Five Guys fries illustration
National chain · Est. 1986

Five Guys

Three ingredients. Dedicated fryer. That's the whole story.

Last verified April 18, 2026 Recipe consistency U.S. & Canada aligned
§ 01

At a glance

Vegetarian
Suitable
Potatoes, peanut oil, salt — no animal inputs.
Vegan
Suitable
No dairy, egg, or animal-derived ingredients.
Gluten-Free
Suitable
No gluten; dedicated fryer, not shared with buns or breading.
Dairy-Free
Suitable
No milk or milk derivatives.
Kosher
Not certified
Ingredients kosher-compatible; no kosher certification.
Halal
Not certified
Ingredients halal-compatible; no halal certification.
If you're hunting for the closest thing to "just a fried potato" at a national chain, this is it. The ingredient list is three items long. The fryer doesn't touch anything but fries. The one meaningful caveat — peanut oil — is a medical question, not an ingredient question.
§ 02

Ingredients, line by line

Five Guys Style (the classic)

  • Potatoes Fine — Hand-cut daily in each restaurant. Look for the Potato Board in-store — it lists the day's farm source.
  • Refined peanut oil Peanut — 100% refined peanut oil. Highly refined oils have the allergenic proteins removed; generally tolerated by most with peanut allergies, but not guaranteed. See §04.
  • Salt Fine — Added after frying; you can ask for none.
Potatoes, Refined Peanut Oil, Salt.

Cajun Style (the seasoned variant)

  • Potatoes, refined peanut oil, salt Same base
  • Cajun seasoning Plant-based — Garlic, spices (paprika, oregano, red pepper), salt, onion. Sometimes includes celery or canola oil depending on supplier.
Potatoes, Refined Peanut Oil, Salt, Cajun Seasoning: Garlic, Spices (Including Paprika, Oregano, Red Pepper), Salt, Onion.
§ 03

Oil & fryer setup

Primary oil
100% refined peanut oil
Five Guys is one of the few national chains that fries exclusively in peanut oil. No vegetable blend, no beef tallow, no canola.
Fryer setup
Dedicated
Per Five Guys: "fryers that cook absolutely nothing else." No breaded items, no fish, no onion rings share the oil.
Cross-contamination
Kitchen-level only
Buns (containing gluten) are handled in the same kitchen. Ask staff for a glove change if you have celiac disease or a severe allergy.
Cooking method
Double-fried
Potatoes are soaked in water, then fried in two stages — a low-temperature cook followed by a high-temperature crisp. This is the reason the outside is crunchy and the inside is soft like a mashed potato.
§ 04

About that peanut oil

This is the question Five Guys gets more than any other, and the answer has nuance. The oil used is refined peanut oil. Refining strips out the protein fractions that cause allergic reactions — which is why the FDA does not classify highly refined peanut oil as a major allergen, and why major allergy organizations generally consider it safe for most people with peanut allergies.

That said — Five Guys sells bulk peanuts at the counter, displays them prominently, and uses peanut butter as a milkshake base. The restaurant environment has peanut dust. The fries themselves may be lower-risk than you expect; the room may not be.

If you have a peanut allergy Refined peanut oil and unrefined (cold-pressed, "gourmet") peanut oil are not the same thing. Five Guys uses refined. Consult your allergist before visiting, and discuss the difference between oral oil exposure and airborne protein exposure. Do not rely on this page in place of medical guidance.
§ 05

Top-9 allergen status

✓ Milk
✓ Wheat
✓ Egg
✓ Soy
✗ Peanut
✓ Tree Nut
✓ Fish
✓ Shellfish
✓ Sesame

Peanut: "contains" reflects cooking medium. The FDA does not classify refined peanut oil itself as a major allergen, but Five Guys' broader environment contains peanut proteins.

§ 06

In the wild

The famous "they always give you more than you ordered" scoop is real.

Photo coming soon
§ 07

Sources

  1. 01
    Five Guys — U.S. Nutrition & Allergen Guide (PDF) Primary source · Official supplier-level ingredient statements
  2. 02
    Five Guys — Nutrition & Allergy Information Primary source · Confirms dedicated fryer and "no gluten" claim
  3. 03
    Five Guys — FAQ page Primary source · Notes refined peanut oil, double-fry method, dedicated fryer policy
  4. 04
    Five Guys — About Our Food Primary source · Confirms three-stage frying and daily potato sourcing
Important — read before you eat Ingredient formulations change, sometimes without public announcement. Kitchen cross-contamination risk depends on the location, the time of day, and the staff on shift. For severe allergies, confirm ingredients at ordering. This page is an independent reference — not medical advice.
§ 08

Compare with other chains

McDonald's

National · The complicated contrast
Vegetarian ✗ Vegan ✗ Gluten-Free ✗ Dairy-Free ✗
Vegetable blend + beef flavor →

All chains

27 chains tracked
Browse the Frypedia →