Holy let down batman.
I totally got sucked into the "Five Guys hype": reading the owner's story about opening the restaurant with his kids: how he doesn't spend much on the restaurants themselves, but instead focuses on the quality of the food: How they don't deliver, that nothing is frozen, etc. But above all how good their food is.
Mr. Boss of all Five Guys franchises: Please visit your restaurants.
In and Out = better than Five guys
Smashburger = better than Five guys
Delux = better than Five guys
Fat Burger = better than Five guys
McDonalds = better than Five guys
Perfect (twice fried) french fries? Soggy mess.
Fresh ingredients? I can't disprove this, but to cook said ingredients to death and then dress them up with "as many condiments as I want" ? No high five for you. It's like offering me fancy ketchup with my well-well done filet mignon. (though to be fair, most places cook everything to well done... it was just a mess here though)
And the kiss? I paid 5 bucks for said tasteless krabby patty of woe. I went in to the restaurant thinking:
WOW ME 5 GUYS, FUCKING WOW ME.
Thats all I wanted! Give me a reason to come back! I can't believe you formula for success is to bank on the masses having mediocre taste buds. Can't say this isn't the right formula for success, but come-fucking-on!