Five Guys Opening In Bellevue
Five Guys, the well-known family-owned restaurant chain, is expanding once again, this time with a new location in Bellevue, Nebraska. Founded in 1986 by the Murrell family in Northern Virginia, Five Guys began as a small local business. However, after franchising in 2002, the chain rapidly grew into a global presence, now with over 2,000 locations in sixteen countries, including more than 1,400 in the U.S.
Bellevue is about to join this list when the new Five Guys location opens its doors this Friday. But while many residents are excited, others are noting that Five Guys is far from a local business, and some are concerned about the higher prices that come with the brand.
Jeremy Tutora, co-owner of the Bellevue Five Guys, has a long history with the company. Originally from Southern California, Tutora has lived across the country and has family ties in Nebraska. In 2022, while working for the Five Guys corporation, he was offered the opportunity to become a 50/50 partner in the new Bellevue location. His business partner, a Nebraska City native, currently lives in Lincoln.
“We saw Bellevue as a strong market for restaurants, which is what brought us here,” Tutora shared. “We also have family connections at Offutt AFB and have always liked this part of the Omaha-Metro area.”
Tutora’s experience with Five Guys spans over 12 years, and he remains a firm believer in the brand. “Five Guys has always been a great company to work for, and when the chance came to turn this into a family business, it just made sense.”
However, despite the company’s success, some Bellevue residents are questioning whether the arrival of another national chain is what the community needs, especially one with premium pricing. Five Guys has become known for its higher prices compared to other fast-casual options, with a standard meal easily exceeding $15 per person. While the quality is undeniable, some locals feel the prices might be a bit steep, especially given the presence of more affordable local options.
Tutora emphasizes that what sets Five Guys apart is their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. The brand prioritizes investing in their crew rather than running traditional advertising campaigns. “Our belief is that if the crew is happy and making great food, our customers will do the talking for us,” Tutora explained.
Five Guys’ dedication to freshness is a point of pride. “We don’t use freezers—everything is made fresh daily. From hand-cut potatoes to freshly balled ground beef and produce prepped every morning, we ensure that each meal is top-notch,” said Tutora. “There are no microwaves or timers in our kitchen. Even our bun toaster is a heavy-duty flat-top grill. Our hand-cut fries are cooked to order in 100% cold-pressed peanut oil, and our burgers are grilled fresh every time. We also offer handspun milkshakes with mix-ins like fresh strawberries, Oreo cookies, and Reese’s cups.”
The Five Guys menu is intentionally simple, featuring burgers, hot dogs, fries, and milkshakes. While the streamlined menu allows for a focus on quality, it also contributes to the higher price point. “Our regular burger comes with two juicy patties,” Tutora noted. “My favorite is the bacon cheeseburger with all the fixings, paired with an order of Cajun fries. My kids love our all-beef Kosher-style hot dogs and Five Guys fries.”
Tutora is also eager to build a connection with the Bellevue community. “We’re excited to partner with local sports teams, schools, and organizations for fundraisers,” Tutora said. “Our Marketing Director is focused on building relationships within the community. We’re all about hosting events, catering, and supporting local causes.
While Tutora and his team are eager to serve Bellevue, some residents remain cautious about whether the new Five Guys location will truly add value to the community, given its national chain status and premium pricing. Still, for those willing to pay a bit more for a fresh, made-to-order burger, Five Guys could be a welcome addition to the Bellevue dining scene.
