Our bacon must stick straight out when held horizontally and shatter when dropped from a height of what inches?

The requirement that bacon must stick straight out when held horizontally and shatter when dropped from a specified height is crucial for ensuring the ideal texture and quality that Five Guys aims for in its food preparation. In this context, the bacon should be crispy enough to maintain its shape and have a satisfying crunch when eaten.

The specified height relates directly to the bacon's crispiness and cooking process; for bacon to shatter appropriately, it needs to reach a certain level of doneness. Dropping the bacon from a height of 14 inches allows for an adequate test of its crispiness. At this height, if the bacon crumbles or shatters upon impact, it indicates that it has been cooked properly to achieve that desired texture.

Setting this standard ensures consistency across all locations and prepares staff to recognize and produce the high-quality bacon that customers expect. The choice of 14 inches strikes a balance that demonstrates the appropriate crunch without risking the bacon becoming overly hard or burnt.