In which Virginia county did the first Five Guys restaurant open?

The first Five Guys restaurant opened in Arlington County, Virginia.

Janie and Jerry Murrell founded Five Guys in 1986 with their sons Jim, Matt, Chad, and Ben. The original restaurant was in Arlington’s Westmont Shopping Center, in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The family-owned concept initially focused on burgers, fries, and a limited menu rather than rapid national expansion.

The name referred to the four sons and their father; a fifth son, Tyler, was born later and eventually joined the business. The first location later closed, while the company continued opening restaurants nearby, including locations in Alexandria and Springfield.

Five Guys began franchising in 2003, transforming the small Virginia operation into an international chain. Arlington County is sometimes confused with neighboring Fairfax, Loudoun, or Prince William counties, but the company’s own origin story places the first restaurant in Arlington.