Five Guys

United States – – October 17, 2026 -- Seventy percent of Americans buy food or drinks from fast food restaurants at least once a month, and 30% do so weekly, according to YouGov's Best Bites 2026: U.S. restaurant brand rankings.

Younger, middle-income diners drive weekly fast food demand

Of weekly fast food diners, 51% are under 45 and 49% live in middle-income households. Value and discount menus are the biggest drivers of visits, followed by a clean dining environment.

Taco Bell takes 30.3% of votes for best tacos and burritos

Taco Bell leads its category by nearly 10 points over Chipotle, the widest margin among the categories YouGov highlights.

Burgers are a much tighter race. Five Guys leads with 15.5% of Americans naming it best for burgers, just ahead of Burger King at 15.0% and In-N-Out Burger at 12.1%.

National Harbor, Maryland – October 17, 2026 -- Five Guys will award $100,000 to the winner of its Five Guys Games final on May 13 at The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland, closing a six-month internal contest open to the chain's 50,000 employees.

Three timed events decide the $100,000 grand prize

Finalists compete in a potato race, a cheese stack race and a QC wrapping race. The Five Guys Training Team judges the events, watching and timing each competitor for speed and accuracy.

The Olympic-style contest began as an idea from the Murrell family to reward store crew members. Crew members, managers and general managers have competed through store, regional and semifinal rounds.

Alexandria, Va. – October 17, 2026 -- Jonathan Martinez of Kingston, New York, won the 2026 Five Guys Games and took home a tax-free $100,000 check, headlining a finale that closed the burger chain's 40th Anniversary Conference at The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland.

Eight finalists compete across three speed-and-accuracy events

Eight finalists went head-to-head on May 13 in three events: the potato race, the cheese race and the dressing/QC race. Each event tests speed, skill and accuracy. Every finalist received at least $10,000.

Jackson Chimbay of Wallkill, New York, placed second and won $50,000. Peter Le of Derry, New Hampshire, took third and $25,000.

The remaining finalists were Joshua Harvey of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Jose Once of Spring Valley, New York; Carson Tate of Kingsport, Tennessee; Enock Akuwure of Liverpool, UK; and Aurelien Favreau of Clermont-Ferrand, France.