Five Guys is known for serving up excellent versions of fast-food classics – juicy burgers, generously portioned fries, and some of the highest-quality fast-food hot dogs. But the first thing you’ll see (and probably eat) at the burger chain isn’t available at many other fast-food restaurants: shelled peanuts. Five Guys’ free peanuts have been a popular staple at most outlets for over twenty years.

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As the burger chain quickly grew into a global fast-food giant with 1,800 locations from Hawaii to Hong Kong, the peanuts became increasingly popular. Five Guys customers now eat a whopping 260,000 free peanuts a week. That must come at a price; some speculate it costs millions of dollars a year. Plus, shelled peanuts aren’t exactly a regular fast-food item, which has left many customers questioning the chain’s motivation for offering the free snack. Five Guys has never issued a completely satisfactory official explanation. However, the burger chain has offered some helpful clues that have inspired a variety of fan theories about the real reason Five Guys serves free peanuts.

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Five Guys has revealed at least some of the reasoning behind the free peanuts via social media. A post on the Five Guys Canada Instagram account suggests that the peanuts are there so hungry customers can eat something while they wait, because “no reason to be hungry!” That makes perfect sense, especially since Five Guys’ freshly grilled burgers take a little longer to prepare than a regular fast food meal. They’re a fun diversion, whether you bite into the peanut shells or crack them with your fingers, and they’ll keep most people occupied for at least a few minutes.

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Five Guys offers a slightly more detailed explanation on its FAQ page, writing, “Our free peanuts have become part of our identity. They’re a favorite feature of Five Guys fans, and they look forward to grabbing a pre-burger snack at our stores.” That makes sense, too, because many customers (myself included) would be very disappointed if the chain eliminated free peanuts. However, that doesn’t answer the real question: Why did Five Guys start offering shelled peanuts in the first place?

One popular theory is that the nuts serve as a warning sign for potential customers with peanut allergies. Five Guys is not an allergy-friendly fast-food chain—the menu includes French fries fried in peanut oil and peanut butter shakes. Some say the free peanuts are a way to signal this as soon as you walk into the store. Five Guys has not confirmed this theory, but has alluded to it on its FAQ page. The brand explains that prominently displayed peanut oil packets in dining areas are intended to “further alert customers to its use,” so it’s not far-fetched to imagine that the shelled peanuts could serve a similar purpose.

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Another theory is that peanuts are meant to keep hungry customers busy so they don’t stare at employees while their food is being prepared. This idea was supported by someone who claimed to be a former Five Guys employee in a 2017 Reddit AMA. Having worked in food prep behind an open counter myself, I find this theory very believable. We may never know the real reason why Five Guys started serving free peanuts, but we do know they’re delicious—and we hope they never stop.