Working in fast-food is something most people have to experience at some point in their lives. And from what I've heard, each place has its own system of doing things and believes that it is superior to all others. My experience in the fast food place began with Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, which opened in my hometown when I was in high school. I opened the restaurant with about 60 other people, and while most of them are gone now, I'm pretty positive that we all have Freddy's stuck in our heads for the rest of our lives.
Yes, I know this is super specific, and most people haven't worked at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Most people have never even heard of this small-chain restaurant. But that is what makes this so fun: people who work and/or have worked at Freddy's before are a group of people that will be forever bonded just by this one experience. Once you learn "The Freddy's Way," there's no forgetting it. Pretty much ever. I, for one, have returned there after almost a year and found that all of the information was still in my brain and ready to go. So here is a compilation of some of those things that, after working at Freddy's, you will most definitely never forget. Sorry.
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1. M.O.P., F.L.O.A.T., and G.P.S.
Freddy thrives on nothing but acronyms.
2. Having to explain the difference between Freddy's Sauce and Fry Sauce
...and then just skipping the questions and assuming what people mean when they tell you they want it.
3. "Is Pepsi okay?"
How many times have you been through this drive-thru? If you want Coke, go to McDonald's. Goodbye.
4. "I want a California Burger, but I want it with just mayo."
*facepalm*
5. Getting blender wounds.
And all sorts of burns, and random cuts that you don't even remember getting.
6. Knowing that it's NOT ice cream, it's custard.
And eventually giving up on correcting people because they're too uncomfortable to say "custard."
7. Knowing that we don't have customers, we have guests.
Although a lot of them are pretty terrible and not worthy of any title but "asshole." Why are people so mean?
8. Knowing that we don't use rags, we use towels.
Correction: Freddy's thrives on acronyms and proper vocabulary.
9. Not being able to get any visible piercings/tattoos while you work there and having to cover up/take out the ones you have.
And everyone thinking you look like a different person any time they see you outside of work. "Guys, this is who I really am."
10. You can pretty much tell anybody who asks Freddy's entire life story.
"You see, Freddy visited his brother with his family in California in 1948, and that's probably the first time he tried a steakburger California-style." I've read it too many times to count.
11. Having to taste-test the custard multiple times a day.
You know, just to make sure it's not too soft.
12. "Give me a burger with everything on it."
Does this mean everything that comes on it or everything everything?? The world will never know. But no, you do not want everything on it. Trust me. Please, just list me what you want. Chances are, it's nothing near "everything" anyway.
13. Having some of the strictest, most annoying cleaning tasks ever.
"Wash your hands after you leave the restroom AND when you come back, deck scrub everything, clean the ceiling, wash your hands and change your gloves any time they touch too many air particles"
14. Having to make your own combinations of foods and custard toppings because you've literally eaten everything.
"I want a mini brownie, pineapple, and marshmallow shake, please."
15. "Heard!"
I actually say this in response to normal conversations now.
16. Getting Freddy's Freckles.
Sometimes I honestly wasn't sure which were real freckles and which weren't.
17. Having to decide which jeans or jacket you want to wear inside and sacrifice to smelling like Freddy's forever and ever.
Three years later, and I still have pairs of jeans that have the slight smell.
Although working anywhere for too long gets pretty tiresome, and Freddy's is included, I'd like to say that I enjoyed my time there and have made countless close friends because of it. This article is for all of you. But let's face it: who wants to remember that a number one with cheese costs exactly $7.68 (for now) or be able to recite their drive-thru introduction forever? Freddy's is for life, apparently.
