[1] Each episode features four chefs competing in a three-round elimination contest, cooking food with ingredients found in a supermarket grocery store ("Flavortown Market") as Guy Fieri poses unusual challenges to them.

[2] The set is laid out in the manner of a typical supermarket, whose 10 aisles are stocked with a wide range of foods that include fresh produce, meat/poultry, and frozen items.

In each round, Fieri assigns a dish (usually a general type such as "a fried feast" or "an upscale dinner") and issues one or more challenges that the chefs must fulfill.

In the absence of any pertinent restrictions imposed by Fieri, the chefs have 30 minutes to collect their ingredients in one trip, using a standard shopping cart, and prepare/plate their dishes.

The two main formats prior to 2020 were: On occasion, such as during tournaments or specially themed episodes, Guy's Shopping Spree is not played and Fieri awards the full $20,000 to the winner.

"Delivery" episodes, filmed in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, involve three chefs (usually ones who have served as judges) cooking in their home kitchens through two rounds of competition.

After two rounds, the highest overall scorer wins and can either accept a guaranteed cash payout (typically $5,000 to $10,000), or let Fieri determine the prize by spinning a wheel with values ranging from $0 to $20,000.

The day's champion can choose to either play Guy's Shopping Spree or accept a mystery check worth up to $20,000, with Fieri announcing a minimum possible value for the latter that changes from one episode to the next.