Does Five Guys Drug Test?
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Five Guys generally does not drug test applicants for restaurant jobs. Crew members, cashiers, and cooks report no pre-employment screening. Because many locations are franchises, a rare owner may test, but pre-employment drug testing is not part of the standard hiring process.
Five Guys does not typically drug test applicants for restaurant positions. Crew members, cashiers, grill cooks, and shift leads consistently report no pre-employment drug test — the hiring process is usually a quick application, a short interview, and a start date. Five Guys is a fast-casual burger-and-fries chain with more than 1,700 locations, and many are run by independent franchise operators, so any drug policy is ultimately set by the local owner. In practice, the overwhelming majority do not screen restaurant applicants. Even without pre-employment testing, Five Guys — like most food-service employers — reserves the right to test after a workplace accident or on reasonable suspicion that someone is impaired on the job. Random testing of crew is uncommon. If you are applying for a standard restaurant role, you should not expect a drug test as part of getting hired, though a small number of franchises or corporate/support roles could differ.
Drug Testing by Position
| Position | Tested? | Test Type | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Member / Grill Cook | No | N/A | Post-accident, reasonable suspicion only |
| Cashier | No | N/A | Post-accident, reasonable suspicion only |
| Shift Lead | No | N/A | Post-accident, reasonable suspicion only |
| Assistant / General Manager | Rarely | Urine (if tested) | Varies by franchise owner |
| Corporate / Support Office | Sometimes | Urine (if tested) | Pre-employment (position-dependent) |
Drug Test Type and Process
For nearly all Five Guys restaurant jobs there is no drug test. Employees across Indeed, Zippia, and forum reports describe a simple process: apply online or in person, interview with the manager or franchise operator, and get a start date — no screening involved. In the uncommon event a franchise owner or a corporate role does test, it would be a standard urine panel at a third-party clinic screening for marijuana (THC), cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and PCP. Because many Five Guys locations are independently owned, there is no single company-wide drug-testing rule for restaurants, and the local owner decides. Testing after hire is far more common than testing before it — most locations only screen following a workplace injury or when a manager has specific, reasonable suspicion of on-the-job impairment.
Marijuana Policy
Because Five Guys restaurants generally do not drug test at hiring, off-duty marijuana use is usually not a barrier to being hired as crew. There is no chain-wide pre-employment THC screen, which is why Five Guys is often described as relatively lenient compared with many employers. Still, Five Guys expects a drug-free workplace, so using or being impaired on the job is prohibited and can lead to a post-incident test or termination. Marijuana laws and workplace protections vary by state, and franchise owners set their own rules, so a location in a strict jurisdiction could differ. If a post-accident or reasonable-suspicion test is ever administered, marijuana would be among the substances screened. For a typical restaurant applicant, casual off-duty use rarely affects hiring.
Tips for Applicants
Five Guys is a strong choice if you want fast-casual restaurant work without a pre-employment drug test in the way. Apply through the official Five Guys careers site or in person at a local restaurant, since franchisees often hire directly and move quickly. Expect a brief interview focused on availability, work ethic, and teamwork rather than screening — the brand values speed, cleanliness, and hustle on a busy line. Because locations are independently owned, ask the manager directly about any drug-test policy if you want certainty, as it can vary by owner and state. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you; owners have discretion and many hire people rebuilding their lives. Highlight any prior kitchen, grill, or customer-service experience, and show you can handle a fast pace.
Recent Policy Changes
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Five Guys drug test at hiring?
- No, not for typical restaurant jobs. Crew members, cashiers, and cooks report no pre-employment drug test. Because many locations are franchises, a rare owner could test, but screening is not part of the standard hiring process.
- Does Five Guys drug test for weed?
- Generally no. Most locations do not screen for marijuana or anything else before hiring restaurant staff, so off-duty use rarely affects applicants. If a post-accident or reasonable-suspicion test is ever given, THC would be included.
- What kind of drug test does Five Guys use?
- In the rare case a location tests, it is a standard urine panel at a third-party clinic screening for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and PCP. Most restaurant applicants will not encounter any test.
- Do Five Guys franchises have different drug policies?
- Yes. Many Five Guys restaurants are independently owned, so each operator sets its own hiring and drug-test rules. The vast majority do not test crew applicants, but if you want certainty, ask the specific location's manager.
- Does Five Guys do random drug testing?
- No. Five Guys restaurants do not run routine random drug tests of crew. Any testing is generally limited to after a workplace accident or when there is reasonable suspicion of impairment on the job.
- Does Five Guys drug test managers?
- Rarely. Assistant and general manager roles are occasionally screened at the franchise owner's discretion, but many managers report no pre-employment test. Corporate and support office roles are more likely to be screened than restaurant roles.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Five Guys — Careers
Official Five Guys job portal for restaurant, management, and support office positions
- SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service: 1-800-662-4357
- NORML — State marijuana laws
State-by-state guide to marijuana legalization and workplace protections
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