Five Guys Revives Free Burger Promotion Following Anniversary Chaos
Alexandria, Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
To compensate for a chaotic initial launch, Five Guys is reviving its buy-one-get-one burger deal and awarding $1.5 million in bonuses to employees who managed the overwhelming demand.
The Initial Breakdown and Employee Compensation
The operational breakdown that necessitated this redo occurred on February 17, 2026, when the privately held fast-food chain initially launched its 40th-anniversary buy-one-get-one (BOGO) promotion [3][8][GPT]. The company drastically underestimated consumer demand, resulting in severe inventory shortages and wait times approaching an hour at some locations [1][2]. The operational strain forced certain restaurants to close early, while digital platforms failed to process redemptions reliably for many users [2]. Acknowledging the chaotic rollout, CEO Jerry Murrell admitted the company ‘screwed the first one up’ and recognized that frontline employees bore the brunt of the overwhelming turnout [1].