Can You Buy a Five Guys Franchise in the UK?

By UKFO Editorial · 28 August 2026

Five Guys has become a hugely popular burger chain worldwide, known for its fresh ingredients and customizable menu. Many entrepreneurs wonder if they can own a piece of this success by opening a franchise in the UK.

The Straight Answer: Unpacking the Five Guys UK Franchise Model

It’s one of the most common questions we receive from aspiring food and beverage entrepreneurs: can you buy a Five Guys franchise in the UK? The brand’s meteoric rise, cult-like following, and unwavering commitment to quality make it an incredibly attractive proposition. The sight of queues outside its distinct red-and-white tiled restaurants is a familiar one on British high streets.

However, for the vast majority of prospective franchisees, the straightforward answer is no, you cannot buy a single Five Guys franchise in the UK. This isn't because the brand is not interested in franchising—it is a franchised business, after all. Instead, it comes down to their specific and highly selective franchising strategy, which differs significantly from the single-unit model common to brands like Subway or Costa Coffee.

Five Guys operates on a multi-unit development model. This means they do not partner with individuals looking to open one or two locations. Instead, they seek large, well-capitalised corporate partners to acquire the rights to open multiple stores within a defined territory. In the UK, their primary partner has been Sir Charles Dunstone, the co-founder of Carphone Warehouse, who has driven their aggressive and successful expansion across the country. This strategy ensures rapid growth while maintaining tight brand control with a small number of trusted, high-calibre partners.

Who Can Partner with Five Guys in the UK?

While the door might be closed to the typical franchisee, it's useful to understand what Five Guys looks for in its partners. This sheds light on their brand philosophy and the level of investment and operational excellence they demand. A potential partner for Five Guys in the UK, or any new international market, would need to demonstrate:

Substantial Capital: We are not talking about the funds for a single restaurant fit-out. A partner would need access to many millions of pounds to fund the acquisition of territory rights and the subsequent development of a multi-store rollout plan.
Proven Multi-Unit Hospitality Experience: Five Guys seeks partners who are already seasoned operators in the food and beverage or hospitality sectors. They need a track record of successfully managing a portfolio of businesses, understanding supply chains, staffing, and multi-site marketing.
Existing Operational Infrastructure: An ideal partner comes to the table with an existing corporate structure, including departments for property acquisition, human resources, finance, and operations. Five Guys provides the brand and the system, but the partner must provide the engine to run it at scale.
A Passion for the Brand's Ethos: This goes beyond simply wanting a profitable business. Partners must be fully bought into the "Five Guys Way"—a relentless focus on quality ingredients, customer service, and operational simplicity, with no freezers, no microwaves, and no compromises.

In essence, Five Guys isn't looking for owner-operators; they are looking for regional development corporations. For the individual investor, this model makes entry impossible.

The Hypothetical Cost of a UK Five Guys Franchise

Even though a single-unit franchise isn't on the table, it's a valuable exercise to estimate what it *might* cost if it were. This helps benchmark against other opportunities in the fast-casual dining sector. Based on industry data and figures from markets where a more traditional (though still multi-unit focused) model exists, we can build a hypothetical picture.

Total Estimated Investment

The total capital required to open a single fast-casual burger restaurant of this calibre is significant. This includes the franchise fee, property acquisition and fit-out costs, kitchen equipment, signage, initial stock, and working capital. A conservative estimate for a single Five Guys restaurant in the UK would likely be in the range of £350,000 to £650,000. This figure can vary dramatically based on location, with prime city-centre sites costing substantially more than out-of-town retail park units.

Franchise Fee

This is the one-off payment made to the franchisor for the right to use the brand name, operating system, and to receive initial training and support. For a premium brand like Five Guys, you could expect an initial franchise fee of approximately £20,000 to £25,000. This is fairly standard for top-tier food franchises.

Ongoing Fees: Royalties and Marketing

Once trading, a franchisee is required to pay ongoing fees to the franchisor. These are typically calculated as a percentage of gross turnover.

Royalty Fee: This covers the continued use of the brand and access to ongoing support and innovation. For a brand like Five Guys, this would likely be around 6% of turnover.
Marketing Levy: This fee is pooled into a national or regional fund used for brand-level advertising and marketing campaigns that benefit all franchisees. A typical figure for this is 2% to 4% of turnover.

These figures demonstrate that even if it were possible, a Five Guys franchise would represent a top-end investment, requiring significant personal capital and the ability to secure substantial business finance.

Why the Multi-Unit Model Works for Five Guys

The decision to forgo single-unit franchising is a strategic one rooted in brand protection and quality control. By partnering with a small number of large developers, Five Guys can ensure a higher level of consistency across its entire network. Managing relationships with ten major partners is far more efficient than managing five hundred individual franchisees.

This approach allows them to maintain the premium feel of the brand. Every restaurant delivers the same high-quality experience because the operational standards are enforced by a sophisticated corporate partner, not an individual who might be tempted to cut corners to save costs. It is a model built for scale, speed, and uncompromising brand integrity.

Exploring Alternatives to a Five Guys Franchise

Understanding that Five Guys is not a viable option is the first step. The good news is that the UK franchise market is brimming with exciting, profitable, and accessible opportunities in the same space.

Premium Burger & Fast-Casual Franchises

The demand for high-quality, customisable burgers is not exclusive to Five Guys. A host of other franchise brands now operate in the "better burger" market. These opportunities often come with a lower investment level and a model specifically designed to support single-unit owner-operators. Look for brands that have a strong identity, a clear unique selling proposition (USP)—be it provenance of ingredients, unique toppings, or a focus on loaded fries—and a robust support system for new franchisees.

Consider Different Food & Beverage Sectors

If your passion is for running a customer-facing business in the food sector, don't limit your search to burgers. The UK has a mature franchise market in several other thriving areas:

Coffee Shops: A perennial favourite, with models ranging from mobile vans and small kiosks to full-service cafés.
Pizza Delivery & Takeaway: A resilient sector with proven systems and massive brand recognition from major players.
Dessert Parlours: A growing niche focusing on ice cream, waffles, crepes, and shakes, with strong appeal to a younger demographic.
Health-Focused Eateries: Salad bars, smoothie specialists, and concepts centred on healthy bowls are gaining significant traction with modern consumers.

Your Next Steps: Due Diligence in the UK Franchise Market

Once you have identified some realistic alternatives, the real work begins. Proper due diligence is the key to a successful franchise investment. In the UK, where the regulatory environment is less rigid than in other countries, the onus is firmly on you, the prospective franchisee.

The Importance of the Disclosure Pack

Unlike the United States, the UK does not have a legally mandated Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Instead, franchisors will provide a "franchise prospectus," "information pack," or "disclosure pack." It is vital to remember that this is, first and foremost, a sales document. While it will contain crucial information about the business model, fees, and training, you must approach it with a healthy degree of scepticism and use it as a starting point for your own investigation.

Scrutinise the Franchise Agreement

This is the most important document you will sign. It is a legally binding contract that will govern your relationship with the franchisor for many years. It is absolutely essential that you have this document reviewed by a specialist solicitor who is experienced in UK franchise law. Do not use a general high-street solicitor. An expert will identify onerous clauses, unclear obligations, and potential red flags.

Financial Scrutiny and Funding

Work with an accountant, preferably one with franchise experience, to build a detailed business plan. Stress-test the financial projections provided by the franchisor. How would your business cope if turnover were 15% lower than forecast? Major UK banks have dedicated franchise departments and look favourably upon funding requests for established and ethical franchise brands, but they will expect a robust and realistic plan from you.

Look for Marks of Quality

Membership of a body like the Quality Franchise Association (QFA) is a positive sign. It indicates that a franchisor has voluntarily submitted itself to a code of conduct and is committed to ethical franchising practices. This is not a guarantee of success, but it is a strong indicator of a franchisor's character.

The Final Verdict on a UK Five Guys Franchise

While the dream of opening your own local Five Guys remains just that—a dream—for the individual entrepreneur, this clarity is a powerful tool. It allows you to stop chasing an unavailable opportunity and pivot your energy and capital towards the hundreds of exciting and attainable franchise businesses actively seeking partners in the UK.

The principles that make Five Guys successful—quality, consistency, and a superb customer experience—are not unique to them. By applying the same discerning standards to your own search and conducting rigorous due diligence, you can find a franchise that not only meets your financial goals but also allows you to build a business you are truly proud of.