Five Guys’ Burger Fame

Built On Freshness And Customer Satisfaction

On any given day, families, teens, business people, and senior citizens form a steady line within the Five Guys Burgers and Fries, located in the Waterfall Plaza on South Main Street. The line winds from the door, past the sparkling clean counter, and sometimes weaves its way around the row of 50-pound sacks of potatoes stacked in the center of the restaurant. That is because the popular chain restaurant serves up the tastiest burgers and fries in Newtown, says franchise owner Dana Marona.

One of 495 locations in the United States, Ms Marona and her family opened the 255 South Main Street eatery three years ago. It is the first of what they hope will be ten sites in Fairfield County. The sites currently include a Brookfield Five Guys on Federal Road operated by her older brother, Nicholas, one in Westport scheduled to open this December, and a site in Norwalk that is pending. “Our plan is ten in ten years,” said Ms Marona, “and we are right on schedule.”

She and her brother recognized the success of the Five Guys concept while living in Virginia, where the burger business began in 1986, and convinced their parents to invest in it. Now, she and her brother manage the operations and her parents handle the financial and administrative end of the business. “It’s truly a family business. We are very hands-on owners,” she said.

The 2008 business management graduate of Radford University in Virginia is not surprised by how well received Five Guys has been in Newtown. “We know the concept and quality of the Five Guys burger is great. If you love burgers, you’ll love Five Guys’ burger,” she said. “The freshness is amazing and everything is made to order. Your burger doesn’t wait for you, you wait for your burger,” she said.

The brief wait is pleasurable though, whether seated at the blonde wood tables and chairs arranged in cozy groups throughout the 2,500-square-foot restaurant, or waiting in line, noshing on free peanuts in the shell. There is no need to wander around seeking a trashcan to dispose of the peanut shells, either. Customers are welcome to let the shells fall to the floor, where staff members regularly sweep them up, leaving the floor with its usual spotless gleam.

Extra seating is available in the adjacent outdoor patio, the perfect place to enjoy fine weather and fine food. Piped-in classic rewind or classic vinyl music from Sirius satellite radio provides the background music, and the cheerful red and white tiles that border the perimeter of Five Guys add to the upbeat atmosphere. Framed reviews of Five Guys’ restaurants from all across the country encircle the dining area, and are worth perusing while savoring a meal.

What sets Five Guys Burgers and Fries apart from other burger joints is the quality, Ms Marona said. Fresh, American ground beef is hand-rolled into the nearly four-ounce burgers that deliver a taste punch on every sandwich. Fresh sesame seed buns, baked in Five Guys’ own bakery, are grilled to a toasty brown for each burger. Neither burgers nor buns ever see the inside of a freezer.

Starting out with the “Little” one-patty burgers, or the two-patty hamburger, cheeseburger, bacon burger, or the top-selling bacon cheeseburgers, customers can then pile on any of 15 toppings — for free. Toppings include relish, raw or grilled onions, tomatoes, lettuce, grilled mushrooms, and jalapeño peppers, as well as A1 Sauce, barbeque sauce, or hot sauce.

Even the toppings are all hand-sliced on premises, and grilled items are cooked to order. The open kitchen allows customers to watch their orders progress from start to finish.

A Five Guys burger would not be complete without a side of the Five Guys Style or Cajun French fries. Hand-cut from Idaho or Washington russet potatoes, the regular size fries arrive in a tall Styrofoam cup in a brown paper bag — with enough “leftover” fries dumped on top to equal practically another serving. Only the very bold or groups of three or more dare indulge in the large order of fries. “We’re known for our fry sizes that are larger than average,” said Ms Marona.

The quality of the French fries is seen in the freshness of the product, she said. No fries linger in the fryer beyond three minutes.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries is also a haven for hot dog lovers, where only all-beef Hebrew National hot dogs are on the menu. The hot dog buns are without seeds (and can accommodate a reformed burger for those who want a seedless burger bun) and are also available with any of the free toppings, or as a cheese or bacon dog, or a bacon cheese dog.

Customers who forego meat products can chow down on either the veggie sandwich, made up of any of the grilled toppings on a toasted bun, with or without American cheese, or a grilled cheese sandwich.

Along with the top quality product, reasonable prices keep the customer base happy and coming back, said Ms Marona. “It’s very affordable for families, and we see a lot of them here,” she said.

Five Guys also offers the standard soda fountain offerings, as well as Gold Peak iced tea (both with free refills), and bottled water is always available.

 “Our main priority is making customers happy,” said Ms Marona, “and I think most leave here very pleased.”

Five Guys Burgers and Fries, located at 255 South Main Street in the Waterfall Plaza, is open seven days of the week, from 11 am to 10 pm. Call ahead to 304-1193 for takeout orders, or call 304-1196 to fax an order. For more information visit fiveguys.com.