Last checked Sep 24, 2026
Five Guys Enterprises, LLC (Five Guys)fiveguys.comFive Guys Enterprises, LLC (Five Guys) is not currently listed as private-equity-owned.
Ownership & Acquisition History
Five Guys is privately held and controlled by the Murrell family (founders/family owners), not by a private equity firm or private equity fund.
Notes
- A July 30, 2026 profile/interview with founder/CEO Jerry Murrell states that 'Five Guys remains privately held' and describes it as a continuing family business, indicating no current private equity control.
- A Forbes profile (2012) describes ownership as majority held by the Murrell family (reported 75%) with a minority stake held by Miller Investments (reported 20%)—not a private equity sponsor controlling the company.
- Five Guys’ own 'history/story' page states the first restaurant opened in 1986 in Arlington, Virginia and describes founders Jerry and Janie Murrell starting the business with their sons.
- No credible source located indicates a completed sale of controlling ownership to a private equity sponsor; sources instead consistently describe the company as privately held/family-run.
Sources
- Five Guys Founder Jerry Murrell on 40 Years, Five Sons and Why Alexandria
Alexandria Living Magazine - Current status: privately held/family business; founding context (opened first carry-out in Arlington in 1986).
- Five Guys Burgers: America's Fastest Growing Restaurant Chain (All in the Family)
Forbes - Ownership described as majority held by Murrell family with minority stake held by Miller Investments; mentions PE firms were interested but does not indicate a PE buyout.
- La historia de Five Guys (Nuestra historia)
Five Guys (official) - Founding: opened in 1986 in Arlington, Virginia; founders Jerry and Janie Murrell started the first Five Guys.
- File:Five Guys logo.svg
Wikimedia Commons - Direct downloadable logo file URL for current Five Guys wordmark logo.
- https://apnews.com/article/d8172aef73431968412ec33f2f0a78ce
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.inc.com/magazine/201402/jerry-murrell/five-guys-burgers-story.html
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://legalclarity.org/who-owns-five-guys-murrell-family-and-investors/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://crehq.com/companies/five-guys/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/operations/five-guys-simplicity-rules-no-matter-where
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://s21.q4cdn.com/870208010/files/doc_financials/2019/ar/Annual-Report-2019.pdf
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://hub.stellantis.com/article/the-hidden-story-behind-where-was-5-guys-founded
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.fiveguys.be/nl/het-verhaal-van-five-guys/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
Ownership FAQ
Is Five Guys Enterprises, LLC (Five Guys) owned by private equity?
No. Five Guys Enterprises, LLC (Five Guys) does not currently appear to be private-equity-owned.
Who owns Five Guys Enterprises, LLC (Five Guys)?
Privately held and family-controlled (Murrell family are the owners; with minority outside investors reported historically)
When was Five Guys Enterprises, LLC (Five Guys) last checked?
This page was last checked on Sep 24, 2026.