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Five Guys Nears Opening at Universal CityWalk, Staff Training Spotted

Five Guys is coming to Universal CityWalk, and it is close.

Universal Orlando Resort announced that the restaurant would be joining the restaurants on the upper level, across from Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches, in the space that used to be the Burger King Whopper Bar. The announcement said “coming soon” and nothing more.

No opening date. No posted hours as of September 21.

Then staff training was spotted inside on the evening of September 23, along with a sign.

“Five Guys Halloween Horror Nights, Open Until 1 AM.”

The Chocolate Factory restaurant shines along the riverside at dusk, its inviting lights echoing the vibrant energy of Universal CityWalk. Next door, a brightly illuminated building adds to the excitement of this entertainment hub, where crew members are trained to deliver standout service on par with favorites like Five Guys.
Credit: Erica Lauren, Disney Dining

That Sign Narrows the Window

Think about what it is advertising.

Halloween Horror Nights 2026 runs select nights through November 1. After that date, a sign about HHN hours means nothing.

Nobody prints event signage for a restaurant that will not be open during the event.

Add staff training on the floor, which usually comes right before a soft opening, and the timeline gets short. Universal has confirmed nothing, but the two together point the same way.

The Hours Are the Story

Most CityWalk quick service closes well before 1 a.m.

That has always been the weak spot of a Horror Nights night. You finish your last house around midnight, you have been on your feet six hours, and you have eaten a pretzel.

Five Guys lands right in that gap.

The upper level location helps too. It is on the way out toward parking, not a detour.

HHN is running its 35th anniversary season with 10 haunted houses this year. That is a lot of walking, and late food matters more during Horror Nights than almost any other time at Universal.

People walk beneath a large sign reading "Welcome to Universal Orlando Resort" at the entrance to Universal, with restaurants like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. visible on either side.
Credit: Universal Orlando Resort

The Menu

Standard Five Guys. Burgers, hot dogs, hand-cut fries, milkshakes, built how you want them.

Indoor and outdoor seating.

The interesting addition is a breakfast sandwich. Universal pitched it at guests heading into Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, which makes it a placement decision more than a menu one. Morning food at CityWalk is thin, and rope drop crowds walk through there every day with time to spare.

Second Opening This Month

Fat One’s Hot Dogs and Italian Ice opened at CityWalk on September 19.

That makes Five Guys the second new quick-service spot in the same month.

CityWalk has been steadily adding recognizable third-party brands, and swapping a Whopper Bar for a Five Guys is about as clean an example as you get. The space was already built for burgers, which tends to speed up a changeover.

Passholder discounts apply at both Premier and Preferred, which adds up if you are visiting repeatedly during HHN season.

Still Unconfirmed

No opening date announced.

No regular hours posted. The 1 a.m. close is tied to Halloween Horror Nights signage, so treat it as an event period arrangement rather than a permanent schedule. Nothing has been said about what happens after November 1.

Staff training points to a soft opening, which usually means limited hours and a limited menu with no advance notice.

Universal Studios Florida entrance during Halloween Horror Nights
Credit: Universal

What to Watch

Upper level, across from Bread Box.

A soft opening would likely happen without any announcement, and the first confirmation will probably come from a guest walking past an open door.

For Horror Nights guests, it is worth tracking. Burgers at 12:45 a.m. beats whatever your current midnight plan is.

Source: Universal Orlando Resort’s announcement and onsite reporting from Universal CityWalk on September 23, 2026.

Erica Lauren

Erica Lauren is a theme park writer and content creator based in Orlando, Florida, chosen for its proximity to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. As a regular park visitor, she offers a ground-level perspective on her experiences. A dedicated runDisney participant, she combines her love for running with her passion for theme parks. When not writing or running, Erica is busy planning her next trip, always on the lookout for new parks to explore. A thrill ride enthusiast, she believes the best spot is in the front row of the fastest coaster.

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