Poll of the Day > Attention: Fast Food workers

(+) Yeah! (+)

Ive visited a Burger King a few times near my house when Im too lazy to make something.

And each and every time I go through drive thru, they have me pull around to the parking lot and bring me out the food moments later.

Its not like the Drive thru is busy.

Seems very odd and suspicious. Why would they do this? Its an inconvenience for them to have to walk my food out instead of simply just handing it to me.
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Probably taking longer than expected to make.
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My BK does that too.
And I can tell you from about 3 years of working in fast food myself, they do it to make sure drive-thru doesn't get backed up.
If your food is a big order, or you order something they need to put through the fryer for a few minutes (Like chicken nuggets, patties etc.) that will take longer than the typical burgers because they don't have those pre-made in a meat chest already.
So in case another vehicle does go through the drive-thru that maybe just orders a fountain drink and a cheeseburger, they can get those orders out of the way first so that the orders don't get backed up and workplace goes to hell.
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Mc D's has done this to me every time since they made quarter pounders made to order. Used to only happen occasionally when ordering a fried chicken sandwich at night. Fast food is doubling down on their wait times and their seconds are micromanaged back there.

Thank you, guys, for the responses.

I just wanted to make sure they werent adding any secret sauce to my food.
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They are trying to boost their speedy service score they have one for when you are ordering and one for when you are at the window.

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They need 5 more minutes to heat your food in microwave.
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One reason is to take care of smaller orders behind that car. And as mentioned, there's a timer for drive thru orders, and they're expected to take no more than a certain amount of time for each order. Which is ridiculous, because any number of things can drag them out; problems with payment, not understanding the customer, I've seen people take seven minutes just to finalize an order.

Stores can avoid running up the timer in several ways, like pulling cars over or not immediately ringing up an order. I've seen average drive thru times that are completely impossible through normal means. But corporate just cares about low numbers.
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keyblader1985 posted...

One reason is to take care of smaller orders behind that car. And as mentioned, there's a timer for drive thru orders, and they're expected to take no more than a certain amount of time for each order. Which is ridiculous, because any number of things can drag them out; problems with payment, not understanding the customer, I've seen people take seven minutes just to finalize an order.

Stores can avoid running up the timer in several ways, like pulling cars over or not immediately ringing up an order. I've seen average drive thru times that are completely impossible through normal means. But corporate just cares about low numbers.

Yeah it's to promote better "service" but instead you get workers rushing customers so they won't get bitched at by their general manager who want bonuses and not being bitched at by the area supervisor.

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Ive only had McDonalds do this for their McChicken sandwich. Havent been there recently though.
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Fierce_Deity_08 posted...

Ive only had McDonalds do this for their McChicken sandwich. Havent been there recently though.

This happened last night with my roommate. He had two McChickens and we had to pull up. Though, they said they were just waiting for fries...
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Zangulus posted...

One reason they do this is that the drive through has expected average time for delivery. When they ask you to pull away they can mark yours done and bring the next people up.

My local McDonalds in the morning never puts my order in when Im at the speaker. They do it when I get to the window then cash it out and hit done. So its literally like a 5 second time. It brings down the averages for later in the day when it does get busy.

That's just clever.

Zangulus posted...

I hate it. They fuck up the order almost every time. Even when I'm the only one there. They never remember what I asked for at the speaker and I have to repeat myself. And sometimes they just plain put it in wrong and I get the wrong food.

You know... I couldnt even tell you the last time a fast food place screwed up my order. When I was a kid, I remember it happened a lot, and whatever adult I would be with would get really pissed off over it.

But that was decades ago. Honestly, I feel like they get it right every single time now (watch, my next 10 orders will get messed up now...)
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Just another reason, besides the awful taste of McDonald's meat after I quit smoking, why I won't go to most fast food anymore. Wendy's and Taco Bell once in while if I'm feeling lazy. Honestly the stuff I make at home tastes far better. I even found some great ground sausage to make McMuffin/Dunkin type breakfast sandwiches at less than half the price too.
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Ferarri619 posted...

My BK does that too.
And I can tell you from about 3 years of working in fast food myself, they do it to make sure drive-thru doesn't get backed up.
If your food is a big order, or you order something they need to put through the fryer for a few minutes (Like chicken nuggets, patties etc.) that will take longer than the typical burgers because they don't have those pre-made in a meat chest already.
So in case another vehicle does go through the drive-thru that maybe just orders a fountain drink and a cheeseburger, they can get those orders out of the way first so that the orders don't get backed up and workplace goes to hell.

how about they do orders on a first come, first served basis
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There's 2 McDonald's in the city closest to me. One is great: almost never have to wait (if you do, it's not more than 2 minutes) and everything tastes fresh. Recently built about 4 years ago. Always busy but never packed.

Other one constantly screws up orders. It's like they intentionally hire people who are incompetent or just don't give two shits. Last month, Dept of Health came down on them hard after at least 8 cases of food poisoning were traced back to that McDonald's. The owner was renovating (again after just doing it 3 years ago) but had to stop because of money. Always packed and it's the best place to buy uncooked burgers

Krazy_Kirby posted...

how about they do orders on a first come, first served basis

If you order one medium fry and the car in front of you has a $50 order, are you willing to wait until that's done?
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keyblader1985 posted...

Krazy_Kirby posted...

how about they do orders on a first come, first served basis

If you order one medium fry and the car in front of you has a $50 order, are you willing to wait until that's done?

Very true. First come first served is not sustainable, period.
I think you've had to work fast food to understand.
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Krazy_Kirby posted...

Ferarri619 posted...

My BK does that too.
And I can tell you from about 3 years of working in fast food myself, they do it to make sure drive-thru doesn't get backed up.
If your food is a big order, or you order something they need to put through the fryer for a few minutes (Like chicken nuggets, patties etc.) that will take longer than the typical burgers because they don't have those pre-made in a meat chest already.
So in case another vehicle does go through the drive-thru that maybe just orders a fountain drink and a cheeseburger, they can get those orders out of the way first so that the orders don't get backed up and workplace goes to hell.

how about they do orders on a first come, first served basis

That can easily backfire. Someone getting coffee shouldnt have to wait for the guy in front buying enough food for an army of children that may take a long time as its more than they can handle at once or whatever...
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Krazy_Kirby posted...

how about they do orders on a first come, first served basis

I can tell you that most people aren't willing to wait for a church lady who wants a 12 piece chicken box and biscuits all cooked fresh. When all they have is a regular burger fry and drink combo

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LinkPizza posted...

Krazy_Kirby posted...

Ferarri619 posted...

My BK does that too.
And I can tell you from about 3 years of working in fast food myself, they do it to make sure drive-thru doesn't get backed up.
If your food is a big order, or you order something they need to put through the fryer for a few minutes (Like chicken nuggets, patties etc.) that will take longer than the typical burgers because they don't have those pre-made in a meat chest already.
So in case another vehicle does go through the drive-thru that maybe just orders a fountain drink and a cheeseburger, they can get those orders out of the way first so that the orders don't get backed up and workplace goes to hell.

how about they do orders on a first come, first served basis

That can easily backfire. Someone getting coffee shouldnt have to wait for the guy in front buying enough food for an army of children that may take a long time as its more than they can handle at once or whatever...

We should just abolish line culture altogether. Just everyone crowd around the menu and shout your orders in unison.
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Gunsandredroses posted...

LinkPizza posted...

Krazy_Kirby posted...

Ferarri619 posted...

My BK does that too.
And I can tell you from about 3 years of working in fast food myself, they do it to make sure drive-thru doesn't get backed up.
If your food is a big order, or you order something they need to put through the fryer for a few minutes (Like chicken nuggets, patties etc.) that will take longer than the typical burgers because they don't have those pre-made in a meat chest already.
So in case another vehicle does go through the drive-thru that maybe just orders a fountain drink and a cheeseburger, they can get those orders out of the way first so that the orders don't get backed up and workplace goes to hell.

how about they do orders on a first come, first served basis

That can easily backfire. Someone getting coffee shouldnt have to wait for the guy in front buying enough food for an army of children that may take a long time as its more than they can handle at once or whatever...

We should just abolish line culture altogether. Just everyone crowd around the menu and shout your orders in unison.

But I actually like getting my food, so...
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That's pretty strange! Never had that happen to me before! I'd wager a guess and say it's to do with timing.