The battle of processing fast food can be won with a smile, but customers can be viewed as enemies or hungry tourists in desperate need of food. The way we welcome them, the way we take their order, the way we place their order, and the way we give them the food, is all in the day of a fast food battle.
As I stood there waiting for the next customer to emerge from the "outer world" of behind the counter, I prepared for the next order by wiping the counter top from the last battle and placing a new tray for the next attack. I then checked to see if we had enough fries so we would not run out and cause "fury". While I was reloading the fry machine, a fellow employee shouted out, "TOUR BUS! MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS." A tour bus with foreigners decided to drop in at our McDonalds for a little snack before they continued on their little journey. So I ran over to the cash register and got into position. .
As the first enemy approached me glimpsing back and forth tothe menu board, I tried to hold the forced smile of welcome on my face until he placed his order. .
Finally, after a brief wait, he pointed to which combo he wanted on the billboard in front of the cash register. It was the Wednesday deal he wanted, but unfortunately it was Thursday. .
I explained to him that that meal could only be purchased on Wednesdays but he could buy the Thursday special instead. He returned "fire" and demanded the Wednesday meal. I clearly explained to him the details about these meal specials, but he still did not understand. I then called for backup to see if my manager could talk it out with him without any bloodshed. .
When the manager came to the rescue, he took the customer aside so I could continue with the next order. This one knew exactly what he wanted. When he told me what he wanted, I punched in the order on the register as quickly as possible to get it over with. He handed me the money in exact change with a look of delight on his face.
