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Five Guys

September 18, 2017 03:49AM
Can I just say that the more I mystery shop casual dining places, the more I appreciate how fastidious Five Guys is with their glove removal and changing? In all the time I've shopped Five Guys, I have only once seen a crew member do something that might cross contaminate food.

But at other places, my beloved Shake Shack included, there clearly aren't the same kitchen standards. Almost anywhere, I can watch a cashier work the register with gloves, go empty the garbage with the same gloves, not remove them when done, then touch food bags or trays. I'm not even that hung up on it, because I'm very "what doesn't kill me...", but I really appreciate not having to worry about it at all at Five Guys.
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More About Five Guys Mystery Shopping
September 18, 2017 06:03PM
Yes those shops made me really like FIVE GUYS burgers! I also like that they have a standard for their boardwalk fries. "Firm on the outside, mash on the inside."
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September 18, 2017 08:09PM
They are usually great with their gloves. I can say i have only seen a few nstances where the glove use wasn't quite up to standards. In one of them the employee was refilling the ketchup bottle they use on the cooking line with the ketchup dispenser that customers use. The employee had gloves on and didn't change them. Mickey d's is usually good with the gloves too.
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September 19, 2017 05:04AM
They are good with gloves. But let's not "Bury the Lead" as to how FRAKING EXPENSIVE they are. You can get 2 Double-Double combos for the price of 1 of the same at 5G. I rarely go anymore because it is impossible to stay under the reimbursement limit if you get a burger.
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September 19, 2017 11:54AM
Yeah I would never go there if it wasn"t for MSing. Too expensive for my taste.
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September 19, 2017 08:28PM
I totally agree they are expensive. But their menu is somewhat healthier than their competitors. Burgers are never frozen, buns have basically 5 ingredients and fries cooked in peanut oil. Sure McDonalds is cheaper, especially the value menu where a cheeseburger is sometimes a buck or buck fortynine but they have so many more chemicals and additives. Plus many 5guys offer the free peanuts. Also 5guys offers many more topings for free for the price of a little burger. 5guys also gives much more fries than mickey d's. I'm not advocating 5guys but merely mentioning some differences.
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September 19, 2017 08:38PM
Good points. I remember reading somewhere that FG fries are actually the most unhealthy compared to other fast food joints. I guess none would be considered health food!

Healthy or not, expensive or not, if they keep the bonuses coming,I will keep shopping them.
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September 19, 2017 08:59PM
I thought their fries were healthier than others. To me they taste fresher but we all have different tastes. At least with these shops, we all make some money for a fairly easy report.
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September 21, 2017 06:51PM
I get the hot dog to stay under the reimbursement. I like that they have the gloves in 4 sizes, because it is hard to work when you are wearing XL gloves on your small hands.
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September 21, 2017 07:50PM
@jgoodwin wrote:

Good points. I remember reading somewhere that FG fries are actually the most unhealthy compared to other fast food joints. I guess none would be considered health food!

Healthy or not, expensive or not, if they keep the bonuses coming,I will keep shopping them.

Makes sense why they may be ranked as one of the unhealthiest. Consider the quantity of fries they provide per serving... The calories add up and add on just a regular cheeseburger, you're talking about easily a 1,500 calorie meal without even considering the fountain drink...

Very infrequently shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado these days.
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September 21, 2017 11:49PM
Found the articles I read earlier...sure wish I didn't read these before I head out to do a shop!!

[content.time.com]

[www.eatthis.com]
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September 22, 2017 01:32AM
grilled cheese + extra tomatoes + jalapenos + little cajun fries (wayyyyy too salty but i taste a few and throw the rest) + small fountain drink cup (i get the unsweetened ice tea) = below the reimbursement and not as unhealthy.
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September 22, 2017 01:38AM
I don't worry about calories when I am taking a 5 Guys shop. Bring on the mayo and bacon, baby. I don't like their fries that much and usually only eat a few (the crispiest ones). I only do these shops maybe 6 times a year and it's always about the bonus (won't do one for less than a $20 shop fee) so...
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September 22, 2017 01:50AM
JASFLALMT - Atta girl ! Go for the bacon and mayo. I don't count calories either. I do a few each month and can wolf down the meal. It doesn't add weight to me. As i mentioned earlier, it's actually a good deal to get a filling meal AND make decent money.
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September 22, 2017 02:41AM
I went to the 5guys website and it says the Little Fries has 23g total fat and 4 grams saturated fat, with 0.5g trans fat. I avoid trans fat but these stats aren't bad at all. It's all in moderation.
This won't keep me away from them.

@jgoodwin wrote:


Found the articles I read earlier...sure wish I didn't read these before I head out to do a shop!!

[content.time.com]

[www.eatthis.com]
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September 22, 2017 02:47AM
Yeah, I think one of the articles mentioned 71g in the fries but they weren't talking the little fries. I can't even imagine who can eat a regular or large fry unless that's all they were eating!!!!
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September 22, 2017 04:01AM
I just did a delivery shop for them and it surprised me that the online prices was at least a dollar cheaper! Too bad they actually gave me a huge reimbursement amount.
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September 22, 2017 05:41AM
@JASFLALMT wrote:

Yeah, I think one of the articles mentioned 71g in the fries but they weren't talking the little fries. I can't even imagine who can eat a regular or large fry unless that's all they were eating!!!!

Yeah...the little fries at 227g are almost twice what you get at In-N-Out (125g), but the little fries alone are over 500 calories. That's crazy! You can't put them in the more healthy category when they only service unhealthy portion sizes IMHO....and there's zero trans fat in the IN-N-Out fries.

I'm limiting myself to 1 burger shop a month these days and I'll take The Habit because you don't have to order fries or soda.
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September 22, 2017 06:02AM
@SteveSoCal wrote:

I'm limiting myself to 1 burger shop a month these days and I'll take The Habit because you don't have to order fries or soda.

Your new diet is a serious buzz kill. Just sayin'. <3
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September 22, 2017 02:37PM
@JASFLALMT wrote:

I don't worry about calories when I am taking a 5 Guys shop. Bring on the mayo and bacon, baby. I don't like their fries that much and usually only eat a few (the crispiest ones). I only do these shops maybe 6 times a year and it's always about the bonus (won't do one for less than a $20 shop fee) so...

$20 shop fee, I have to ask, what MSC pays that, the one I do that has 5G's I'm lucky to it for $10.
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September 22, 2017 02:45PM
AFAIK, only one MSC has the client. Shoppers negotiate for higher fees based on the difficulty filling the location.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
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September 22, 2017 02:52PM
I avoid all food shops unless they are bonused. I shop for money, not food. That being said , it's nice when once in awhile they call and offer me good money to do that shop. I enjoy the burger and eat 5-6 fries and toss the rest. I really like the fries but that's my limit. Then I refill my unsweetened iced tea before leaving.
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September 22, 2017 03:07PM
@SteveSoCal wrote:

@JASFLALMT wrote:

Yeah, I think one of the articles mentioned 71g in the fries but they weren't talking the little fries. I can't even imagine who can eat a regular or large fry unless that's all they were eating!!!!

Yeah...the little fries at 227g are almost twice what you get at In-N-Out (125g), but the little fries alone are over 500 calories. That's crazy! You can't put them in the more healthy category when they only service unhealthy portion sizes IMHO....and there's zero trans fat in the IN-N-Out fries.

I'm limiting myself to 1 burger shop a month these days and I'll take The Habit because you don't have to order fries or soda.

I was talking about fat grams.
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September 22, 2017 03:10PM
@mastermk wrote:

@JASFLALMT wrote:

I don't worry about calories when I am taking a 5 Guys shop. Bring on the mayo and bacon, baby. I don't like their fries that much and usually only eat a few (the crispiest ones). I only do these shops maybe 6 times a year and it's always about the bonus (won't do one for less than a $20 shop fee) so...

$20 shop fee, I have to ask, what MSC pays that, the one I do that has 5G's I'm lucky to it for $10.

It's bonused shops. I don't do them at base pay ($6 I think). Sometimes people flake at last minute or they couldn't fill all the locations (there are 4 locations within a 20 mile radius of me). They call me and then the negotiations begin. But, that's why I am only doing about 6 shops a year or less.
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September 22, 2017 03:59PM
@SteveSoCal wrote:

@JASFLALMT wrote:

Yeah, I think one of the articles mentioned 71g in the fries but they weren't talking the little fries. I can't even imagine who can eat a regular or large fry unless that's all they were eating!!!!

Yeah...the little fries at 227g are almost twice what you get at In-N-Out (125g), but the little fries alone are over 500 calories. That's crazy! You can't put them in the more healthy category when they only service unhealthy portion sizes IMHO....and there's zero trans fat in the IN-N-Out fries.

I'm limiting myself to 1 burger shop a month these days and I'll take The Habit because you don't have to order fries or soda.

That's what makes Five Guys fries a great value. An order of little fries (or large fries when I get that AMEX $5 of $20 coupon) goes a long ways to share with the entire family as leftovers.

Why should restaurants be responsible in control the portion size appropriate for their customers? That's like blaming the restaurants for getting them fat and overweight.

Very infrequently shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado these days.
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September 23, 2017 04:10PM
@Tarantado wrote:

Why should restaurants be responsible in control the portion size appropriate for their customers? That's like blaming the restaurants for getting them fat and overweight.

Well...I'm of the believe that the corporate restaurant structure in America is partly to blame for the obesity epidemic, so I guess, yeah, I blame them. They specifically market unhealthy food to the customer base. They serve portion sizes that no doctor would deem appropriate in terms of fat and calorie intake. Where's the option for fries that offer a reasonable portion size? It's the same as calling a 12 oz soda a small....

If the fries came with a skull & crossbones on them like a pack of cigarettes does, I guess the blame would fall 100% on the consumer.
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September 23, 2017 04:24PM
Leftover fries are terrible. I even tried putting them in the toaster oven to reheat. No good. I eat maybe a dozen of them? I get a single patty with bacon and can eat most of it, then I'm full. I throw the rest of the food away.
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September 23, 2017 05:19PM
re; leftovers....I don't believe the restaurant intends the extra fries to be used as leftovers either.

If a bar only served giant martinis that would leave anyone who consumed one unfit to legally drive, don't you think that would get some pushback from the community?

Many people feel guilt about leaving unused food and drink that was served to them. Expecting consumers to simply consume only a healthy portion of what was served when there's no easy way to distinguish that is unethical IMHO.
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September 23, 2017 05:20PM
@SoCalMama wrote:

Your new diet is a serious buzz kill. Just sayin'. <3

You won't say that when you see the results....
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September 25, 2017 03:08PM
Wish we had one here.

When I had Five Guys a couple of months.ago, I got the spicy fries and they wee very very very s picy for me.
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