Five Guys burger chain opening at Plaza Singapura Dec 16

[Update, Dec 13]:

American burger chain Five Guys' first-ever outlet in Singapore at Plaza Singapura will open next Monday (Dec 16), the company confirmed during a media preview today (Dec 13).

The fast food outlet will take over the ground level of the mall near the main atrium, which will have both indoor and outdoor seating options. 

Prices range from $11 for a Little Hamburger with a single beef patty, to $15 for the regular double-patty Cheeseburger and $17 for the Bacon Cheeseburger. Fries will cost an extra $7 for the smallest portion.

The chain is brought over by the Zouk Group. In a statement a few months back, its chief executive officer, Andrew Li said: “We want our first-ever outlet for Five Guys to be in the heart of the city, where it is convenient, easily accessible, and with high traffic complemented by a great tenant mix in the vicinity."
 

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[Original article, June 12]

The rumours are true.

After New York burger chain Shake Shack opened at Jewel Changi Airport to much aplomb and snaking queues, its East Coast competitor, Five Guys, is set to make a similar splash by the end of this year. 

There'd been talk since early May that the American burger franchise would be opening a branch here.

Now it's been confirmed that the chain would be setting up shop, and it's all thanks to lifestyle company Zouk Group.

The exact location of the joint remains a mystery, except that it will be in a "central" area, said the company's CEO Andrew Li to The Straits Times.

This will be Five Guys' second outpost in Asia - its first opened in Hong Kong last November. It has around 1,600 locations worldwide and counting.

So, what's the hype?

The Virginia-based chain made its name after toppling In-N-Out from the No. 1 spot of America's favourite burger brands in 2017. And it held its spot the following year. 

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Its style, according to Business Insider, is that of a no frills, no fuss hole-in-the-wall deli. And the best thing is, burgers are customisable and all toppings are free - so you can get all the mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions and mushrooms your heart desires. 

The menu will reportedly be the same as that in the US and Hong Kong - which probably means large serving sizes, as regular Five Guys burgers are stacked with two patties. The largest-sized burger in the US comes up to just below US$9 (S$12.30).

However, the outlet in Singapore won't be Halal-certified as it will serve craft beer. 

While long lines are for certain, whether it can rival Shake Shack's hours-long queue remains to be seen. All we know is, we can't wait.

candicecai@asiaone.com