Five Guys Employee Reviews in Birmingham, AL

Across the two employee reviews from Five Guys locations in Alabama – Birmingham and Auburn – a consistent theme emerges regarding the demanding nature of the First-Line Supervisor roles.
Both reviews highlight significant operational pressures, primarily stemming from consistent staffing shortages and extended work hours.
The Birmingham review specifically points to a discrepancy between the high workload and minimum wage compensation, leading to potential burnout and a perception of being undervalued, particularly due to management’s seemingly contradictory behavior (paid retreats while advising gym cancellations).
The Auburn review similarly emphasizes extended shifts and reactive management, focused on addressing immediate crises rather than proactive team development.
A recurring concern is the lack of a supportive management structure, with feedback often being primarily negative, reflecting a disconnect between leadership and the team.
Both locations struggle with maintaining consistent staffing levels, leading to increased responsibilities for the supervisors and contributing to a stressful work environment.
While compensation is considered ‘adequate’ in the Auburn review, the overall experience is hampered by operational inefficiencies and a reactive management style.
Furthermore, a critical issue identified across both reviews is the apparent misalignment between management practices and employee expectations.
The Birmingham review’s observation of management participation in paid retreats while simultaneously advising employees to cancel gym memberships underscores a lack of genuine support and potentially exploitative practices.
This, combined with extended hours and a reactive management style, creates a challenging and potentially unsustainable work experience.
The reliance on the supervisors to manage underperforming team members also suggests a need for improved training or performance management strategies.
The roles demand strong operational oversight and management skills, but the current environment appears to be struggling to support these demands effectively.
Finally, both reviews implicitly suggest a need for improved communication and transparency.
While the supervisors are tasked with managing a team under pressure, a clearer understanding of company policies and expectations would likely enhance the employee experience.
Addressing the staffing shortages and fostering a more proactive management approach would likely significantly improve the employee experience and contribute to a more stable and productive work environment.