Five Guys customers say chain's prices are 'out of control' after 'outrageous' eceipt

A social media storm has erupted over the cost of a meal at one of America's beloved burger joints. On March 1, X user @WallStreetSilv shared a snap of a Five Guys receipt that set the internet ablaze, racking up nearly 25 million views and sparking a fiery debate about the soaring prices in the fast-food industry.

"Five Guys prices are out of control," the user exclaimed alongside the Reddit-sourced image. "$24 for one person." The bill detailed a $12.49 charge for a bacon cheeseburger with ketchup and mustard, a regular soda at $2.89, and a small fry costing $5.19. After-tax and tip, the grand total hit $24.10.

"Guess I was expecting about $12 to $15 per person for Five Guys. $22 (without tip) just seems to cross a line," the user lamented in another tweet. "What is the right amount these days," reports Today.com.

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Yet, the post has ignited a torrent of comments on X, with over 12,000 people chiming in on the original tweet, offering a mix of shock and varying perspectives. "fast food becoming a luxury meal is a sign of the times," commented an X user, reflecting on the changing economic landscape.

"HAH!! This would be cheap in California ! " another chimed in, highlighting regional price differences. Indeed, they're spot on: A bacon cheeseburger at a Five Guys in Culver City, California, will currently cost customers $14.39.

"That's not even factoring in how overrated they are. $10 should be able to get you a premium burger from a higher-end place. Drink and fries plus $5," one critic penned, which sparked a cheeky retort from another user: "What are things like back in 1990 where you apparently currently live?"

Yet, the bulk of the chatter about Five Guys' pricing is unfolding on Reddit. There, folks are voicing their shock, surprise, dismay, and slight irritation over the matter. Indeed, the subreddit r/mildlyinfuriating, a spot for netizens to share what mildly irks them, is dotted with grievances regarding the eatery's pricing.

One Redditor even took it upon themselves to track the escalating price of a cheeseburger with ketchup at their local Five Guys in Ann Arbor, Michigan, over twelve months. A post in the Ann Arbor subreddit reveals that the cost of this patron's preferred meal jumped from $7.79 on Feb 25, 2021, to $10.79 by the same date in 2022.

Speculations abound as to why Five Guys might set you back a little more than its rivals. Beyond using fresh, unfrozen ingredients, the establishment dishes out numerous burger toppings free of charge, heftier servings, and then some.

Its fries are also cooked in peanut oil, which comes with a heftier price tag compared to other oils. Five Guys isn't the only chain facing backlash from customers over rising prices. Chains like McDonald's have seen their prices increase, causing customers to rethink dining out altogether.

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McDonald's has stated it plans to focus on affordable pricing in the future. Additionally, beef inflation has pushed the average price of a burger to nearly $16 in 2023.

MoneyGeek reports that a burger, fries, and soda at McDonald's now costs around $6.19, an increase of 11.5 percent from 2021 to 2022. The same order at Five Guys now averages at $19.95, marking a 13.5 percent increase during the same period.

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