Five Guys just made the one change nobody wanted, and customers are saying it kills the only reason to pay $30 for a burger

TikToker Indy Cree (@indy.cree) posted a video showing a small brown bag of fries from Five Guys, pointing out that the chain appears to have switched from its well-known white fry cups to paper bags. The video has since gathered over 1 million views. Her on-screen text read, “Want to know how bad the economy is doing… Five Guys using fry bags now.”

For years, Five Guys has been known for its generous fry portions. Workers are trained to overfill cups so that extra fries spill into the main bag. According to Brobible, the company even states on its website that “providing an extra scoop of fries has been a tradition at Five Guys since we opened our doors in 1986.”

Five Guys responded to the backlash through an Instagram post, saying, “We’re still using the same fresh-cut potatoes and generous portions, but this new packaging helps fries hold their texture.” A spokesperson also confirmed in an email that the extra scoops “are absolutely not going away.” The new bags are made from biodegradable natural kraft paper, and are food-grade, grease-proof, BPA- and PFAS-free, and FDA-approved.

The backlash shows how much small changes can damage customer trust in a brand

Despite the company’s assurances, many customers and workers are not happy with the change. On Reddit, one Five Guys worker posted a side-by-side comparison of the old cup and the new bag. A commenter wrote, “We need to start boycotting these places and demand the same sizes as we used to get, especially if they want to keep charging us more!”

One person wrote, “Last time I went I had quite a bit less fries, was wondering why and never noticed the cup/bag thing.” It appears some workers are not filling the bags to the same level they once filled the cups. This kind of viral food frustration is part of a broader wave of TikTok trends forcing people to confront everyday choices.

This situation has also brought up the topic of “shrinkflation,” where companies keep prices the same but quietly reduce portion sizes. Other chains like Raising Cane’s, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Cheesecake Factory have faced similar criticism. The US inflation rate currently sits at around 2.4%.

Comments on Cree’s video on TikTok showed a wide range of reactions. One viewer said, “I knew I wasn’t going crazy when I went a few months ago and swore there were less fries in the bag!” A 2nd comment wrote, “No point in Five guys cause the price is astronomical.” Another added, “The overfilled fries were purposely designed to make customers feel good. All these brands are turning soulless.”

The way online communities quickly dissect and debate these changes is similar to how students are now sabotaging their own academic work to protect themselves in a shifting landscape.

Cree, who has visited Five Guys for years with her husband, said in an email that while there were some fries at the bottom of her bag, it was a “dramatic difference” from what she was used to. She hopes the brand will bring back the cups.