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Five Guys shop requirement

April 07, 2017 09:26PM
Hello

I've never done one of these although there are plenty in my area.

The MSC's site does not show guidelines. Can anyone tell me what the required order is for a non-milkshake shop? Also, I've done "Fast casual" shops that involve eating and commenting on the food and others that are about timing and service and don't even mention the food. Is eating and commenting on the meal a requirement for this shop? (I'm trying to determine if I can bring the food home for family members or if i need to complete the meal while at the location.)

Many thanks!
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More About Five Guys Mystery Shopping
April 07, 2017 09:35PM
You need to stay at least 15 minutes and should take a bite of the food and have some fries. If it's a standalone store, you'll have to check out the bathroom. You'll also need to obseve the cooking process. There's a little bit more but its fairly simple. I've done many of these and am doing one this weekend. Where are you doing this ?

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2017 09:36PM by 7star.
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April 07, 2017 09:46PM
In addition to what 7star said, for the cooking process you have to observe how many times the patty was pressed and if the fries were shaken at least x times. You observe the friendliness of the employees as well.

The report is a lot of checkboxes and very little narrative. You have to upload your receipt as POV. Pictures are not required.

I've done one or two a month since December.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/09/2017 09:46PM by HonnyBrown.
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April 07, 2017 09:50PM
Thanks everyone! 7Star, these are in the Boston area.
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April 08, 2017 02:40AM
There are three scenarios, dine in requires staying there to eat. You can eat as little as you want. If the reimbursement is $17, a milkshake purchase is required. There is also a phone shop and a web/app shop.

All require an entree, fries and a drink. If a milkshake is required, then that is in addition to the three items.

The report is simple but requires timings and food evaluation plus a bathroom check.

I suggest printing out the guidelines the first time attempting each scenario. The web/app scenario has some unique requirements if you have trouble ordering.

My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.

When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
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April 08, 2017 03:07AM
Thanks again. Does the entree have to be a burger or can it be any "entree" (hot dog, BLT, veg sandwich, etc)?
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April 08, 2017 03:12AM
I'm not seeing these in My area anymore. Really a bummer! I like Five Guys, but they are expensive in my opinion, so the shops are great.
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April 08, 2017 03:50AM
The dine in guidelines for me say you can order whatever type/size of burger or sandwich or hot dog you'd like and with your choice of toppings. Once you accept the shop, you're guidelines will tell you. It's 11 pages but it explains the 5 guys cooking processes and what to look for. If you like the assignment you should be able to shop the same location every few weeks.
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April 08, 2017 04:01AM
My area is scarce for shoppers, THANKFULLY, so I've been picking up one just about every week lately. I rarely eat the fries, and I can always get water to drink, but I enjoy the burgers with everything on them. Pretty good pick me up for long days.

MegglesKat
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April 08, 2017 11:39AM
@MountainCacher88 wrote:

My area is scarce for shoppers, THANKFULLY, so I've been picking up one just about every week lately. I rarely eat the fries, and I can always get water to drink, but I enjoy the burgers with everything on them. Pretty good pick me up for long days.
Just make sure it's not bottled water...I made that mistake once and got my shop denied. Directions state you have pay for a fountain drink.
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April 08, 2017 11:52AM
There is one timing only. Most questions are on the food quality, service and cleanliness.
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April 08, 2017 05:28PM
I've done 5 guys shops a few times now. I actually have one scheduled for tomorrow. The only think I don't like, is the reimbursement is not enough. For the bare minimum of what I am required to order, the reimbursement fee does not cover what I spend. The shops are fairly easy which is why I continue to accept them.
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April 09, 2017 02:12AM
I've found that the reimbursement I get is enough if I order a little burger and a little fries. I don't know if reimbursement prices vary by area, but you could try that next time. That's more than enough food for me.
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April 09, 2017 02:19AM
MountainCacher88, you get get club soda as the required beverage from the soda dispenser. I don't drink soda either and this way the required beverage is at least consumable. And try a little mustard on your burgers!! Was reminded to do this after watching the McDonald's based film, "The Founder."

Overall it's a fairly easy shop...a million of them are posted in the NYC tri state area.
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April 09, 2017 02:54PM
I always order a small drink. Sometimes I actually get a small and the cost is under the reimbursement amount. Usually, they give me a regular (since that's the smallest size on the menu) then the total cost is a little more than what's covered.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/09/2017 02:55PM by wwin.
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April 09, 2017 07:36PM
I hadn't done a Five Guys in awhile but did one yesterday. I ordered "Little" sized fries. I was surprised when it asked me approximately how many fries I received in addition to the cup. Is this something new?
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April 09, 2017 07:40PM
@Arch Stanton wrote:

MountainCacher88, you get get club soda as the required beverage from the soda dispenser. I don't drink soda either and this way the required beverage is at least consumable. And try a little mustard on your burgers!! Was reminded to do this after watching the McDonald's based film, "The Founder."

Overall it's a fairly easy shop...a million of them are posted in the NYC tri state area.
I haven't seen this movie. Why mustard?!?
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April 09, 2017 09:00PM
It's been there this year at least and I've done many 5 guys. I usually say I have at least XX extra fries on top of the burger.
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April 09, 2017 09:50PM
If you get a little cheeseburger, little fries and a regular drink, the reimbursement will cover it.

When I get a bonus, I get bacon.

@cassalayne12 wrote:

I've done 5 guys shops a few times now. I actually have one scheduled for tomorrow. The only think I don't like, is the reimbursement is not enough. For the bare minimum of what I am required to order, the reimbursement fee does not cover what I spend. The shops are fairly easy which is why I continue to accept them.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
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April 09, 2017 11:58PM
As long as you order and pay for a fountain cup, it doesn't actually matter if you actually drink anything. Most locations have unsweetened tea, or just use the water tab on the fountain machine. Again, you do not have to drink anything. It allows you to at least check if they have ice, things are properly stocked, and for most people drink something.

@Arch Stanton wrote:

MountainCacher88, you get get club soda as the required beverage from the soda dispenser. I don't drink soda either and this way the required beverage is at least consumable. And try a little mustard on your burgers!! Was reminded to do this after watching the McDonald's based film, "The Founder."

Overall it's a fairly easy shop...a million of them are posted in the NYC tri state area.

My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.

When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
Reply
April 10, 2017 03:50AM
@DareWright wrote:

I hadn't done a Five Guys in awhile but did one yesterday. I ordered "Little" sized fries. I was surprised when it asked me approximately how many fries I received in addition to the cup. Is this something new?
I've seen this question ever since I started shopping Five Guys - about 1.5 years.
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April 11, 2017 08:18PM
@DareWright wrote:

I hadn't done a Five Guys in awhile but did one yesterday. I ordered "Little" sized fries. I was surprised when it asked me approximately how many fries I received in addition to the cup. Is this something new?

That's actually a flag for people who mark that the quantity of fries did not meet expectations. If you mark that, then you will have to write a short narrative regarding whether you received an extra half scoop of fries. If you marked the the quantity of fries met expectations, you do not have to answer the "did you receive an extra half-scoop" question.
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April 11, 2017 09:00PM
@christinereed wrote:

@DareWright wrote:

I hadn't done a Five Guys in awhile but did one yesterday. I ordered "Little" sized fries. I was surprised when it asked me approximately how many fries I received in addition to the cup. Is this something new?

That's actually a flag for people who mark that the quantity of fries did not meet expectations. If you mark that, then you will have to write a short narrative regarding whether you received an extra half scoop of fries. If you marked the the quantity of fries met expectations, you do not have to answer the "did you receive an extra half-scoop" question.

I am always asked this for Little size, regardless if fries were Excellent or quantity met expectations.
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April 11, 2017 11:15PM
I got a $75 fee to do one last month with about seven days left in the month. It is still on the board for this month, so I am hoping to get that fee again. The food was excellent.
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April 12, 2017 12:14AM
Mustard on a burger is good !!! try it !! "The Founder" is an excellent film about the beginnings of McDonald's.
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April 12, 2017 12:47AM
@foodluvr wrote:

@christinereed wrote:

@DareWright wrote:

I hadn't done a Five Guys in awhile but did one yesterday. I ordered "Little" sized fries. I was surprised when it asked me approximately how many fries I received in addition to the cup. Is this something new?

That's actually a flag for people who mark that the quantity of fries did not meet expectations. If you mark that, then you will have to write a short narrative regarding whether you received an extra half scoop of fries. If you marked the the quantity of fries met expectations, you do not have to answer the "did you receive an extra half-scoop" question.

I am always asked this for Little size, regardless if fries were Excellent or quantity met expectations.

Correct, you have to write a short description of the extra fries regardless.

My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.

When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
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April 12, 2017 01:46AM
Agreed
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April 12, 2017 04:31AM
Pretty easy shops. I find it tiresome to meet the minimum character requirements on a few of the very few narrative questions when nothing was wrong. It's not hard to meet the minimum character, just tiresome.
Main things have already have already been mentioned by others. check to see how many fries you get before you eat them. Check your bag at the counter, or near it. and make sure everything is right before you eat.
Some things to watch for along with some things already mentioned:: Amount of time to get food; proper fry prep and shake; proper burger station to station and press; employee attire, aprons and gloves. And other normal cleanliness items, etc.
Remember no name tags, so be sure you get a good mental image of employees. (determining people's height is always tough for me).
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April 12, 2017 11:31AM
@texthinker wrote:

Remember no name tags, so be sure you get a good mental image of employees. (determining people's height is always tough for me).

They only ask for a description of the cashier, otherwise just need to identify shirt colors and types to determine who is in charge.

My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.

When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
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April 12, 2017 01:47PM
@isaiah58 wrote:

@texthinker wrote:

Remember no name tags, so be sure you get a good mental image of employees. (determining people's height is always tough for me).

They only ask for a description of the cashier, otherwise just need to identify shirt colors and types to determine who is in charge.
You'll also need to describe any associates who are not wearing gloves properly or other infractions.
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