I learned a lot in my time at McDonald's. Flipped some burgers. Saw how it's done behind the scenes. Below is a tidbit of what I found out while working there.
1.Every sandwich is a little more delectable if you add bacon to it
More of a personal opinion than anything, but for a slight upcharge you can add bacon to any sandwich and instantly upgrade into another stratosphere. Trust me, it's more than worth it.
2.Yes, we promise it’s fresh
If you ask for something fresh, that's the way it's going to be. Hot off the grill, straight out of the fryer, and into your hands as quickly as humanely possible. We work hard to get it right.
3.We read your order back to you for a reason
I can't tell you how many times I would read an order back to a customer only for them to complain later that the order had somehow been messed up. Occasionally it was the guys on the grill who goofed an order, but more often than not it was a customer thinking they'd ordered something they hadn't or vice versa. We read the order back for a reason. Listen carefully and if it's not right let me know before I send it back to the kitchen.
4.Patience is a rarity among some customers
This one's stereotypical, but true. Most people were understanding of the multiple stresses of running around behind that counter. But those few who wanted their food 30 seconds after ordering were the worst. They could be irritable, antsy, and throw off the whole morale of the store. It's coming, I promise.
5.Cleanliness among customers is also more uncommon than you would think
Again, while most people knew how to clean up after themselves, the number of napkins and straw wrappers and WHOLE TRAYS OF FOOD that I picked up after people was often ridiculous. Even though McDonald's is a fast food restaurant, that doesn't mean it should be trashed without regard.
6.Each manager is a little bit different
This one's kinda true for any business; managers have different styles. Our first store manager was much more strict and unforgiving than her replacement and the replacement could be more strict and reserved at times than our shift managers. It became a good lesson on how to work with different personalities at a basic level, one I won't readily forget.
7.So is each store
Not every store has the same specialty items or does everything exactly the same way. Especially in an industry like fast food, we strive uniformity, but just like people are different, so are stores. So don't get upset if we don't have the newest sandwich; there's a lot of other good stuff on the menu.
8.We’re a McDonald’s, not a one stop shop
At the same time, McDonald's doesn't have everything but the kitchen sink hidden in the back. In my time at the store we had a variety of people ask for everything from batteries to alcohol. We're a restaurant, not a hardware store or a Wal-Mart.
9.Our employees really do come from a variety of backgrounds, and it’s super cool
In my time I worked with other students, elderly woman, middle-aged men, single mothers, and prisoners on work release. The beauty of the McDonald's system was that no one was really "superior" to anyone else. We all pitched in when it was needed and we all supported each other regardless of who we were or where we came from.
10.When we say we’re trying to save you money, we really are
I can't tell you the number of people that tried to argue with the order-takers when they suggested bundling a number of items to try and reduce the cost of the meal. No, we aren't trying to cheat you out of anything or reduce your portion size; we are legitimately trying to keep more money in your pocket so that you're satisfied with your experience.
11.We’re people too
The general rudeness that came from some customers (usually infrequently) was something that I put up with, but not that I particularly enjoyed. No, not all of us are out there protesting to be paid $15 and hour. No, not all of us are bums. The vast majority of people at McDonald's are just trying to scratch an honest living out of a low-skill job. They've got families to support and bills to pay, same as those guys on the other side of the counter; we're people too.