Five Guys Switches to Fry Bags
Five Guys is making a significant change to how they package their famous hand-cut fries, transitioning from traditional fry cups to specially designed fry bags at locations nationwide. The burger chain’s decision focuses on maintaining freshness, reducing environmental impact, and improving the customer experience for both dine-in and delivery orders.
Why Five Guys Changed from Fry Cups to Fry Bags
Five Guys made the switch to fry bags after extensive evaluation of their food preparation and serving methods. The change addresses multiple concerns: reducing packaging waste, preserving the freshness and quality of hand-cut fries, and improving the delivery experience for customers. The new bags provide better air circulation compared to cups, which helps maintain fry quality during transport and takeout orders. The grease-resistant paper material actively wicks excess oil away from the fries, resulting in a crispier product. Customers may notice more oil on the exterior of the bag, which indicates the paper is successfully removing grease from the fries themselves.
What Materials Are Used in Five Guys Fry Bags
The new fry bags are constructed from biodegradable natural kraft paper that meets strict food safety standards. The packaging material is food-grade, grease-proof, and completely free of harmful chemicals including BPA (Bisphenyl A) and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The bags comply with all regulatory requirements in both the United States and Canada while using less material overall compared to the previous fry cups.
How Five Guys Tested the New Fry Bag Design
Five Guys initially tested fry bags during their expansion into South Korea, where strict packaging waste regulations required alternative container solutions. The Korean market testing revealed that bags not only reduced waste but also maintained fry freshness more effectively than cups. The increased air circulation prevented steam buildup that typically makes fries soggy, while the tear-resistant material proved more durable during delivery transport. The success of these tests led Five Guys to implement the bags across their North American locations.
How Fry Bags Improve Five Guys Fry Quality
The fry bag design enhances product quality through improved airflow and oil management. The lightweight, durable paper construction prevents fresh-cut fries from becoming soggy during transport while absorbing excess grease without losing structural integrity. The porous paper pulls oil away from the fries, keeping them fresher and crispier. This oil absorption is particularly important for Five Guys’ hand-cut potatoes fried in pure peanut oil, ensuring consistent quality in every fry.
Five Guys Fry Portion Sizes Remain Unchanged
Customers will receive identical portion sizes in the new fry bags as they did with cups. All sizes—Little, Regular, and Large—maintain the same volume, including the generous extra scoops Five Guys is known for providing. The company’s Fry Bag Expert Nick McDuffee and his team created exact replicas of existing fry cups using paper, scissors, and tape to ensure accurate sizing. They brought these prototypes to vendors to guarantee the bags would hold the same volume as cups, accounting for natural stretching when filled with fries.
Available Five Guys Fry Bag Sizes
Five Guys fry bags are available in three sizes matching the previous cup options: Little, Regular, and Large. The sizing structure remains completely unchanged, with only the container format being different.
How to Properly Use Five Guys Fry Bags
The fry bags are designed for single-use only and should not be reused for food safety and quality reasons. Customers should not place fry bags in microwaves, freezers, or ovens for reheating purposes. The bags should be discarded after the initial meal consumption.
Five Guys Fry Bag Rollout Timeline and Availability
Five Guys is implementing a gradual rollout of fry bags at locations nationwide over the coming months. The phased approach allows the company to ensure smooth transitions while maintaining quality standards at each restaurant. Some locations have already completed the switch to bags, while others will transition in upcoming weeks and months. Customers can check with their local Five Guys restaurant to determine if the location has made the packaging change.
What Remains the Same About Five Guys Fries
The fry preparation process remains completely unchanged despite the new packaging. Five Guys continues to hand-cut fresh potatoes in-store daily, fry them in pure peanut oil using their signature boardwalk-style double-frying technique, and make every order fresh to order. The only modification is the container—all other aspects of the Five Guys fries experience remain identical to what customers have always enjoyed.
Where to Find More Information About Five Guys Menu Changes
Customers with additional questions about fry bags or other menu items have several resources available. Five Guys maintains a comprehensive FAQ page addressing common questions about food, ingredients, and cooking methods. Restaurant crew members can answer specific questions during visits, and customers can experience the new bags firsthand by placing delivery or pickup orders through Five Guys’ ordering system.
The post Five Guys Fry Bags: Same Fries, New Container appeared first on Five Guys.
