Recently, I have started working at the first Dunkin' Donuts in Lincoln, which opened last year. I have grown to realize what it's not only like to work at a coffee shop, but also a fast food restaurant. So, here's a list of 12 items that shows what it's like to work at Dunkin' Donuts.
1. We're not Krispy Kreme or LaMar's Donuts.
This being said, we are also not Starbucks or Scooter's Coffee, so don't complain if our donuts or coffee aren't like our competition. If you want their products, go there.
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2. We have to ask every customer if they want cream and sugar in their coffee.
Don't get annoyed by how many times we ask you if you would like cream and sugar in your coffee. It's mandatory. Because, if we don't ask that one person that does want it, the complaint comes back to us. People get angry if their coffee is made wrong.
3. We hear everyone in your car when you are at the drive thru.
We can hear the people not only in the front seat, but also in the back seat. We hear mothers yell at their kids and we hear friends cuss at their friends. And more than one person at Dunkin' Donuts is wearing the headset to hear the drive thru too. So, most of the employees hear when you yell at one of them. Remember that, the next time you want to yell at someone when you are in a drive thru.
4. Mocha is a type of flavor we have, not a type of drink.
Mocha is a chocolatey flavor and when you ask for a "Medium Mocha" we don't know if you want a hot/iced coffee, hot/iced latte, or a coolatta (blended ice drink).
5. We know our regulars, and our regulars know us.
We have the same people come in around the same time, and you know what, they get the same thing. They know us too and know how each and every one of us makes a drink, and some employees do it a little different. There's one customer who only allows certain people to make his coffee.
6. Not every donut is going to be super fresh at 8 P.M., an hour before we close.
Most of the donuts are made in the morning because that's our busiest time, but some can be made to order to frost, sprinkle, or fill. But, usually bakers will only make the donuts, and they take more than a 5 minute wait to bake. So, don't get mad if we don't have every single donut left in the evening.
7. We, as employees, get free drinks and donuts.
We were given a Dunkin' Donuts cup when we started working and if we bring it in when we work, we get to make ourselves free drinks for the day. At the end of the night, we used to throw the donuts away, but now we started giving them to the People's City Mission. But, before we box them up for them, we get first choosing on any donuts we want to take home that night. They may not be as fresh, but they're still donuts.
8. Sandwiches and lattes do take awhile to make. Have Patience.
Don't get flustered and annoyed when you have to wait for your food or drink. Our oven takes about a minute or less to cook the food so you may have to wait. And not every employee knows how to make all of the sandwiches. It's difficult to remember what each sandwich has on it and how it needs to be made. Lattes and cappuccinos also take a while to get foamed and steamed milk. Just have patience. It'll all taste delicious once you finally have it.
9. We're not always right by the donut case when you tell us what donuts you want.
If we ask you to repeat exactly what donuts you want in your box, don't get mad at us. We're usually making someone else's drink at the time, so we weren't standing by the case putting each donut in the box at the time that you told us which specific ones you want.
10. We, as employees, go home smelling like coffee and donuts every day.
I will never get tired of asking people if I smell like coffee. I love the smell of coffee and donuts when I walk into work every day.
11. Not every employee at Dunkin' likes coffee.
You would assume that every employee likes coffee, or at least has gotten used to it. That is not the case. We have other non-coffee drinks like Coolattas (blended ice drink), smoothies, or hot chocolate.
12. Every employee gets along with everyone.
We aren't like any ordinary fast food restaurant or coffee shop. All of us get along with each other and have fun together. I honestly have never heard anyone talk bad about another employee. We actually all enjoy each other's company, which makes going in at 5 a.m. not so bad after all.
