The global supply chain has faced significant disruptions in recent years — from a worldwide pandemic and geopolitical tensions to climate-related events and market volatility. Traditional freight procurement, built on rigid annual contracts and slow negotiation cycles, simply can’t keep pace.

Agile logistics procurement changes that. By leveraging short-term tenders, real-time data, and flexible supplier relationships, procurement teams can respond quickly, control costs, and build more resilient supply chains — no matter what the market throws at them.

Download our playbook to discover how leading enterprise procurement teams are making the shift.

What you’ll learn in this step-by-step playbook:

✓ How to standardize, centralize, and automate your procurement workflows – including fuel and BAF updates

✓ How to benchmark your contracted rates against real commercial freight spend and run regular mini-bids to stay competitive

✓ How to track procurement KPIs and continuously optimize freight costs between tender cycles – without a full renegotiation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Agile Logistics Procurement?

Agile logistics procurement is a dynamic approach to freight sourcing that replaces rigid annual contracts with frequent mini-bids, real-time market data, and flexible supplier relationships. It enables enterprise procurement teams to respond quickly to market shifts, control freight costs more effectively, and build more resilient supply chains.

How does Agile Procurement reduce freight costs?

By running regular mini-bids and benchmarking contracted rates against live market data, procurement teams can identify overpayment, optimize carrier selection, and act on cost-saving opportunities as they arise — rather than waiting for the next annual tender cycle. Tools like Freightos Terminal allow teams to compare their rates against $50B+ in real commercial freight spend to see exactly where savings are available.

What is BAF and how can procurement teams manage it more effectively?

BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor) is a surcharge applied to ocean freight rates to account for fluctuations in bunker fuel costs. It can swing 15–25% within a single quarter, making it one of the most volatile cost lines in freight procurement. Agile procurement teams manage BAF more effectively by running structured update cycles between full tenders — either applying their own methodology or requesting updated submissions directly from carriers — rather than absorbing surcharge changes passively.

What tools do enterprise procurement teams use for freight rate benchmarking?

Leading enterprise procurement teams use market intelligence platforms like Freightos Terminal to benchmark contracted rates against daily-updated spot and contract data across ocean and air freight. Unlike self-reported data used by some competitors, Freightos Terminal is sourced from real commercial transactions representing over $50 billion in annual freight spend — giving procurement teams a reliable, independent view of where their rates stand before they negotiate.

Weekly highlights

Ocean rates – Freightos Baltic Index

- Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 Weekly) increased 4%.

- Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 Weekly) decreased 1%.

- Asia-N. Europe prices (FBX11 Weekly) decreased 15%.

- Asia-Mediterranean prices (FBX13 Weekly) decreased 7%.

Air rates – Freightos Air Index

- China – N. America weekly prices decreased 1%.

- China – N. Europe weekly prices decreased 18%.

- N. Europe – N. America weekly prices increased 3%.

Analysis

Trade talks continue between the US and China as representatives work to prepare the ground for the Xi -Trump meeting this week. The negotiations are reportedly aimed at maintaining stability in the fragile trade relationship, as opposed to pushing major policy shifts in either direction.

Tariffs introduced by the US since the Supreme Court invalidated IEEPA restored duties on China to within 7.5 percentage points of the level agreed upon between the sides last November, with the agreement set to expire this November.

The USTR has reportedly concluded an additional Section 301 investigation, focused on issues of excess manufacturing capacity, and recommending an additional 7.5% tariff on Chinese exports. The White House seemed ready to announce this increase before the September meeting, but the administration is now expected to hold off on the announcement – either to avoid a possible escalation, or to use the findings as leverage in the current negotiations.

The administration is reportedly prepared to offer a three to six month extension of the current trade truce, which includes not only tariff levels – changes to which could impact international logistics – but also the pause of $1M US port call fees on China-linked vessels. The fees went into effect in mid-October of last year. China quickly imposed similar fees on US vessels until the sides announced a one-year pause on November 10th.

Despite the early start to east-west ocean peak season back in May which pushed container rates up sharply into early July, transpacific rates remain at about peak levels while Asia – Europe prices continue to cool.

Resilient transpacific demand – possibly helped by the lack of a tariff hike in late July, and now including a last push to get containers moved before the Golden Week holiday – alongside persistent, weather-driven, Far East port congestion and blanked sailings, are keeping container rates at year highs.

Far East – West Coast prices increased 4% to more than $8,100/FEU last week, with East Coast rates about level at $9,600/FEU. Some of the blanked sailings are likely due to delays and schedule disruptions caused by the congestion, while carriers are also using the capacity reductions to adjust to the expected lower volumes over the holiday-period, and the likely easing demand later in October as peak season comes to an end. But analysis that nonetheless shows a lower rate of cancellations compared to recent years may reflect the relative demand strength also at play.

Some indices see these transpacific rate levels as approaching pandemic-era highs. But Freightos Baltic Index data show that at the peak of the unprecedented COVID-driven demand surge and the resulting extreme port congestion in September of 2021, transpacific West Coast rates reached an all-time high of more than $20,000/FEU. At the time, carriers were not moving spot shipments booked at base rates, meaning that the actual market price to move a container needed to include premium surcharges – normally optional, but during this span required – which pushed the FBX benchmark to those historic highs.

So, while current market conditions are putting significant pressure on rates – and pushing them back to levels last seen during peak season 2024 when Red Sea capacity constraints were a major factor – FBX data suggest we aren’t nearing pandemic levels just yet.

Asia – Europe container rates continued their gradual decline from peak season highs as volumes cool. Asia – N. Europe prices fell 15% last week to $3,700/FEU, down from a July peak of almost $6K/FEU but still about $1,000/FEU higher than before peak season began in late May. Asia – Mediterranean rates however – which decreased 7% to $3,900/FEU last week, down from more than $7K/FEU in July – have eased all the way back to May levels.

The sharper decline for prices to the Mediterranean may be due both to the sharper increase in effective capacity via more Red Sea transits for vessels servicing this lane compared to those to or from N. Europe, and to congestion at N. Europe hubs – including from low water levels in the Rhine River – constraining capacity on Asia – N. Europe trades. The Verdi labor union in Germany is voting on a possible indefinite port strike as early as October, which would worsen congestion challenges in the region.

In air cargo, China – N. Europe prices fell 18% back to mid-August levels of $4.30/kg last week, as the market continues to see lower volumes as e-commerce demand slows. China – US rates were stable at about $6.50/kg though daily prices so far this week are trending upwards.

Freightos Terminal™: Real-time pricing dashboards to benchmark rates and track market trends.

Procure™: Streamlined procurement and cost savings with digital rate management and automated workflows.

Rate, Book, & Manage™: Real-time rate comparison, instant booking, and easy tracking at every shipment stage.

Weekly highlights

Ocean rates – Freightos Baltic Index

- Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 Weekly) increased 4%.

- Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 Weekly) stayed level.

- Asia-N. Europe prices (FBX11 Weekly) decreased 9%.

- Asia-Mediterranean prices (FBX13 Weekly) decreased 7%.

Air rates – Freightos Air Index

- China – N. America weekly prices increased 5%.

- China – N. Europe weekly prices decreased 4%.

- N. Europe – N. America weekly prices increased 1%.

Analysis

Last week’s Trump-Xi meeting in Washington yielded a two month extension of last year’s US-China trade truce which was set to expire on November 10th, mutual tariff reductions on some imports, and plans for two more meetings between the leaders before the end of the year. This deescalation likely also postpones US port call fees on China-linked vessels, though the USTR has not issued an officialral just yet.

The US Treasury Secretary said the US only agreed to two months because China still needs to fulfill some of its earlier commitments to purchase US agricultural goods. This stance may imply expectations for another extension once progress is made on those purchases.

The sides will reduce tariffs on $30B worth of counterpart imports to most-favored-nation levels, pending the necessary legal procedures to put these changes into effect. Though the reduction is modest in the context of the more than $400B of total China-US trade, this news will be welcomed by US importers and consumers of the nearly 80 affected product entries, with toys as the largest category by value. China’s list of more than 1,600 entries comprises mostly agricultural products and commodities.

Transpacific container rates ticked up to the West Coast last week to $8,400/FEU, a new high for the year, with East Coast prices level at about $9,600/FEU, $200/FEU lower than its peak in late August, as resilient demand has kept pressure on rates to close the month.

Demand is likely to cool as we get past Golden Week and peak season finally ends, but carriers have increased blanked sailings over the holiday period and into late October. Far East congestion remains a major drain on available capacity, and likely one factor to some carriers reducing allocations for some contracted forwarders.

Sea Intelligence estimates that port congestion is tying up more than 8% of global capacity, and could take up to ten months to completely unwind. We could therefore expect congestion – together with higher fuel costs from the Hormuz closure – to contribute to an elevated rate floor even during low demand stretches, and a higher baseline from which prices will climb when demand increases again ahead of Lunar New Year.

Better than expected rainfall and water levels in Panama has led to some good news for transpacific shippers to the East Coast. The Panama Canal Authority will restore daily Neopanamax transits to the normal ten, and increase maximum draft levels to 49 feet in mid-October, after removing a daily transit and reducing the draft by a foot in late August. Improved conditions now, however, do not mean that restrictions won’t be introduced in the coming months if the expected El Nino negatively impacts the rainy season that normally lasts into January.

Asia – Europe container rates continued to ease last week as demand likely continues to cool and carriers increase effective capacity through gradual increases in Red Sea transits. Asia – N. Europe prices fell 9% to about $3,400/FEU and rates to the Mediterranean decreased 7% to $3,600/FEU. Despite these trends some carriers are announcing rate increases for late October.

Even with the $3K – $4k/FEU drop in spot prices since rates peaked in July, prices on these lanes remain about 50% higher than a year ago as Far East congestion, backlogs at some N. Europe hubs, and fuel surcharges keep the rate floor elevated on these lanes as well.

The Freightos Air Index global benchmark ticked up 5% last week and remains more than 30% higher than a year ago as jet fuel prices remain elevated. Far East – N. America rates increased 5% to about $6.80/kg last week and Far East – Europe prices dipped 4% to $4.14/kg.

Test

Freightos Terminal™: Real-time pricing dashboards to benchmark rates and track market trends.

Procure™: Streamlined procurement and cost savings with digital rate management and automated workflows.

Rate, Book, & Manage™: Real-time rate comparison, instant booking, and easy tracking at every shipment stage.

This month’s Global Freight Outlook webinar took a data-driven look at the latest in the international ocean and air freight markets. We focused on container trends – the extended transpac peak season, the elevated Asia – Europe rate floor, and Red Sea returns, Panama Canal restrictions, trade war developments, post the Trump-Xi summit, and air cargo peak season projections.

Watch the full recording and read key takeaways below:

Key Takeaways:

- Hormuz attacks escalating, but container impact unchanged: Iran has intensified attacks partly in response to crude volumes recovering via alternative channels, but Gulf-bound containers continue rerouting. Bunker fuel prices have kept climbing despite reports of recovering Middle East crude exports.

- Red Sea return advancing but Houthi–Saudi escalation adds new risk: All the container alliances plus MSC will send some vessels via the Red Sea by the end of the month, but the sharp Houthi–Saudi escalation in recent days, including missile strikes on Riyadh, raises the risk of renewed container vessel attacks that could reverse this progress.

- Sticky congestion may be setting a higher rate floor: Typhoon-driven backlogs in the Far East persist, with congestion at key N. Europe hubs lingering too. The backups could take months to unwind completely and, alongside elevated fuel costs, could keep some upward pressure on rates even before the pre-Lunar New Year rush begins.

- East-west container lanes post-peak, as Asia – Europe enters contract season: Transpacific rates are showing signs of easing with peak demand finally easing post-Golden Week. Asia – Europe have fallen steadily since mid-July as peak demand cooled, but carriers may seek to push rates up as tendering season gets underway.

- Saudi air cargo disruption localized; e-commerce slowing, AI hardware growing: as Houthi strikes on Riyadh airport are disrupting Saudi air cargo but broader market impact is so far limited. There are more signs of Chinese air e-commerce exports falling while AI-related data center hardware has emerged as a significant Asia – N. America demand driver. Overall, rates remain elevated on strong demand and high fuel costs, setting the baseline from which rates will likely climb during the Q4 peak season stretch.

Your Expert Host

Judah Levine

Head of Research, Freightos Group

Judah is an experienced market research manager, using data-driven analytics to deliver market-based insights. Judah produces the Freightos Group’s FBX Weekly Freight Update and other research on what’s happening in the industry from shipper behaviors to the latest in logistics technology and digitization.

Weekly highlights

Ocean rates – Freightos Baltic Index

- Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 Weekly) decreased 1%.

- Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 Weekly) stayed level.

- Asia-N. Europe prices (FBX11 Weekly) decreased 3%.

- Asia-Mediterranean prices (FBX13 Weekly) decreased 2%.

Air rates – Freightos Air Index

- China – N. America weekly prices decreased 18%.

- China – N. Europe weekly prices decreased 7%.

- N. Europe – N. America weekly prices increased 1%.

Analysis

Some recent estimations have Middle East crude oil exports – via the Strait of Hormuz and alternatives – approaching pre-war levels, with crude prices easing moderately. For now though, bunker prices remain about level with the last few weeks, as increased crude volumes, if sustained, may take time to translate into lower prices for refined products.

Increased Saudi crude flows via the southern Red Sea account for part of this volume recovery, with Saudi-backed forces attempting to recapture areas on the Yemeni coast of the Bab el Mandeb Strait recently seized by the Houthis. Even with elevated tension in the region container carriers continue to gradually increase Red Sea traffic, with the Premier Alliance – the last holdout among the three alliances and MSC – announcing some services will resume Red Sea transits this month.

The increase in effective capacity from more vessels taking the shorter route is likely one contributor to container rates sliding since mid-July on Asia – Europe lanes. Prices dipped 2-3% last week to $3,260/FEU to N. Europe and $3,555/FEU to the Mediterranean, with rates level so far this week over the Golden Week holiday as carriers have blanked sailings during this low demand stretch.

The sharper increase in Red Sea sailings for Asia – Mediterranean services, as well as continued challenges with congestion at some N. Europe hubs for Asia – N. Europe volumes, may explain why rates to the Mediterranean – even as Far East congestion, though improving, continues to tie up capacity – have slid back to pre-peak season levels. Asia – N. Europe prices meanwhile, remain about $400/FEU higher than back in mid-May.

Transpacific container rates decreased 3% to the West Coast last week to $8,322/FEU while East Coast prices were level at $9,600/FEU. Increased blanked sailing over the Golden Week period may help keep prices stable in the near term. Increases in blanked sailings as well as backlogs from nearly three months of weather-related disruptions at major ports in China may keep the transpacific rate floor quite elevated even as we enter what is normally a couple months of low demand post-peak season and pre-Lunar New Year rush.

In air cargo, more recent analyses confirm data center components are a significant driver of global demand growth even as e-commerce volumes – though still significant – contract in some major markets. The Freightos Air Index shows Far East/China rates cooling more than 15% to N. America last week to $5.60/kg and easing 7% to Europe to $3.83/kg as demand eases over Golden Week.

Freightos Terminal™: Real-time pricing dashboards to benchmark rates and track market trends.

Procure™: Streamlined procurement and cost savings with digital rate management and automated workflows.

Rate, Book, & Manage™: Real-time rate comparison, instant booking, and easy tracking at every shipment stage.

Weekly highlights

Ocean rates – Freightos Baltic Index

- Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 Weekly) decreased 2%.

- Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 Weekly) stayed level.

- Asia-N. Europe prices (FBX11 Weekly) stayed level.

- Asia-Mediterranean prices (FBX13 Weekly) increased 7%.

Air rates – Freightos Air Index

- China – N. America weekly prices increased 3%.

- China – N. Europe weekly prices decreased 7%.

- N. Europe – N. America weekly prices increased 2%.

Analysis

Multiple Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh airport since late last week mark another serious escalation of the Saudi – Houthi conflict. Saudi Arabia has promised retaliation for the deadly strikes which have shut down airport operations in Riyadh. Interceptions at the airport in Dammam and attacks on other airports have led to disruptions and cancellations at other hubs as well.

The Houthis sought to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Saudi-linked traffic in July, attacking several vessels into August after nearly nine months of quiet. The current escalation may increase the likelihood of renewed Red Sea strikes.

Container carriers have nonetheless gradually increased Asia – Europe Red Sea transits since June, which is one factor – with a post-peak season slide in demand the bigger factor – to uninterrupted spot rate decreases on these lanes since July.

Shippers and carriers on these trades are now entering tendering season for 2027’s annual ocean contracts. This time last year carriers reduced capacity and pushed through a series of Q4 GRIs to raise the benchmark around which long term negotiations were based. Some carriers have already announced October rate increases and Asia – Mediterranean prices increased 7% to $3,800/FEU last week. But even with the rate decreases since July, prices are still quite elevated at more than $3,000/FEU on both lanes and are about 70% higher than they were last year, working in carriers’ favor even without additional increases.

But current rate levels are partially being supported by lingering congestion in N. Europe – though a strike at German ports that could have made things worse was recently averted – and in the Far East. Fleet growth through newbuild deliveries next year and the possibility that Red Sea transits will continue to increase effective capacity in 2027 also have some shippers expecting rate levels may ease next year, and hesitant to lock in annual rates at current levels.

On the transpacific, sustained peak season demand, together with Far East congestion, has kept container rates at about peak levels since July, though Far East – US West Coast rates dipped 2% to $8,150/FEU and could signal the start of a downward trend with Golden Week behind us.

The latest National Retail Federation US ocean import volume report projects November arrivals to drop 11% month on month, suggesting that peak season is finally coming to an end and that we may see rates ease until demand pressure from the pre-Lunar New Year rush kicks in late this year or starting in January. Despite the extended peak season, NRF projections would put year totals – which would approach the record set in 2021 – just 1.4% higher than 2025 and up 1.2% from 2024.

The attacks in Saudi Arabia are disrupting air cargo flows in and out of the country for affected airports, with some foreign carriers suspending services. But as Saudi Arabia – unlike some of the other Gulf states – is not a major transhipment hub for the international air cargo market, the closures may not be felt more broadly.

There are more indications of air cargo freighter capacity shifting away from Asia – Europe trades as e-commerce volumes slump, and toward lanes with stronger growth like AI-fueled transpacific. Elevated fuel costs and overall strong global volume growth have the Freightos Air Index global benchmark rate up 33% year on year and 29% higher than levels before the Strait of Hormuz closure.

South East Asia – N. America rates are 40% higher than last year and pre-war, reflecting the data center volume growth as a component of the global rate. China – Europe prices meanwhile dipped to $3.58/kg last week, down 9% compared to a year ago and up just 4% compared to before the war, suggesting that even with capacity shifts, the drop in e-commerce volumes may be dragging down rates for this lane.

Freightos Terminal™: Real-time pricing dashboards to benchmark rates and track market trends.

Procure™: Streamlined procurement and cost savings with digital rate management and automated workflows.

Rate, Book, & Manage™: Real-time rate comparison, instant booking, and easy tracking at every shipment stage.

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Barclays PLC (NYSE: BCS) resulting from allegations that Barclays may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

So what: If you purchased Barclays securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=23523 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

What is this about: On February 27, 2026, Reuters published an article entitled "Wall Street hit by UK mortgage lender collapse, raising fears of more credit 'cockroaches.'" The article stated that lenders were "rocked by the implosion of little-known UK mortgage provider Market Financial Solutions Ltd ["MFS"], fuelling concerns about wider losses among banks and reviving warnings of more "cockroaches" in the booming private credit industry." It further stated that another publication "reported Barclays has a 600 million pound ($809.70 million) exposure to MFS."

On this news, Barclays American Depositary Shares ("ADS") fell 3.99% on February 27, 2026, and 2.3% on March 2, 2026.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered billions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

     Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.

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Restaurants play a central role in Americans’ daily lives, but in an increasingly competitive landscape, standing out has never been more important.

YouGov’s latest report, Best Bites 2026: U.S. restaurant brand rankings, explores how restaurant brands are performing across the U.S.

Fast food is a regular part of American life

Fast food remains deeply embedded in everyday behavior. Two in three Americans purchase food or drinks from fast food restaurants at least once a month (70%), while 30% eat it at least once a week.

This demand is driven by a younger, economically active audience. Over half (51%) of weekly fast food diners are under 45, and 49% fall into middle-income households.

When it comes to choosing where to eat, practical factors still dominate. Value and discount menus are the biggest drivers of visits, followed by a clean dining environment.

Five Guys, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell stand out by category

While overall rankings matter, consumers also strongly associate certain brands with doing specific foods best.

Among burger chains, Five Guys leads, with 15.5% of Americans naming it as the best for burgers, just ahead of Burger King (15.0%) and In-N-Out Burger (12.1%).

In pizza, Pizza Hut (19.1%) and Domino’s (17.1%) emerge as category leaders. Meanwhile, Taco Bell dominates in tacos and burritos, with 30.3% of Americans naming it the best — nearly 10 points ahead of Chipotle.

Other categories show similarly strong associations, with Chick-fil-A leading in chicken and McDonald’s standing out for fries.

Explore the full rankings

These highlights are just a snapshot of YouGov’s Best Bites U.S. restaurant rankings report.

Download the full report to explore:

- The most considered fast food, casual dining, and specialty brands

- Rankings by quality and value

- The brands Americans believe do specific foods best

- Profiles of weekly fast food diners and their habits

- Differences in preferences by age and gender

2 min read time

Featured Stories

2026 Five Guys Games Reaches Climax with $100K on the Line

Every two years, a frenzy builds at Five Guys with the best crew members battling it out for $100K and ultimate bragging rights.

Every couple of years, a frenzy builds at Five Guys with the best – and fastest – crew members battling it out to win the top prize and ultimate bragging rights.

The first-place winner takes home $100,000. Second place gets $50,000. And all finalists receive a minimum $10,000.

Welcome to the Five Guys Games.

Born in 2013, the games began as an idea by the Murrell family to reward their hardworking store crew members. The competition has since evolved into a global phenomenon among the chain’s 50,000 employees, who compete for speed, skill and accuracy in three events: the cheese stack race, QC wrapping race and potato race.

Open to any crew member, manager or General Manager, the competition draws employees who train year-round to compete in store, regional and semifinal rounds on the path toward the $100K grand prize.

On May 13, our eight finalists will go head-to-head in all three events at The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., in what is known as “The Gauntlet.” Only one will emerge as the ultimate grill master.

Learn more about the Five Guys Games at FiveGuys.com/Games. Follow all the action on our official Five Guys Games Instagram account.

4 min read time

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Five Guys Games: Who Will Reign Supreme?

A grand prize of $100,000 is at stake to the fastest and most accurate in three events: the potato race, cheese stack race and QC wrapping race.

Final preparations are underway for the Five Guys Games final, scheduled for May 13 at The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland.

The Olympic-style competition began as an idea by the Murrell family to reward their hardworking store crew members. It evolved into a global phenomenon among the chain’s 50,000 employees. Crew members, managers and general managers have been competing in store, regional and semifinal rounds over the last six months.

A grand prize of $100,000 is at stake to the fastest and most accurate in three events: the potato race, cheese stack race and QC wrapping race. The games are judged by the Five Guys Training Team, who watch and time each competitor.

Let’s meet our eight 2026 Five Guys Games finalists:

- Jackson Chimbay | Wallkill, NY

- Chimbay is the man everyone must beat. Chimbay was the 2022 Five Guys Games champion and 2024 runner-up. He’s been to more finals than anyone in the field.

- Jonathan Martinez | Kingston, NY

- Martinez does not stop. At the NY/NJ regional, a blade broke on his second potato. He heard it. He saw it. He kept cutting. Martinez joined Five Guys three years ago at the Poughkeepsie store, commuting an hour each way. He regularly trains with Chimbay.

- Joshua Harvey | Albuquerque, NM

- Harvey is the defending champion, and he knows what it costs to lose. In the 2021 finals, he beat his opponent, but forgot to put a fork back in the container during the QC race. The penalty eliminated him.

- Jose Once | New York, NY

- Once is a 14-year Five Guys veteran and Chimbay’s older brother. Once helped Chimbay get hired at Five Guys. This is Once’s third finals appearance. The brothers regularly train together.

- Peter Le | Derry, NH

- Le was born in Vietnam and moved to New Hampshire at age 10 with his family. Before competitions, he takes days off and drives to New York and New Jersey to train with Chimbay, Once and Martinez.

- Carson Tate | Kingsport, TN

- Tate has been to the finals twice. Both times, he lost in the first round. Tate started with Five Guys at 16 to earn some gas money. Nine years later, he’s still there – now at general manager in Kingsport.

- Enock Akuwure | Liverpool, UK

- Akuwure broke his back a month before the London semifinals. He was attempting a deadlift personal record at the gym. He couldn’t work for two weeks. He found a stretching video on Instagram, watched YouTube tutorials, and started stretching morning and evening. Within a week, he could walk. He made it to London and won the whole thing.

- Aurelien Favreau | Paris, France

- Favreau finished third in the International Semifinals in London. He was just told a few days ago that due to circumstances beyond everyone’s control, the second-place finisher from London could not attend the finals. So, Favreau now will compete.