Five Guys charges 2-3x more per burger ($15-17 vs $6-8) and uses fresh, never-frozen beef with customizable toppings, while Burger King offers faster service, lower prices, and flame-grilled burgers at a casual quick-service level. The choice depends on whether you prioritize premium quality or affordability and speed.
Burger King vs Five Guys — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Second-largest burger-focused fast-food chain, differentiated by flame-grilled cooking and Whopper signature product.
Premium fast-casual burger chain specializing in fresh beef and extensive customization.
Average Burger Price. Beef Freshness. Customization Options. Average Wait Time. Global Locations (2025). Avg Customer Satisfaction (Yelp Rating). Drive-Thru Availability
Choose Burger King if you need quick, affordable burgers with maximum convenience and drive-thru access across most locations. Choose Five Guys if you prioritize premium-quality beef, extensive customization, and don't mind paying 2-3x more and waiting longer for a superior burger experience.
Burger King: 18,000+ | Five Guys: 1,500+
Burger King: $1.8 Billion | Five Guys: N/A
Burger King: Saves £2.00 | Five Guys: N/A
Burger King: Flame-grilled (quality varies by location) | Five Guys: Fresh never-frozen daily
Burger King: ~40 seconds per Whopper | Five Guys: N/A
Burger King: Standard Frosty-style offerings | Five Guys: N/A
Burger King: Traditional format | Five Guys: N/A
Burger King: 5+ burger options at £5.99 | Five Guys: N/A
Burger King: 660 cal (Whopper) | Five Guys: N/A
Burger King: 8M+ (BK Rewards) | Five Guys: N/A
Burger King: ~1000+ 'Have it Your Way' combos | Five Guys: Patty count, proteins, toppings, sauces
Burger King: 4.5 minutes | Five Guys: N/A
Burger King: Whopper: 660 cal | Five Guys: N/A
Burger King: 120+ | Five Guys: 12 core items
Burger King: $5.49 (Whopper) | Five Guys: N/A
Burger King: 4.8 | Five Guys: 8-12 minutes
Burger King: 18,000+ | Five Guys: 1,700+
Burger King: 3.8/5.0 | Five Guys: 4.5/5.0
Burger King: 6 minutes | Five Guys: 13 minutes
Burger King: Flame-grilled frozen patties | Five Guys: Fresh, never-frozen daily
Burger King: 6 standard toppings | Five Guys: 15+ customizable toppings
Burger King: $2.10/lb | Five Guys: $4.80/lb
Burger King: $316K - $516K | Five Guys: N/A
Burger King: Flame-grilled (smoky flavor) | Five Guys: N/A
Burger King: N/A | Five Guys: 1st place - 15.5%
Burger King: N/A | Five Guys: 3 (burgers, hot dogs, fries)
Burger King: N/A | Five Guys: 40+ states plus international
Burger King: N/A | Five Guys: 15+ customizable options
Burger King: N/A | Five Guys: 12-15 minutes
Burger King: N/A | Five Guys: 15+ toppings
Burger King: N/A | Five Guys: Fresh, never frozen, daily ground
Average Meal Cost (Burger + Fries + Drink)
How to choose between Burger King and Five Guys
Burger King vs Five Guys — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Burger King vs Five Guys. Contains 78 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Burger King vs Five Guys — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Burger King vs Five Guys.
Why is Five Guys so much more expensive than Burger King?
Five Guys charges premium prices due to fresh, never-frozen beef sourced daily, extensive customization, hand-cut fries cooked fresh, and made-to-order preparation. Burger King uses frozen patties and operates as a traditional quick-service model optimized for speed and affordability. The price difference reflects quality tier positioning rather than portion size.
Five Guys scores higher on taste with 4.5/5.0 average ratings vs Burger King's 3.8/5.0, primarily due to fresh beef and customization. However, Burger King's flame-grilled flavor has a distinct loyal fanbase. Taste is subjective—Five Guys appeals to quality-focused diners, while Burger King satisfies those preferring quick, consistent classic flame-grilled taste.
Most Five Guys locations (95%) do not have drive-thru service. The chain prioritizes made-to-order quality over drive-thru speed, with most locations offering dine-in and walk-up ordering only. Burger King has drive-thru at 95% of its 18,000+ locations, making it far more convenient for quick takeout.
How long does it take to get a burger at each restaurant?
Burger King averages 5-7 minutes from order to receipt, optimized for quick service. Five Guys takes 10-15 minutes due to fresh beef preparation and extensive customization per order. The time difference reflects Burger King's assembly-line efficiency versus Five Guys' made-to-order quality approach.
Burger King offers better absolute value at $7.25 per burger with faster service and drive-thru access. Five Guys offers better quality-to-price value for premium beef and customization seekers willing to spend more. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize cost savings or ingredient quality and customization.
How to Choose Between Burger King and Five Guys
Average Burger Price: Burger King has $6.50-$8.00, while Five Guys has $15.00-$17.00.
Beef Freshness: Burger King has Flame-grilled from frozen patties, while Five Guys has Fresh, never-frozen beef delivered daily.
Customization Options: Burger King has Limited (standard toppings only), while Five Guys has Extensive (15+ topping choices per burger).
Average Wait Time: Burger King has 5-7 minutes, while Five Guys has 10-15 minutes.
Global Locations (2025): Burger King has 18,000+ restaurants, while Five Guys has 1,700+ restaurants.
Consider: Avg Customer Satisfaction (Yelp Rating)
Avg Customer Satisfaction (Yelp Rating): Burger King has 3.8/5.0 stars, while Five Guys has 4.5/5.0 stars.
Drive-Thru Availability: Burger King has 95% of locations, while Five Guys has Minimal (mostly dine-in/walk-up only).