Reports indicate that the popular fast food chain Five Guys will be closing a total of 14 locations across a number of states in 2026, raising questions about the company’s overall footprint in the United States. This development comes as the chain continues its global expansion efforts, leaving uncertainty regarding the net impact of these closures on its operations.
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The latest closures will result in dozens of job losses, as confirmed by local reporting and Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification (WARN) notices filed in California. Among the locations affected are several in California, including Tracy, Bakersfield, Rancho Mirage, and Valencia. Additionally, restaurants in Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Georgia, and Nebraska are also set to shut down.
The specific addresses facing closure include sites in Tracy (2970 W Grant Line Rd), Bakersfield (2701 Ming Ave), Rancho Mirage (71-800 Hwy 111), and Valencia (24201 Valencia Blvd #3672), with others in states like Florida, Illinois, and Iowa also confirmed as permanently closed. Six of the closures are scheduled for May, June, and July 2026, primarily affecting sites in California, including Whittier and Hanford.
Financial difficulties have been cited as a key reason for these impending closures, as highlighted by WARN filings from Five Guys Operations. The four California locations closing soon are expected to eliminate approximately 55 jobs.
Despite these closures, the overall presence of Five Guys in the U.S. appears to have grown in recent years. An analysis by QSR Magazine noted that while the chain closed 28 restaurants in 2024, it ended the year with a net gain of 35 new stores. Five Guys has also recently opened new locations in various states such as Georgia and Texas, further indicating that while some locations are closing, the brand continues to pursue growth in other areas.
Currently, Five Guys operates approximately 1,517 locations in the U.S. and boasts over 1,950 establishments globally across 29 countries. The fast food brand’s media fact sheet reveals that it has an additional 1,500 units in the pipeline, highlighting an ongoing commitment to expand even further internationally.
The company is exploring franchise opportunities beyond North America, particularly in Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. However, within the U.S. and Canada, franchise opportunities are reported to be sold out, as existing franchisees work on developing their territories.
Recently, Five Guys faced backlash for a poorly executed promotional offer in celebration of its 40th anniversary. In light of the chaos surrounding the event, which resulted in food shortages and overwhelmed staff, CEO Jerry Murrell announced a $1.5 million bonus for employees. This decision was made to recognise the hard work of staff who navigated an unexpectedly high demand during the event, which ultimately caused logistical issues.
Reflecting on the mishap, Murrell commented on the initial chaos, noting, “We had no idea that we were going to get that kind of response,” and acknowledged the need for an additional promotion to adequately address the situation. The follow-up promotion was successfully carried out in March, indicating that the staff were better prepared to manage the demands this time around.
With the upcoming closures and the ongoing expansion efforts, it remains to be seen how Five Guys will ultimately navigate its existing challenges while continuing to grow its brand. The fast food chain’s ability to balance opening new locations while reducing its footprint in certain areas will be critical to its future success.