BLACKHAWKNJ
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- Oct 25, 2006
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The recent threads of board members describing their bad experiences with poor food and poor service at even "upscale" restaurants got me thing about my recent experiences with some of the fast food chains, usually Burger King or McDonald's. I recall an episode of Dick Cavett some 30 years ago, he was interviewing Julia Child, he asked what she thought of chains like those, she was quite positive, she said their quality
control was excellent, as was their portion control, she said you know what you're getting. As to the complaint that such 'food" is fattening, the one dietitian I knew said ALL food is fattening if you eat far more than you actually need-she said excess food has a way of going to "waist".
So recently I have been visiting either Burger King or McDonald's in company with some people after church. My one friend likes a nearby McDonald's, it has a play area for the kiddies where they can let off steam while adults partake, he told me he took his daughter there one day, he read while she played, the next thing he knew 2 hours had gone by. And nobody bothered him about his seat. When I go there by myself I note the parents with small children invariably gravitate to the play area-which is behind glass walls, with a door AND a bathroom, so the main dining area is usually quiet for conversation.
McDonald's has Hamburger U., which I have been told is quite rigorous
with high standards, Burger King must have something similar. I see a great deal of hands on management, at the one Burger King I often see "the" boss manning the cash register or the drive through window.
There seems to be a fair number of teenagers, at least in the summer.
I think that's good, not only do they get work experience but they have to work in a fairly disciplined work environment where rules and regulations are followed to the letter and prescribed procedures are carefully followed. The kids have to wear uniforms and at least report for work clean and neat and observe courtesy when dealing with customers.
A couple of times I have noted managers sitting down with employees, critiquing them and filling out paperwork-documentation, if you prefer.
One Burger King manager told me that each manager has quite a bit of leeway as to how he runs his store, he had a hostess to help with the seating, another told me he made sure he had one or two "healthy young bucks" to help seniors into their seats or to their cars, keep the walkway clear in snowy weather. On those occasions when I had to wait for an item I have usually been told, have a seat, it will be brought to me-and I like the ones with free refills on the soda.
In short, they understand service and know if they want your dollars they have to work for them.
control was excellent, as was their portion control, she said you know what you're getting. As to the complaint that such 'food" is fattening, the one dietitian I knew said ALL food is fattening if you eat far more than you actually need-she said excess food has a way of going to "waist".
So recently I have been visiting either Burger King or McDonald's in company with some people after church. My one friend likes a nearby McDonald's, it has a play area for the kiddies where they can let off steam while adults partake, he told me he took his daughter there one day, he read while she played, the next thing he knew 2 hours had gone by. And nobody bothered him about his seat. When I go there by myself I note the parents with small children invariably gravitate to the play area-which is behind glass walls, with a door AND a bathroom, so the main dining area is usually quiet for conversation.
McDonald's has Hamburger U., which I have been told is quite rigorous
with high standards, Burger King must have something similar. I see a great deal of hands on management, at the one Burger King I often see "the" boss manning the cash register or the drive through window.
There seems to be a fair number of teenagers, at least in the summer.
I think that's good, not only do they get work experience but they have to work in a fairly disciplined work environment where rules and regulations are followed to the letter and prescribed procedures are carefully followed. The kids have to wear uniforms and at least report for work clean and neat and observe courtesy when dealing with customers.
A couple of times I have noted managers sitting down with employees, critiquing them and filling out paperwork-documentation, if you prefer.
One Burger King manager told me that each manager has quite a bit of leeway as to how he runs his store, he had a hostess to help with the seating, another told me he made sure he had one or two "healthy young bucks" to help seniors into their seats or to their cars, keep the walkway clear in snowy weather. On those occasions when I had to wait for an item I have usually been told, have a seat, it will be brought to me-and I like the ones with free refills on the soda.
In short, they understand service and know if they want your dollars they have to work for them.
In the big picture, the organization is amazingly well run and does more than just sell hamburgers. They're not for everybody, but they fill a need. That need is mainly catering to people who haven't got the time (or who think they haven't got the time) to prepare their own food. There is no doubt better food is available. Unfortunately, having that high-quality food around when you need it is both time consuming and expensive.
