People are just realizing where the name Five Guys comes from
When you think of Five Guys, you probably picture juicy burgers, crispy fries and a casual dining experience, but the story behind the Five Guys name is more personal - and a bit more complicated - than you might expect.
Five Guys was founded in 1986 by Jerry and Janie Murrell in Arlington, Virginia.
At the time, the couple had four sons: Jim, Matt, Chad, and Ben.
When their oldest sons, Matt and Jim, approached the end of high school, they were reportedly not so keen on heading off to college.
Matt even told Forbes he was 'terrified' of the idea, that's when Jerry offered them a choice: attend college or invest in a family business.
The two eldest boys unsurprisingly chose the latter - a decision Jerry said he was '100 percent in support of' - and the Murrells used the money set aside for college tuition to open the carry-out burger joint.
'My two eldest sons, Matt and Jim, said they did not want to go to college. I supported them 100 percent. Instead, we used their college tuition to open a burger joint,' Jerry explained in an interview with Inc.
Now with a budding business, Jerry and his family sat down and sought out deciding a name for their soon-to-be burger spot.
Five Guys was founded in 1986 by Jerry and Janie Murrell in Arlington, Virginia. Pictured: Jerry and Janie Murrell inside a Five Guys location in Hybla Valley, Virginia in March 2006
Now with a budding business, Jerry and his family sat down and sought out deciding a name for their soon-to-be burger spot. Pictured: Five Guys restaurant in Mount Laurel, New Jersey
'Our lawyer said, 'You need a name.' I had four sons - Matt, Jim, Chad - from my first marriage. And Ben from my second to Janie, who has run our books from day one. So I said, 'How about Five Guys?'
That was it! The restaurant was then named Five Guys, initially paying homage to Jerry and his four sons.
However, the family's touching story took an unexpected turn when a fifth son, Tyler, was born in 1988.
Rather than change the name of the now-iconic restaurant, Jerry decided to shift its meaning, taking himself out of the equation.
Soon the name Five Guys would come to represent Jerry and Janie's five sons: Jim, Matt, Chad, Ben and Tyler.
Despite the adjustment, there are still technically six men in the Murrell family - a complicated twist to the brand name.
'So technically there are actually six guys...' Jerry told LadBible.
From its humble beginnings nearly 40 years ago, Five Guys has since grown into a global brand with over 1,700 locations worldwide.
The Murrell family however still remains deeply involved in the business, with each son taking on specific roles.
'Our lawyer said, 'You need a name.' I had four sons - Matt, Jim, Chad - from my first marriage. And Ben from my second to Janie, who has run our books from day one. So I said, 'How about Five Guys?' Pictured: The Murrell family, the original Five Guys Burgers and Fries family, host patriarch Jerry (From left: Matt, Ben, Tyler, Jerry, Jim, Chad and mom, Janie)
From its humble beginnings nearly 40 years ago, Five Guys has since grown into a global brand with over 1,700 locations worldwide
The Murrell family however still remains deeply involved in the business, with each son taking on specific roles. Pictured: Jerry Murrell, founder of Five Guys, poses for a photograph inside the company's new hamburger outlet in London, UK
Matt and Jim travel the country inspecting stores, while Chad oversees training, Ben selects franchisees and Tyler manages the bakery operation ensuring fresh buns to locations nationwide.
Fans also may be surprised to learn that the uber-successful burger joint did not begin franchising until 2003 - nearly two decades after its first location in Virginia.
The company's growth has been nothing short of explosive since then, earning a 'cult-like' following for its simple 'quality-first' philosophy.
There are no freezers in Five Guys kitchens, no microwaves, and everything is made fresh daily, according to their website.
Despite widespread popularity and premium pricing, the Murrells have remained grounded in their original mission.
According to founder, Jerry, the business has never chased facades or gimmicks.
'We figure our best salesman is our customer. Treat that person right, he'll walk out the door and sell for you,' Jerry said in an interview.
'From the beginning, I wanted people to know that we put all our money into the food. That's why the décor is so simple - red and white tiles. We don't spend our money on décor. Or on guys in chicken suits. But we'll go overboard on food.'
