6:00 am — Rise and shine
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The alarm goes off, signaling the beginning of a new day as an employee at the beloved McDonald's. After a short and hurried shower, it's time to eat, get all ready, and leave for the restaurant. Sometimes, eating comes last (or at all) because some days, you just don't have the energy to get your stuff together before work.
6:40 am - Rushing to work
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I step into the world with all the grace and elegance of a penguin waddling on an ice rink, a bit late and rushing. I'm still sleepy (look at the time!), and I just remembered that I'd got a full day shift. The only thing I feel deeper than my sorrow is the backpack that hangs like a loyal sidekick, reminding me of the essentials I've hopefully remembered to pack.
7:00 am — Getting ready for the shift
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I get to the restaurant just in time, quickly check the schedule, look over any updates to the menu or special offers, then head to a quick team meeting. My manager assigns each a station and tells me I'm to switch between them at certain points of the day. It's a hectic day ahead!
7:30 am — Stocking the supplies in the kitchen
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We start stocking the kitchen's shelves to make sure all the ingredients are accessible so we don't jump into the freezer in the middle of making a Big Mac. We have to make sure everything is eatable, so we also double-check expiration dates (the manager checked them once).
8:00 am — Prepping the stations
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Everyone has to set up their designated station, making sure that everything is on and functional. Everything needs to be primed and ready to go before we open the store, including grills and fryers. Truth be told, it's not so often one of the machinery breaks down (except for the ice cream one).
8:45 am — Chill out a bit (if you finished the prepping) before we open
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Ah, the coveted 8 am (phone, obviously!) break — a quick grace from the chaos of the McDonald's behind-the-scenes world (if you managed to set everything up!). It's time to indulge in a little period of digital escapism before the store's flooded with people. And hectic work.
9:00 am — Finding my life's purpose
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A wave of ravenous clients pours in as the doors swing open, ready to test my sanity. I prepare myself for the never-ending barrage of orders with a smile that rivals the Mona Lisa's. Oh, the joy of suggesting breakfast menu items and tending to the whims of hungry souls! Truly, my life's purpose!
9:30 am — Taste check in the back
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We need to perform quality checks during this serving period to make sure the food being made is good. Sometimes, because I've been here for a while, the manager asks me to help the newbies in the back with this. We only have to taste a sample of each food to make sure it's okay, though. Not a big deal.
10:30 am — At the drive-thru
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Because I've been working here for the past three years, I'm also asked to take over the drive-thru. I find consolation at the window, where I have been given the ability to handle orders at breakneck speed as the demand soars. Precision and speed with the grace of a Formula 1 pit crew is my weapon — I'm a superhero in a fast-food cape!
11:30 am — I get a chance to sit for a bit before the lunch rush begins
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We pause for a moment to regain our breath and take a well-earned respite. While not happening every day, such a break allows us to rehydrate, put our feet up, and collect our thoughts before the lunch rush hits full force. We chat, exchange jokes, and sometimes gossip (well, we're not saints!), which gives us a sense of camaraderie with a boost of energy. Don't tell me you haven't done this ever!
12:00 pm — Lunch rush is here
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Oh, the sight of famished customers swarming the restaurant like a horde of ravenous zombies! Fear not, for I am the conductor of the burger symphony. With my trusty colleagues by my side, we engage in a choreographed dance of patty flipping and condiment artistry. That hunger is vanquished one burger at a time.
12:15 pm — Orders can get (a bit) mixed up
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There is a minor possibility that a small mix-up might happen during the lunch rush amid the frenzied cacophony of orders. We aren't perfect after all! But do not worry; we have the enchanted abilities of quick recovery and excellent problem-solving. We respond to hiccups like culinary superheroes and give you something for free. Done!
12:20 pm — Our newbie freaks out a bit
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The mix-up and exchange with the customer made our newbie freak out a bit. However, there's no need to panic. My friend, we've all been here! The fryer sizzles, the shake machine dances, and the chaos unfolds, all while customers complain of wrong orders, and the manager shouts at us to get it together. Don't worry, newbie; embrace the chaos, and soon you'll be flipping patties like a seasoned pro!
2:00 pm — Lunch break
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Finally, after hours of uninterrupted work, we can take our much-needed lunch break. We do it on rotation, though, so a few of us can serve the customers entering the store. We assemble like starving soldiers and quickly eat to reenergize our worn-out bodies. While encouraging our newbie here, we also share tales of triumph and defeat so he knows he's not the only one who screwed up.
2:30 pm — I'm asked to switch to the back
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It doesn't bother me, it's a bit quieter here. I turn into a master of the grill in the field of food preparation. From the salads (very few such orders, but we're McDonald's, after all!) to the burgers, I get to show my skills in the kitchen (that's all I can do, though, don't judge me!). Basically, I create a culinary masterpiece, like a Picasso of the grill.
3:15 pm — The manager performs a second quality check
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As the manager thoroughly inspects each burger and fry (sarcasm, but you got it, wink, wink) for the second time today, it's "CSI: McDonald's Edition." He is so accurate that he can detect an out-of-place sesame seed a mile away. We have this step because usually colleagues usually shift at 3:00 pm, but I won't today because I'm special.
3:30 pm — Drive-thru party again
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At the drive-thru again, where chaos meets convenience! As the day progresses, the drive-thru becomes a bustling hub of activity. With lightning speed and the finesse of a juggler, I deftly handle orders and transactions. It's a true test of multitasking prowess and time management skills.
4:30 pm — Mentally preparing for the last battle of the day
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Today is Friday,
of all days, and payday, OF ALL DAYS! I
absolutely need to encourage myself, "Brace yourself for the incoming frenzy of Friday night payday warriors!" We gather our wits, practice our customer service smiles, and mentally prepare for the battles we shall conquer with nuggets and cheeseburgers as our weapons of choice. Game on!
5:15 pm — Back at the counter
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I'm back on the frontline of customer service. As the evening rush descends upon us, the queue stretches longer than a never-ending saga, testing our stamina. I embark on the delicate dance of taking orders while simultaneously avoiding the hazards of miscommunication. It's a juggling act that would make the greatest circus performer envious.
6:00 pm — Feeling the exhaustion already
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As the dining area transforms into a bustling oasis of hungry patrons, my mission is to offer exceptional customer service. Armed with a smile, I'm on a noble quest to conquer the land of possible miscommunication and order-taking. I'll be at the front for the rest of the day, so I up my game if I don't want to mistakenly tap on a Quarter Pounder instead of the McDouble and cause trouble.
7:00 pm — Evening rush hour is upon us!
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The enchanting evening rush is upon us, and the restaurant becomes a whirlwind of souls seeking their fast-food fix. With lightning-fast reflexes and the precision of a well-oiled machine, I navigate through the chaos, taking orders like a pro. Each customer is a puzzle to solve, a challenge to conquer. As the workday reaches its crescendo, I stand tall, a beacon of fast-food excellence in the storm of hunger. And also stand tired.
8:15 pm — Still the rush hour
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The epic spectacle of the "burger-flipping Olympic Games" is still upon us and will still be for a while. The fryers hiss and sizzle in harmony with our adrenaline-pumped hearts as we survive one more marathon-like evening at the local McDonald's. Now you probably understand why we sometimes give you the wrong order.
8:20 pm — Yes, wrong order
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Oops! It's like playing a game of "Guess the Happy Meal." But fear not, we're just adding a pinch of a surprise to spice up our customers' lives. Of course, by mistake. After a whole day of rush and a brief break, we can sometimes pack a burrito instead of your Big Mac. If you've noticed too late, bon appétit, unexpected order recipient!
8:35 pm — The occasional "hangry" customer
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This exchange, "How much longer should I wait for my order to be ready?" vs. "Ma'am, we're going quick, don't worry." vs. "Well, you better hurry up cos I ain't got the whole day!" is way more common than you think. We're usually good at appeasing them, even though some are just OTT.
11:00 pm — Finally, we're approaching the closing hour
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The team comes together to clean the kitchen as closing time draws near. We meticulously wash all of the equipment, disinfect the grills, and sanitize the surfaces. We need to leave the kitchen spotless. But not before we make ourselves some burgers. Whoever wants to eat a bit can do it already since we're likely not getting more orders now.
11:25 pm — Closing duties
As the final curtain descends upon the culinary stage, we shift our focus to the closing duties. With the precision of a symphony conductor, we embark on a symphony of cleaning, restocking supplies, counting cash drawers, and organizing the secret realms of storage. We'll leave soon, thank God!
11:30 pm — Some laughter
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While performing our end-of-the-day tasks, we also bond as a team. Going over the day's stories, laughing, and trying to see everything from a positive POV, as well as acknowledging our accomplishments (with sarcasm, of course), help us feel sane and like we can do this one more time. And then one more time.
11:35 pm — Going over the day with the manager
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We occasionally have brief "training" sessions before leaving the restaurant. Not that we did anything wrong, but because we have newbies almost all the time, the manager feels the need to go over the day to point out what we did good and what we can improve. We've got a great manager, though.
11:40 pm — One last check to ensure everything's in place
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It usually doesn't take much to clean the whole place, for the manager to check the following day's supplies, and to get everything ready for tomorrow, but we move efficiently because everyone knows what they need to do. And because we just want to go home already.
12:00 pm — Home, sweet home
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I don't really remember how I made it home because my feet ache like crazy, I'm completely and totally exhausted, and I'm also hungry af. I didn't get the chance to eat dinner due to the whole evening rush. It's not something new, though. I'm just glad I have the following two days off.