Five Guys Files Plans for Downtown Raleigh Location
The national chain aims to occupy a space on Fayetteville Street, adding to its regional presence in the city.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Five Guys Burgers and Fries has filed plans to open a new location at 442 Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh. The proposed interior renovation includes additional storage and walk-in cooler space.
Why it matters
The entry of a major national fast-casual chain onto Fayetteville Street highlights shifting commercial utilization in the downtown core. For local operators, the arrival of a national tenant in a space managed by a large real estate investment trust often signals evolving expectations for footprint renovations and building utility.
Five Guys is targeting a space at 442 Fayetteville Street, expanding its Raleigh footprint following the recent launch of a location at Crabtree Valley Mall. The scope of the project and total investment figure remain under city review.
The players
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
A national fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in made-to-order burgers and fries with an expansive franchise network.
Highwoods Properties, Inc.
A publicly traded real estate investment trust listed on the New York Stock Exchange that manages commercial office and retail properties.
The details
The restaurant chain submitted sketch plans to the city to facilitate an interior renovation of the Highwoods Properties, Inc.-owned building. The design specifically calls for the build-out of rear space to accommodate a walk-in cooler and essential storage, a common requirement for adapting historic or legacy downtown retail footprints for modern fast-casual operational standards.
Timeline
October 19, 2026: The company filed renovation plans with the city of Raleigh.
November 4, 2026: The city is scheduled to conduct a formal review of the renovation plans.
Market Landscape
This move reflects the ongoing trend of national quick-service chains targeting dense urban centers after securing market share in regional malls. It mirrors a broader strategy of diversifying site types to capture both commuter foot traffic and traditional retail center demand.
Operators in the downtown district should watch for increased foot traffic and potential changes in utility demand following the arrival of a national tenant. Those planning interior renovations should also note how the city handles the permit requirements for the cooler and storage additions requested in these plans.
The takeaway
National chains are increasingly betting on urban cores, signaling that downtown infrastructure is currently competitive for high-volume retail. Operators should monitor the November 4 planning review to see how the city evaluates the specific structural requirements for this new site.
What happens next
The city of Raleigh is scheduled to review the renovation plans for 442 Fayetteville Street on November 4, 2026.
Further reading
For more on downtown business development, see Raleigh Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The News&Observer.
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