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!
