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Wisdom from a Hamburger Joint

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President

Five Guys is a hamburger joint.  It's not a fine dining restaurant.  Not a fast food place.  Not a casual dining venue.  It's a good old-fashioned joint.

When I want a juicy hamburger with all the toppings and some darn good french fries, there's only one place (besides the backyard barbeque) where I'll go.  That's Five Guys!

This morning after reading Margaret Woda's terrific post about customer service: 10 Things I Learned About Selling Real Estate from Buying a Car Today, I immediately thought about other businesses from where I've learned valuable selling lessons.

The first one that came to mind was Five Guys.  In each of their stores, they have the following sign prominently posted for all their customers to read:

Five Guys Customer Creed

It's a simple thank you, but an important philosophy.  If this can make you feel appreciated while eating a hamburger or hot dog, imagine what following this same creed can do for your business.

Incorporate some business wisdom from a hamburger joint and watch the results in your relationships and your sales.

Sabrina Kelley
ERA Herman Group Real Estate - Woodland Park, CO
Woodland Park Colorado Mountain Homes and Land

Anyone is a solid professional knows that five brothers is right to the core.

Nov 25, 2008 03:53 PM
Pat Tasker
Shorewest Realtors - Germantown, WI
Your Milwaukee Metro Area Agent (WI)

Don't you just wish everyone had that understanding?

 

Nov 25, 2008 04:02 PM
Marcia Kramarz
Re/Max Executive Realty - Medway, MA
CDPE,LMC,CBR

No kidding - Now that's Wisdom - Probably part of the reason of the success of the 5 Guys!  And you're right - it's wisdom that can be applied to any but certainly our buisiness!

Nov 25, 2008 09:18 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

We have one opening in our area.  I stopped and took some pictures one day for some reason and then never did anything with the pictures. 

I'll be looking for that sign,

Nov 25, 2008 09:45 PM
Morgan Evans
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

I've been to Five Guys in both D.C. and Manhattan, I have not found their burgers and fries to be my favorite, but the approach they have is very commendable.  I hope I can get that same point across to my customers.

Nov 25, 2008 10:01 PM
sandy reid
Westwood Metes & Bounds - New Paltz, NY
period homes, second home market

Amen!  This is what is all about.  Being of service to another human being.  Great analogy comparing this place to your business.  Thank you for sharing.  Best of the holiday.

Sandy Reid

Nov 25, 2008 10:19 PM
Diane Bell, Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton
Charter 1 Real Estate, Hilton Head, Bluffton, SC - Hilton Head Island, SC

I've never heard of "Five Guys" but it sounds like they really hae their act together.  Nothing like a good hamburger joint.

Nov 25, 2008 11:18 PM
Sonja Adams
Keller Williams Realty - Purcellville, VA

I have several Five Guys corporate employees who have bought homes through me or are looking..they are a stellar group of folks and are extremely dedicated to their company.

Nov 26, 2008 12:48 AM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Service is where it's at...I'll have mine with everything, please!

Nov 26, 2008 01:21 AM
Kris Kombrink ~ The Kombrink Team
RE/MAX Excels - Chicago's Western Suburbs - Geneva, IL

Funny where wisdom can be found, isn't it Brian?  A nice reminder for all of us to say thanks to the people (clients) that make us able to do what we do.

Nov 26, 2008 01:48 AM
James Wexler
wexzilla.com - Scottsdale, AZ

its amazing to see a sign like this with such a simple but powerful message, cannot believe more restaraunts and business dont have similar signs

Nov 26, 2008 02:31 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Yes, I agree the hamburgers and fries are great at "Five Guys".  Those two little words "Thank you" means so much and can make a person's day.   So, thank you Brian for this post!

Nov 26, 2008 02:43 AM
Cat Zwicker, CRS
Desert Sky Real Estate, LLC - Redmond, OR
Down to Earth Service; Out of this World Results!

Short, Sweet and to the point!  Those are the best messages... now about overnight shipping the burger and fries?

Nov 26, 2008 03:54 AM
x Bye Bye
x - Bay Minette, AL
Delete Account

Brian - Great post.  I have not eaten at Five Guys yet; but, after reading their statement in your post - I am going to change that tomorrow at lunch.

 

Nov 26, 2008 05:47 AM
Mindy Sylvester
MVP Realty - Naples, FL
Naples Fl Real Estate

Five Guys is awesome!!! If anyone hasn't been there yet - GO!  And what a great message!

Nov 26, 2008 06:03 AM
Marian Gregor-Ann
Keller Williams - Ann Arbor, MI
Arbor area Real Estate

Brian, It's such a simple 'mission statement'. So simple, yet so true. I'm glad that you posted this!

Nov 26, 2008 08:13 AM
James C. Johnson
Legacy Real Estate - Sioux Falls, SD

Awesome - we all need to take this outlook!

Nov 26, 2008 08:39 AM
Tim Bradley
Contour Investment Properties - Jackson Hole, WY
Commercial Real Estate Expert in Jackson Hole, WY

An outstanding reminder of the role of customer service - thank you!

Nov 26, 2008 08:50 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate

Good stuff Brian. How we feel and how we make our customers/clients feel is what it is all about.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Nov 26, 2008 08:56 AM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Okay, so I'm a little slow... I just came across this post with your link to one of mine.  A belated thank you!

Jul 20, 2010 01:47 AM