Five Guys vent

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Honestly, if there were signs on the door I did not see them. I was balancing a toddler in one arm, purse in the other, and trying to open the door for another child. Plus, it was dark and rainy out and with the lights on inside any sign was probably backlit. The only sign I noticed on my way out (the second time) about not removing peanuts was on the peanut box itself (located near the door).

As I stated before, I'm not a peanut nazi and understand that any eating place can serve what they want. !

It doens't require being a nazi about something to be aware of the environment--and if you discover they have something you cannot be near, when leaving--before getting upset that they did you wrong, perhaps check to see if they had warnings posted.

As it seems--many posters have commented that there is signage at the various locations.

You expected a safe haven, did not find one and you wihs to find them at fault. In the end, the burden of the allergy rests on you to make sure a place is safe before you enter. Carrying a toddler or a baby is just an excuse for you to transfer that burden onto someone else.

 

[chisnpeke]

Another restaurant that cooks their fries in peanut oil is Chick-Fil-A. Just a warning so those with allergies know that as well.

 

[robinb]

To be fair (and to see how obtuse I might be ), I just now dropped off my son at tennis then drove by the Five Guys to see what the signage situation is. Many people have stated that their FG has numerous signs warning about peanuts; however this one does not have numerous signs all over the place, nor a sandwich signboard out front nor anything else like that.

There is a very big window sign saying "Best in Charlotte since xxxx" and another one that says "Five Guys". There are also large expanses of blank window. When you get to the door there is a small (approx. 7"x5" vertical) sticker down by the handle (not eye level obviously) and the first and largest words are "BULK PEANUTS" written in red, however the red words are faded out to about 50% of pigmentation, with smaller text in black warning about allergies and not taking peanuts out. That's it. There aren't any lights in the area from the parking lot either. A similarly sized sticker states "No Smoking on the Premises" higher up on the door and from 5 feet away it was much easier to read than the peanut sign.

In that case I think it's acceptable to call the manager/owner and tell them (nicely, of course ) that their sign is rather faded and not at eye level and that you accidentally brought your son into the store. They'll either think you're a nut rotfl or they will take your suggestion under advisement and other customers will be duly forewarned.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I'm pretty sure they fry everything in peanut oil too.

They are good but not worth the prices they charge. Their fries are awesome, better than their burgers.

 

[Redpepperflakes14]

That people enjoy eating peanuts

The peanuts gave me something to do while I stood in line.

I've been to Five Guys restaurants in VA, MD, and NC and they have all had signage about the peanut situation. I also understand looking at something and not really having it register though (happens to me all the time!)

I haven't been back to Five Guys in a while though -- I've fallen in love with the local chain called Big Daddy Burger, best salads and burgers I've ever had.

 

[ticktock]

Honestly, if there were signs on the door I did not see them. I was balancing a toddler in one arm, purse in the other, and trying to open the door for another child. Plus, it was dark and rainy out and with the lights on inside any sign was probably backlit. The only sign I noticed on my way out (the second time) about not removing peanuts was on the peanut box itself (located near the door).

As I stated before, I'm not a peanut nazi and understand that any eating place can serve what they want. However, it surprises me from a business standpoint that a fast-food chain restaurant would have peanuts due to the number of people who have that allergy (very often children) and that it limits their customer base when you add in the rest of the family members or even co-workers as the case may be. (We used to have a Longhorn Steakhouse with peanuts on the tables but it went out of business...but that clientele is different than fast-food). Plus, I've never seen a Five Guys with a drive-thru option to alleviate the problem of going inside.

They've been building these franchises as fast as they can around here and the ones that I drive by and can see inside always seem mostly empty. Shades of Krispy Kreme....pretty sure there will be a market correction at some point. Again, it seems strange to me from a business perspective; maybe they should try a peanut-free profile at select locations and see if it draws in those who otherwise would have to skip going to Five Guys. Just a thought!

Just as many people have allergies to soy and everything has soy in it. The only reason restaurants use soy instead of peanut oil is because soy oil is super cheap. Soy is subsidized by the government while peanut prices are kept artificially high by restrictions on who can grow peanuts with allotments, similar to tobacco allotments .

 

[traviesojmt]

They've been building these franchises as fast as they can around here and the ones that I drive by and can see inside always seem mostly empty. Shades of Krispy Kreme....pretty sure there will be a market correction at some point. Again, it seems strange to me from a business perspective; maybe they should try a peanut-free profile at select locations and see if it draws in those who otherwise would have to skip going to Five Guys. Just a thought!

The Five Guys near us is ALWAYS busy. The line is usually at the door. We really enjoy eating there on occasion. I love getting my burger any way I want, esp with the grilled onions and mushrooms. The food is always very fresh and hot.

I guess if you aren't paying attention it would be easy to miss the sign on the door, but our location has several signs indicating peanuts.

 

[bouldertcr]

Take away the peanuts and you've taken away the healthiest choice at Five Guys!....lol!

Yeah those burgers are loaded with saturated fat but boy they sure taste good. I agree with MarcyinPA. It is certainly not a place you want to eat at weekly.

 

[waltskids]

Although we don't have peanut allergies in our family, I always wondered how people handle it in restaurants such as these. We go to Texas Roadhouse and they also serve peanuts right in the restaurant (signs on the door).

And yes, In N Out Burger is much much better! We have been to them in both California and Nevada and their burgers are amazing I only wish we had one in NJ.

 

[golfgal]

Every single Five Guys I've been to has these signes all over.

Same here, on the doors, signs everywhere.

 

[MelanieC]

I was mad when Moe's pulled out of opening a location and 5 Guys is moving into that spot

Who needs another beef joint - Give me a good vegetarian/vegan place like Chipotle or Moe's any day!

 

[anotherdisneygal]

We have a few local 5 Guys and they all have HUGE signs about the peanuts on the doors as you walk in and another one as you walk out reminding you not to bring them out.

 

[fairestoneofall]

DS has a peanut allergy (ingest). we have been to Five Guys and are just really careful when we go. we have less of a problem there versus places like Texas Roadhouse and Logan's, where people drop the shells all over the floor. those places do seem to irritate DS.

and most peanut oils are so refined that the allergen has been removed. chick-fil-a uses peanut oil. but it has never bothered DS because it has been refined and the allergen removed. his is not a life-threatening allergy (well, that we know. he hasn't had a lot of exposure to peanuts--just one cross-contamination that left him swollen and with difficulty breathing, but not anaphalactic.), and he has eaten at chick-fil-a without problems for years. from what i understand, some can tolerate peanut oil and some cannot. DS can. so, it isn't to say that everyone with a peanut allergy needs to avoid peanut oil.

 

[Erin1700]

We can not go to 5 guys or chick fil a either as my son has an allergy. I dont feel left out or angry that they serve peanuts, there are other places to go. BUT the one here in PA does not have a very noticable sign either. My DH and DD went there and they looked for it and only found a small sign on the door. They said when they were there a mom with a few kids came in and then started yelling at her one child to get out. I guess she didnt see the sign.

 

[fairestoneofall]

I'm very confused. If anyone, or anyone's child, had a true peanut allergy, why would you ever go to Five Guys?

As has been previously stated, they have signs prominently displayed, and there are peanuts out in plain sight. The topper is that the fries are fried in PEANUT OIL and then placed in the same bag as the burgers. There will be cross-contamination issues everywhere. Oil that is being fried will go in the air to some degree and cover all work surfaces.

Those that say they take their peanut allergic child there and that they love the food but just don't eat the peanuts...well...I would seriously consider having your child tested again. If they're eating fries and burgers that are covered in peanut oil with no ill effects, I highly doubt they're really allergic.

For the OP, no i don't think they need to make Five Guys peanut free. No more than seafood restaurants have to get rid of shellfish to accommodate those allergies, candy stores need to get rid of their chocolate, or ice cream shops not use dairy products for those that are lactose intolerant.

just because one has a peanut allergy does not mean one cannot tolerate peanut oil. it has been refined to a point where some WITH a peanut allergy CAN tolerate it. and do. my son can.

 

[dawnandnala]

Only 1.3% of the population has a peanut allergy, but even with that small percentage, it is the leading food allergy. Places with popular allergens should have signs posted saying that the allergen is in abundance.

Most food packages lists the popular allergens in it (tree nut, dairy, etc?) so places with peanuts on tables should have a sign outside saying so.

And WHY do people throw the shells on the floor?

We do not have 5 Guys here so I cannot speak to that chain - but around here many of our bars are known as "peanut bars" and do the whole throw the shells on the floor thing - I was told it was because the oils in the shells are good for the hardwood floors. The actually encourage everyone to do it.

 

[Topper]

The peanut issue is addressed on their website in the FAQ:

Peanuts and Peanut allergy questions

Q: What type of peanut oil does Five Guys use?

A: We use 100% peanut oil that is refined and contains only enough preservatives (less than .004%, so that the oil doesn't foam when we put our fries in!)

Q: Can a person with peanut allergies eat Five Guy fries?

A: Five Guys does use refined peanut oil, which is less likely than cold pressed oil to cause a reaction. However, all guests should consult their physicians before consumption and all guests need to be aware that we serve in-shell peanuts in bulk containers in all of our restaurants.

Q: Why can't we take peanuts outside?

A: Although it is rare that a casual encounter with peanuts will cause an allergic reaction, we want to limit the risk of someone unknowingly coming into contact with peanuts.

Q: If so many people are allergic to peanuts, why does Five Guys continue to offer them?

A: Over the past 20 years, peanuts have become part of the Five Guys identity. We by no means want to exclude guests from our store, but at the same time we would not want to disappoint our peanut eating guests. We make sure that we have signage on our doors and in our restaurants about the fact that we serve peanuts in bulk containers as we would never want someone to risk their health by coming into our restaurants.

http://fiveguys.com/faq.aspx

 

[LuvSulley]

I just had to get this off my chest. My oldest was visiting over spring break and the other night she wanted to eat at Five Guys. So I loaded up 3 kiddos and headed over there. We all went in to order.

Then I had to RUSH out of there. Apparently part of the ambience of this fast food place is whole peanuts in large boxes that people can take and eat. My youngest has a peanut allergy (thankfully has to ingest it, not just have it flying around). I had to quickly remove him to wait in the carseat, then get the rest of the order to go and get out of there.

Which leaves me to ask: what are they thinking? I'm not some peanut nazi, but I'm certainly more sensitive now that I have a child with an allergy (he has an epi pen just in case). With all the people out there with peanut allergies, plus their families, it seems to me that they are severely restricting the number of potential customers. I know we won't be headed back.

Vent over. Other to say: they are not as good as In and Out, even though they try to fashion themselves after it.

Thanks. Feeling better now.

I find it weird that your daughter didn't mention the peanuts knowing her brother has an allergy. Was it her first time too? I never heard of Five Guys but I love Texas Roadhouse because of the peanuts/being able to throw shells on the floor thing. Its fun and unique to me. I never thought about how people with peanut allergies deal with that though (never knew anyone with one) but I'm glad your son didn't have a reaction!

 

[Ohiodislover]

I was mad when Moe's pulled out of opening a location and 5 Guys is moving into that spot

Moe's pulled out of our neighborhood-- also for a Five Guys. It is OK--after getting shut down by the health dept for a few days, i didn't want to eat there any longer anyway We are lucky though. We still have 2 chipotle, 2 baja fresh, and 2 Qdobas close by.

DH is in heaven w/ the Five Guys. He goes for lunch way too often It was bad enough when the closest was a 20 min. drive from his office. It is now only 5-7 minutes.

 

[mhsjax]

We have several Moe's in our area, maybe I can send you one of ours. lol

That is one place that for the life of me I will never get, I can't stand that place. Most people love it, I just don't get it.