The Struggles of Chick-fil-A Team Members | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
popular

The Struggles of Chick-fil-A Team Members

Although my paycheck may be rewarding, there are many struggles that come along with it.

4908
The Struggles of Chick-fil-A Team Members
Business Insider

As the summer is in full bloom, many high school and college students returned to their part-time jobs to earn some extra cash before heading back to school. As for myself, I returned to my workplace of three years, Chick-fil-A.

Before I continue with this article, I must say that working for Chick-fil-A is extremely rewarding. Representing one of the best fast food chains in the country, I learned various life skills and lessons that shaped me into who I am today. I'm forever grateful for all of the memories, friends, and connections I've built throughout the past three years.

With that being said, when you work for one of the best fast food chains in the country, it comes with high expectations from customers, co-workers, and your bosses. I've been working full-time recently, and although my paycheck may be rewarding, there are many struggles that come along with it. Many struggles come from our customers. Here are some of my personal favorites:

1. "Hi, how are you today?" "Number 1."

When you're scheduled to work the front counter or iPads, this is bound to happen more than once. If you've ever been to a Chick-fil-A, you know that the employees express great generosity to our customers, but it's extremely difficult to always have a smile on your face when customers don't show any interest or care for you.

2. The various names of Polynesian sauce

This is a running joke around any Chick-fil-A. Even though Polynesian sauce is one of our most popular sauces, the names that people create are actually quite hilarious. I have heard Polyester sauce, Hawaiian sauce, Arby's sauce, Kickin'/Poppin' sauce, and even Pomeranian sauce.

3. The drive-thru

At Chick-fil-A, the drive-thru is a pretty big deal. We attempt to get customers through the line as quickly as possible, putting over 100 cars per hour through the drive-thru during lunch rush. Believe it or not, we have it down to a science. When you come through the drive-thru, please avoid these few things:

-Not knowing what you want before you pull up to the box (especially when you've been waiting in line for ten minutes)

-Screaming "HELLO?!?!?!?!" when you pull up to the box (We have a nice introduction when you pull up to the speaker box, please let us say it)

-Being on your phone while ordering

-Having more than three separate orders

-Not having your money ready, even after waiting in line for over five minutes

-Adding additional items to your order at the window, especially specialty drinks or desserts

-Asking for 932476928303784 different condiments at the window, even though we asked you while taking your order

-Asking if there's ketchup in the bag (If you didn't ask for it, it's not in the bag)

-Asking to scan your Chick-fil-A One app after the transaction has been completed

By following these simple tips, you will get in and out of the drive-thru faster, and overall, the experience will be more pleasant.

4. The front counter

As easy as we make it seem, the front counter can always be pretty hectic. There always needs to be stellar communication between the customers, cashiers, bagger, and kitchen in order for the process to flow correctly. When you approach the counter, here are some things you should avoid:

-Saying your order is for here, but it's to go (and vice versa)

-"Can I have a name for your order?" "Yes." *Blank stares*

-Walking away from the cashier before they could give you your drinks/sauces

-When the bagger delivers your food to you, forgetting what your own name is and staring at us with a blank look on your face

-Disappearing from the front counter area after your order has been taken

-Cutting the entire line for a refill on your beverage (and giving us your cup drenched in "finger-licking chicken grease slime")

By following these easy tips, you'll be sitting down, enjoying your delicious food in a matter of fewer than three minutes.

5. The nuggets

This is a classic struggle. Customers will come to the counter or the speaker box and ask for "a 10-piece Chicken McNugget Happy Meal." Unfortunately, Chick-fil-A does NOT serve 10-piece McNuggets, chicken chunks, popcorn chicken, chicken fingers, or bite-sized chickens. Luckily for you, we serve 4, 6, 8, 12, or 30-count nuggets, and they are extremely easy to remember. Also, don't be the person that orders one sauce per nugget. It's just not a good thing for you or me.

In addition to the McDonald's thing, Chick-fil-A stops serving breakfast at 10:30 AM. We don't have the pleasure of serving it all-day like our cheeseburger competitor, so please keep that in mind.

6. Complaints

At my particular Chick-fil-A, our team does an outstanding job taking care of complaints. If there's a problem, we'll fix it for you in the best way we can, but PLEASE don't come to the counter with a 3/4-already-eaten item and say there was a problem with it. At that point, we've caught onto your tricks, so please just save us all of our time.

Additionally, if you could approach us with a pleasant attitude about your problem, then we'll be even happier to fix it for you. Just because you had a bad day doesn't make it fair for you to take it out on us. Please do not make the experience miserable for both of us.

7. "How many strips come in a two-strip kid's meal?"

If you just laughed at this question, I wish I could tell you that I made this up. This question falls under the same category as "I'll have a Number A Kid's Meal."

8. "My pleasure."

Any raving fan knows that the team members of Chick-fil-A are required to say "my pleasure" after every thank you. As someone who doesn't mind saying it, please give me the opportunity to say it. I would rather say "my pleasure" to someone, rather than not receiving any manners in the first place. With that being said, please don't make me say it more than I have to. A team member probably says it more than 50 times a day; therefore, one or two per customer is ideal.

By keeping all of these struggles in mind, you may now visualize a part of the perspective that I see at work every day.

I would like to give a shout out to my fellow co-workers at Chick-fil-A at Miracle Mile for the help on this article!


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

188246
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13679
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456932
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26068
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments