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Five Guys founder discusses company's focus on freshness

April 11, 2010

Three days before we opened, I was still working as a trader in stocks and bonds and was in a hotel for a meeting inPittsburgh. I found a book in the nightstand, next to the Bible, aboutJW Marriott-- he had an A&W stand that he converted and built into the Hot Shoppes chain. He said, Anyone can make money in the food business as long as you have a good product, reasonable price, and a clean place. That made sense to me.

 

We figure our best salesman is our customer. Treat that person right, he'll walk out the door and sell for you. From the beginning, I wanted people to know that we put all our money into the food. That's why the décor is so simple -- red and white tiles. We don't spend our money on décor. Or on guys in chicken suits. But we'll go overboard on food.