger preparation? - CORRECT ANSWER -
'Evening out' ensures an evenly cooked patty, while smashing causes splattering and breaking
apart.
Why do we call back 'fries only' orders? - CORRECT ANSWER - To inform the fry person to
sell the ticket as soon as fries are ready and to notify others that the order is being sold out of
order.
What is the purpose of a deployment chart at Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - A
deployment chart provides clear direction for the shift and fosters a sense of ownership and
responsibility within the team.
Why can't bacon be saved for the next day? - CORRECT ANSWER - Bacon stored overnight
becomes rubbery and loses flavor; it must be prepared fresh daily for quality.
What is the purpose of serving peanuts at Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - Peanuts
satisfy immediate hunger for customers while they wait for their food and enhance the overall
experience.
What does it mean for the 'QC' to have their 'head on a swivel'? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
QC must be attentive to ensure food quality, timing, and customer experience are optimal.
What is the goal of the Secret Shopper program at Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - To
create a sense of ownership among employees and reward them for taking ownership of
restaurant operations.
, Why does Five Guys break the cycle on the milkshake machine once a week? - CORRECT
ANSWER - To ensure quality and food safety by discarding daily product and fully sanitizing
the machine.
What is the danger zone in food safety? - CORRECT ANSWER - The danger zone is when
cold food must be kept above 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) to prevent bacteria
growth.
Why do gloves need to be changed between raw patties and hot dogs? - CORRECT
ANSWER - To prevent cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods.
Why does Five Guys take temperatures every two hours? - CORRECT ANSWER - To ensure
food is maintained in a safe environment and to provide corrective actions if items are outside
the safe temperature zone.
When did the first Five Guys location open? - CORRECT ANSWER - 1986 in Arlington, VA.
What oil does Five Guys use for cooking? - CORRECT ANSWER - Peanut oil.
What is unique about the storage of food at Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - There are
no freezers, only coolers; nothing is ever frozen.
What is the source of the potatoes used at Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - Potatoes
grown above the 42nd parallel.
Who are the Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - Jim, Matt, Chad, Ben, and Tyler.
How should potatoes be stacked in Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - In 'Lincoln log'
style, 5 high against a wall or window, and 4 high when free-standing.
UPDATED Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
How often is Five Guys' bread baked? - CORRECT ANSWER - Fresh at Five Guys' bakeries
five days per week.
Why are Five Guys' potatoes considered special? - CORRECT ANSWER - They are grown
above the 42nd parallel, which slows growth and creates proper density.
Why does Five Guys avoid prepping tomatoes or lettuce directly into a 1/3 pan? - CORRECT
ANSWER - For food safety and quality reasons; it helps maintain safe temperatures and
quality of the produce.
What is the purpose of using aluminum foil to wrap cheese at Five Guys? - CORRECT
ANSWER - To protect the integrity of the cheese from air, light, heat, and moisture.
Why does Five Guys split hot dogs and spread them lengthwise on the grill? - CORRECT
ANSWER - To allow the inside and outside of the hot dog to cook evenly.
Why does Five Guys use a single produce provider? - CORRECT ANSWER - For food
safety, consistency, and volume pricing benefits.
What does clear juice on a patty indicate? - CORRECT ANSWER - That the patty is cooked
well-done throughout.
What should a grill cook do if they are unsure about the doneness of a patty? - CORRECT
ANSWER - They are permitted to make a small incision into the thickest part of the patty to
check. If it is well-done, the entire group of patties is considered well done.
,Why are fry calibrations important at Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - Fry calibrations
are essential to identify the perfect fry for that shift, as they are affected by variables like the age
of the peanut oil, potato origin, and time of year. They should be done at least twice a day.
Why can't burgers be evened out more than once? - CORRECT ANSWER - Evening out a
burger more than once removes more juice, resulting in a dry burger.
What does the term 'even out' signify in burger preparation? - CORRECT ANSWER -
'Evening out' ensures an evenly cooked patty, while smashing causes splattering and breaking
apart.
Why do we call back 'fries only' orders? - CORRECT ANSWER - To inform the fry person to
sell the ticket as soon as fries are ready and to notify others that the order is being sold out of
order.
What is the purpose of a deployment chart at Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - A
deployment chart provides clear direction for the shift and fosters a sense of ownership and
responsibility within the team.
Why can't bacon be saved for the next day? - CORRECT ANSWER - Bacon stored overnight
becomes rubbery and loses flavor; it must be prepared fresh daily for quality.
What is the purpose of serving peanuts at Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - Peanuts
satisfy immediate hunger for customers while they wait for their food and enhance the overall
experience.
What does it mean for the 'QC' to have their 'head on a swivel'? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
QC must be attentive to ensure food quality, timing, and customer experience are optimal.
What is the goal of the Secret Shopper program at Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - To
create a sense of ownership among employees and reward them for taking ownership of
restaurant operations.
, Why does Five Guys break the cycle on the milkshake machine once a week? - CORRECT
ANSWER - To ensure quality and food safety by discarding daily product and fully sanitizing
the machine.
What is the danger zone in food safety? - CORRECT ANSWER - The danger zone is when
cold food must be kept above 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) to prevent bacteria
growth.
Why do gloves need to be changed between raw patties and hot dogs? - CORRECT
ANSWER - To prevent cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods.
Why does Five Guys take temperatures every two hours? - CORRECT ANSWER - To ensure
food is maintained in a safe environment and to provide corrective actions if items are outside
the safe temperature zone.
When did the first Five Guys location open? - CORRECT ANSWER - 1986 in Arlington, VA.
What oil does Five Guys use for cooking? - CORRECT ANSWER - Peanut oil.
What is unique about the storage of food at Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - There are
no freezers, only coolers; nothing is ever frozen.
What is the source of the potatoes used at Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - Potatoes
grown above the 42nd parallel.
Who are the Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - Jim, Matt, Chad, Ben, and Tyler.
How should potatoes be stacked in Five Guys? - CORRECT ANSWER - In 'Lincoln log'
style, 5 high against a wall or window, and 4 high when free-standing.
