This was such a bad experience. I was on my way home from Memphis Saturday around 9:00 a.m. when I swung by to grab a chicken biscuit. As I usually do, I walked in, as I don't like being in a drive-thru.
They had a line outside, but not terrible, and only about three people ahead of me in the line inside. That is when I first noticed they were different. They were not courteous to anyone. It was so stark that I wondered how they ever passed a franchise audit. The Catheys must not use any kind of secret shopper service or they'd bust these guys in heartbeat.
The cashiers barked "next order!" as if they were in a crowded room and did not smile or in any way greet the customers. This included the manager who was also working a register at times.
I walked up and was not greeted, but asked "here or to go" in a brusque manner by a young lady. I made a point of being friendly and answered, "to go, please." After I requested the Chicken Biscuit Meal, she asked what drink and took my payment and never spoke to me. She acted terse as if she resented me personally, which was frustrating as I was nothing but respectful and courteous. It made me wonder if it might be racism, but it was just a vibe I got, so who knows?
After I paid, I moved out of the way and waited, and waited, and waited. About 10 minutes later, I finally stepped up to the manager after three of four parties behind me had been given their orders. The young man running orders to those waiting was barking out names, again, unfriendly and shoving bags into waiting hands. It was disturbing.
The manager went back to the screen, said something to him, and said it would be right out, again, not courtesy, just minimal interaction. As I stood there, I saw the young man grab my sack, and another order and race toward me as he had the others, and suddenly shove it into another boy's hand and indicate it was for me. The other boy had been cashiering and was astonished as was I. I asked him why he had done that, and the receiving boy didn't know. I stood there and said "let's ask him." As the boy whizzed back by from the dining area, he offered that he had to deliver the other order to a table, yet he walked right by me to do it. Then, to be sure I was insulted, he flipped out, "Sorry, POPS!"
I honestly think it was some kind of racist thing going on. The cashier seemed to be hostile in taking the order, with no trigger that I could detect, as I had been in a good mood when I arrived. Honestly, I think she did something to delay the order, maybe telling him to make me wait, but I have no idea. I just know that his refusal to hand it to me was a deliberate act, and handing it to the other server looked like a racist act to avoid serving me.
It is a pleasure to say that I've never, ever, encountered discourtesy before at any other location. The franchise should clean house here or close. It is damaging a hard-earned reputation at Chick-fil-A. read more