Why Five Guys Is So Careful About Where Its Potatoes Come From

Five Guys is famous for many things, from its made-to-order burgers to its simple menu that focuses on quality ingredients. However, one of the restaurant chain’s most recognizable features is its fries. Customers who order fries at Five Guys often notice that the portion is much larger than expected. A regular order may look reasonable in the tall paper cup, but the bag usually contains extra loose fries.

The generous serving size is part of the Five Guys experience, but the popularity of its fries also comes from the company’s careful approach to selecting and preparing potatoes. Five Guys doesn’t use just any potatoes. The company pays close attention to where it grows its potatoes, which varieties it uses, and the preparation methods that create the final product.

Why Idaho Potatoes Matter to Five Guys

The majority of Five Guys’ potatoes come from Idaho, a state widely recognized for its potato production. More specifically, the company prefers potatoes grown in Idaho areas located north of the 42nd parallel. This preference reflects growing conditions that produce potatoes with the qualities needed for good fries.

Potatoes grow particularly well with warm days and cool nights. During warm days, potato plants use photosynthesis to create sugars. During cooler nights, these sugars move into the potato and convert into starch. Starch is an important part of a potato’s structure and contributes to the texture and taste that people expect from fried potatoes.

The climate found in many areas of Idaho above the 42nd parallel provides more consistent conditions for producing potatoes with these characteristics. For Five Guys, sourcing potatoes from these regions helps the company maintain the quality and consistency of its fries across its restaurants.

A Focus on Potato Quality and Consistency

Five Guys’ attention to potatoes reflects the company’s broader approach to food preparation. Jerry Murrell, his wife Janie, and their five sons founded the restaurant in 1986. The name “Five Guys” comes from the five sons involved in the family business.

From the beginning, the company has emphasized careful preparation of its menu items. While Five Guys is well known for its burgers, the restaurant has also built a strong reputation around its fries. The process behind those fries involves decisions about potato varieties, sourcing locations, and cooking methods.

According to Jerry Murrell, Five Guys uses Burbank russet potatoes from Idaho for most of the year. Burbanks are a russet potato variety commonly used for fries because of their texture and starch content. These qualities help create fries that can crisp up on the outside while staying soft inside.

However, the company does not use Idaho potatoes year-round. For about two months, Idaho potatoes can become too soft for Five Guys’ frying process. Softer potatoes can absorb more peanut oil during cooking, which affects the quality of the finished fries.

During this period, Five Guys uses what it calls “gap potatoes,” specifically Norkotah russet potatoes from Washington. Like Burbank, Norkotahs are a russet variety and are selected because they work well for producing fries.

The Process Behind Five Guys Fries

Selecting the right potatoes is only one part of creating Five Guys fries. The company also follows specific preparation methods before the potatoes reach customers.

Five Guys cuts its potatoes by hand rather than using only pre-cut fries. This approach allows the company to prepare fries directly from whole potatoes. After cutting, the fries are blanched in water before cooking.

Blanching is an important step because it helps remove excess starch from the potato surface. If too much starch remains, the outside of the fries may cook too quickly and burn before the inside has finished cooking. By blanching the fries, Five Guys helps create a more balanced cooking process.

The restaurant also fries its potatoes in peanut oil. Because peanut oil is part of the process, selecting potatoes with the right characteristics matters. Potatoes that are too soft or contain too much moisture may not produce the same texture after frying.

The combination of potato selection, hand-cutting, blanching, and frying methods helps create the fries that customers associate with Five Guys.

Why Customers Receive So Many Fries

One of the most memorable things about ordering fries at Five Guys is the portion size. Customers often receive much more than what initially appears in the cup because employees add extra fries directly into the bag.

This practice is intentional. Jerry Murrell has explained that the company wants customers to feel they are getting good value from their purchase. Rather than limiting the serving to what fits in the cup, Five Guys adds an extra scoop.

The oversized portions have become part of the restaurant’s identity. For many customers, opening a Five Guys bag and finding extra fries is an expected part of the experience.

The Role of Farming in a Restaurant’s Food Quality

The story of Five Guys’ fries shows how agricultural choices can influence the food people enjoy in restaurants. Details such as where a potato is grown, the climate it experiences, and the variety selected can all affect the final product.

Five Guys’ focus on Idaho potatoes, along with its seasonal use of Washington-grown potatoes, demonstrates the company’s effort to maintain consistent results throughout the year. The restaurant’s approach goes beyond simply buying potatoes and turning them into fries. It considers how farming conditions and preparation methods work together to create a specific taste and texture.

Although fries may seem like a simple menu item, producing a consistent product takes attention to detail. From choosing potatoes grown in suitable regions to carefully preparing them before frying, Five Guys treats its fries as an important part of the overall dining experience.

For a restaurant known for its burgers, the care it takes with potatoes has made its fries one of its most recognizable offerings. The company’s focus on quality ingredients and preparation explains why its fries have become such a memorable part of the Five Guys brand.