"The FAST Food Restaurant"

This is a chapter of what was going to be my book "Customer Disservice 24-7".  As always, the specific entity is not divulged! 

I love a  "deal", and I practice "grazing" through the day, so the idea of being able to pull into a fast food restaurant and purchase a chicken sandwich from a "dollar menu" appeals to me!

Yesterday, I needed mid-afternoon "fuel" so I stopped at one of our national franchised fast food restaurants.  As there were about 10 cars idling while  expending about $3.75 per gallon gas in the drive-thru line, I decided to go inside.  There were only 2 people in line so I knew that it was the correct decision!  There were 2 employees standing at 1 counter register, 2 employees  at the drive-thru area, 2 employees at the food prep area, 1 sitting on the curb smoking, 1 standing outside on a cell phone, 1 sitting in the dining area on a cell phone, 2 more at the counter talking to a friend, and 2 more wandering around the kitchen area...

The orders were taken for the 2 individuals in front of me, and then it was my turn to order..."For here, I'll have a dollar menu chicken sandwich without mayonnaise and a tap ice water."  "Is that for here, or to go?" "For here..."  "Do you want bottled water?" "No, tap water with ice!"   "So it's one grilled chicken sandwich for $3.79?"  "No,  it's the breaded chicken breast for $1!"   With the correct buttons pushed, the register showed $1.06 with tax.  I handed the cashier $5.06...I received $3.94 in change ($5.06 minus $1.06 equals $3.94?  It must be new math!

I looked toward the drive thru area, and an SUV family at the window was giving their order to a similar list of questions, while the 2 employees seemed more interested in their conversation of the last night's activities!  The floor was covered with french fries and other trash...

My order came up, was bagged, and I asked for some honey mustard sauce while I checked the sandwich to notice no lettuce, but mayonnaise!  The employee apologized and reordered.  Meanwhile, I went through the dining area with litter scattered on the floor and overflowing waste receptacles to the men's room.  There were no towels or toilet paper, the toilets were not flushed, the urinal was "out of order", and the room was generally a mess!

I passed the employees in the dining area still not working, and went back to the counter to pick up my order...meanwhile, the SUV family was at the inside counter correcting their order, and the same cars were in the drive-thru line, with their occupants talking on their cell phones, and with their engines idling...