Five Guys and a Crowd

After months of anticipation, Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened this morning at 11 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony. It might have been a bit early for lunch, but that didn't dissuade loyal fans of the national chain who couldn't wait for Westport's latest burger spot to open.

The Marona family of Newtown acquired this Post Road site (formerly occupied by Totally Kool) last summer and began construction about 12 weeks ago. They also own Five Guys franchises in Newtown and Brookfield and plan to open seven more – ten stores in all — in ten years.

"We'd been trying to get into Westport for a while, but it took some time to find just the right spot with enough parking," says Nick Marona, 26, who co-manages this branch with his sister, Dana, 24. They'd originally hoped to open before Christmas but experienced a few minor construction delays.

Their 47 new employees have been in training for the past week. In preparation for this morning, they cut 600 pounds of fresh russet potatoes and shaped 350 pounds worth of hamburger patties by hand. By 11:55, they served their 100th customer.

Eli Carter, a 13-year-old from Weston was determined to be the first customer of them all. His mother, Susan, was his partner in crime. She'd been on the phone calling the corporate office and the Westport restaurant before it opened.

"He dreamed this up with a friend," she said. "Fast food isn't in our vocabulary, but Eli has been a fan of Five Guys and how better to prove his loyalty?" After speaking to Susan Carter on the phone, Dana Marona even invited Eli to the friends-and-family-only event last night.

Eli convinced his father – a health nut currently on a dietary cleanse – to let him skip school so he could get his hands on a made-to-order cheeseburger (or two) and an overflowing cup of fries. "I go to the Five Guys in New Haven after swim meets and I just love it," said the 8th grader. "I knew it was an opportunity to be the first. And my friends will be so jealous."

By 10:30 a.m. the Carters were in line, waiting for the doors to open. He was, in fact, the initial customer at this 553rd store in the franchise. He came prepared, with a framed 'first dollar bill' to present to the Maronas.

Not everyone was delighted for Eli. David Gore, a Westport resident who works in real estate, arrived at 10:40, and was dismayed to see the line out front. "I was supposed to be the first, but this kid had a deal with the owners," said Gore. "Then there were a bunch of college kids in front of me who were skipping school, so that's not legit." Gore was also the original customer at the Westport Crate & Barrel and the Trader Joe's in Darien. He might not have been the first patron today, but he was the first to order a hot dog. "It was the best dog I've ever had," he said. "I didn't even want a hamburger anyway."

Five Guys is located at 534 Post Road next to Westport Pancake House and is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.