"Good customer service is the lifeblood of any business. You can offer promotions and slash prices to bring in as many new customers as you want, but unless you can get some of those customers to come back, your business won't be profitable for long."
- Sir Richard Branson -
In fast food places where things move quickly, it's very important to keep the food safe and get orders right. But some issues like wrong orders, bad attitudes, and unsanitized food handling is the making of a very dissatisfied, and disappointed customers, that happens all too often.
Getting the order wrong and displaying bad attitudes are common complaints among fast food customers. From missing items to mixing up orders, these mistakes frustrate and inconvenience customers. It's not only about the food; service and attention to detail are also crucial. What baffles me is why restaurant employees sometimes become upset with customers when they make mistakes with orders.
Not only is the food quality, and accuracy of the order is important, the employees attitudes also play a big part in shaping the customer experience. Being rude, using a bad tone and tenor, or lacking professionalism leaves a bad impression, and will give the customer a very dissatisfied, and disappointing experience. No matter how fast-paced the place is, customers deserve to be treated with respect. After all, we are spending our hard earned money patronizing their establishment.
Furthermore, I have personally witnessed employees mishandling food, which prompted me to report the incidents to the health department. One common example we have all observed is the practice of placing freshly fried chicken directly against the glass in food warmers, which poses a risk of cross-contamination. Any manager who has passed the ServSafe test understands that when food comes into contact with surfaces other than designated serving trays and utensils, it constitutes cross-contamination. In terms of food safety, cross-contamination can occur when food encounters inappropriate surfaces. Particularly concerning is when freshly fried chicken is placed against a glass surface in a food warmer that has been cleaned with chemicals. This action raises the possibility of cleaning residues or traces of chemicals transferring to the food, leading to potential health risks if consumed. Reflect on how many times you or someone you know has fallen ill after consuming such food. It is therefore imperative to ensure that surfaces in contact with food are thoroughly cleaned, rinsed, and sanitized to prevent instances of cross-contamination and uphold food safety standards. Cleaning surfaces with harsh chemicals without proper rinsing can also pose health hazards. Additionally, some fast food establishments only sporadically clean the glass surfaces, increasing the risk of contamination, especially due to the smeared and nasty appearance of the glass and its surroundings.
While not all fast food restaurants engage in such practices, any instance of unsafe food handling is concerning. All restaurants should focus on proper training on food safety guidelines, protocols, and cleanliness. If restaurants employees follow strict procedures, establishments can ensure a safe and clean environment for customers.
All in all, it is crucial for fast food restaurants to focus on both customer service and food safety. By promoting a culture of customer satisfaction, cleanliness, following protocols, and providing ongoing training, restaurants can create a welcoming and safe environment for customers. It is my hope that excellence in serving customers and ensuring the food we eat is accurate, safe, and healthy prevail.
