VoteRead the topic before voting - Results (14 votes)Wait it out for your 50% off discount.21.43% (3 votes)3Leave.71.43% (10 votes)10Other (comment)7.14% (1 vote)1
There's not a soul in line at Chipotle, you are excited you can just walk up, get your order made real quick, and bounce.
You get to the counter. There's an employee there at the tortilla station, but they're greeting you with the button on the top of their hat as they stare face down at slips of paper while they crank out online/call-in orders at breakneck pace.
One minute passes, you haven't been acknowledged. Possible they haven't seen you or didn't hear you come in. You say hello politely, like "hello," as opposed to rudely, like "uhh hello?"
The employee responds and says "Hello, I apologize for the delay, I'll be with you in just a moment."
Four minutes pass. The employees, including the one in front of you, continue to crank out orders as new slips of paper continue to dominate their attention. The paper is their shepherd, you are nothing.
It's been five total minutes now since you got to the front of the line and your order has not begun to be made yet. Once more, you politely, but more firmly too, ask the employee, "excuse me, I don't mean to be rude because I do see you are working, but I'd like to begin my order." You are met with a still-trying-to-be-friendly-and-understands-your-frustration "I apologize again, we are just mobbed with online orders along with a big catering order. I'll be with you as soon as I can."
You push back a hair and ask how long they think it will be. They say, "I'll be with you as soon as I can."
At this point, it's been about six minutes. You understand the employee likely has orders from management to prioritize online/larger orders and recognize it's not the employee's fault, but you've hit a point where action needs to be taken.
After two more minutes pass, you still aren't further acknowledged. You embrace inner Karen (even though it is justified at this point) and ask for a manager / shift supervisor. The employee yells to the back area, "Manager, can you come out here real quick?" while still maintaining their stream of paper slip instructions. The manager comes out after a minute, you explain the situation. The manager says, "I understand the frustration. I've got orders from our district team and Chipotle corporate that online orders and larger orders are to be prioritized, and unfortunately we are swamped today. Employee here is doing their job as instructed and will be with you just as soon as they can."
You press and say "I'm not this type of person and really don't want to be a nuisance, but can I get any sort of coupon or discount today? Like I said, I've been standing here for about ten minutes now, first in line the whole time, and my order hasn't even begun." The manager hurriedly walks over to the cashier, points to you, and returns to you. "I've just instructed Cashier to give you 50% off your order for the inconvenience. I do apologize, but I need to head back now and want to thank you for coming in" and hurriedly walks to the back area before you have a chance to formulate a response.