Working At McDonalds

[KennedyMcKenna]

Has anyone every worked at McDonalds? If so, is it as bad as one would imagine? Also, I'm sure that it varies by store, but is it worth even applying? I have a friend who just wants a little part time job to help out on her monthly expenses.

TIA!

 

[NiftyJ88]

I never worked at McD's, but I did work at Burger King when I was 15-16. I made more there than I did working at a daycare in college. I think I got $6.75/hr + an extra $1/hour if I worked a closing shift.
Honestly, it wasn't my least favorite job. I was very competent and it was usually fast-paced so the time went quickly.

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

IMO, it really depends on your work ethic and ability to absorb various mentalities, (it is a customer service job, obviously).


DW's aunt worked at several different McD's, working her way up to manager. She loved her job. Even though it has a reputation for lazy teens to get employment, she said that you've never worked harder in your life, until you have worked rush hour at the counter.

 

[KennedyMcKenna]

I never worked at McD's, but I did work at Burger King when I was 15-16. I made more there than I did working at a daycare in college. I think I got $6.75/hr + an extra $1/hour if I worked a closing shift.
Honestly, it wasn't my least favorite job. I was very competent and it was usually fast-paced so the time went quickly.

Thanks for the info! Was/Is $6.75 the minimum wage in your state?

 

[worm761]

Until I became a SAHM, fast food was my career choice. Not something most people would choose but I honestly loved my job! I have worked at McDonalds and honestly, it really depends on the people that she will be working with. One thing I would suggest is that she go in as a customer and talk to the kid working front counter. Ask them if they like their job. If they do then it is a good environment. I always tried to make it fun for my employees but some days it just sucked. I could tell some stories. I once had a customer scream at me because she came through the drive thru during a tropical storm and rain got in her vehicle. I am still not sure how she wanted me to get her food to her without her rolling down her window or if she just thought that being the store manager meant the I personally controlled the weather. But for the most part I loved it. And if and when I go back to work, it will be in the same field.

 

[KennedyMcKenna]

IMO, it really depends on your work ethic and ability to absorb various mentalities, (it is a customer service job, obviously).


DW's aunt worked at several different McD's, working her way up to manager. She loved her job. Even though it has a reputation for lazy teens to get employment, she said that you've never worked harder in your life, until you have worked rush hour at the counter.

Thanks for the info! Enjoy your upcoming trip!

 

[KennedyMcKenna]

Until I became a SAHM, fast food was my career choice. Not something most people would choose but I honestly loved my job! I have worked at McDonalds and honestly, it really depends on the people that she will be working with. One thing I would suggest is that she go in as a customer and talk to the kid working front counter. Ask them if they like their job. If they do then it is a good environment. I always tried to make it fun for my employees but some days it just sucked. I could tell some stories. I once had a customer scream at me because she came through the drive thru during a tropical storm and rain got in her vehicle. I am still not sure how she wanted me to get her food to her without her rolling down her window or if she just thought that being the store manager meant the I personally controlled the weather. But for the most part I loved it. And if and when I go back to work, it will be in the same field.

Thanks so much!!

 

[richs52]

McDonald's was my first job when I was sixteen (1991) and I stayed there through my undergraduate degree(1998). Things may be different today, but McDonalds taught me the high work ethic that has helped me succeed in life. I think back fondly to my time there and the things that I learned about working hard, being nice to people, and being treated (and treating people) fairly.

If I ever needed to, I would not hesitate to apply for a job at McDonald's again.

Good luck to you.

 

[KennedyMcKenna]

McDonald's was my first job when I was sixteen (1991) and I stayed there through my undergraduate degree(1998). Things may be different today, but McDonalds taught me the high work ethic that has helped me succeed in life. I think back fondly to my time there and the things that I learned about working hard, being nice to people, and being treated (and treating people) fairly.

If I ever needed to, I would not hesitate to apply for a job at McDonald's again.

Good luck to you.

Thanks for the info, I already told her to go for it, and I went ahead and applied myself! What the heck right? I'm a stay at home online student, so from what I've heard, it seems like all the steryotypes you hear about fast food are unwarrented

 

[richs52]

Thanks for the info, I already told her to go for it, and I went ahead and applied myself! What the heck right? I'm a stay at home online student, so from what I've heard, it seems like all the steryotypes you hear about fast food are unwarrented

Fast food isn't glamorous, but it's really what you make of it. Just remember the way you like to be treated when you go up to the counter/drive thru, and treat people the same. You will always get complainers/rude customers, but that is no different in high-end dining.

Show up on time, work hard and take a little pride in your job. Though lately they are few and far between, I always get a little excited when I see a fast food worker who takes pride in their job. Lately it seems I can barely get a correct order, let alone a smile or a "Come see us again!"

 

[KennedyMcKenna]

Fast food isn't glamorous, but it's really what you make of it. Just remember the way you like to be treated when you go up to the counter/drive thru, and treat people the same. You will always get complainers/rude customers, but that is no different in high-end dining.

Show up on time, work hard and take a little pride in your job. Though lately they are few and far between, I always get a little excited when I see a fast food worker who takes pride in their job. Lately it seems I can barely get a correct order, let alone a smile or a "Come see us again!"

I agree. If you're not happy to have a job and be there, go home and go back to bed. You don't have to go to work, you get to go to work!

 

[IDoDis]

I worked at McD's when I was in high school and part of college. I really enjoyed the job. I did not like working on the grill cooking, but only had to do that a few times before I was moved to the front. My favorite was working drive-thru.

I'll never forget one time when a charter bus full of teen boy scouts from Japan arrived unexpectedly. None of them spoke good English at all. They all ordered the same thing -- a hamburger -- probably because that's all they knew. My boss had told the cooks to put down meats, fish, chicken, etc... when we saw them pull up (usually buses call ahead of time to let us know, but this one was a surprise), but they were only ordering hamburgers.

We quickly ran out of hamburgers and change because every single boy paid with a crisp new $20 and $50 dollar bills. One manager had to run out for more change while the rest of us tried to sell the other foods that were just cooked. I held out the different burgers showing them what they were so they could just point to what they wanted. I also poured chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry shakes into courtesy cups so they could point to what they wanted to drink (otherwise, they all ordered the same drink -- Coke).

We finally had them all seated and eating various foods, but before we knew it, they all got up and started getting back in line again to order apple pies!!! Every single one of them wanted an apple pie and they all tried paying again with another $20 bill! It was hilarious!

We tried telling them that we didn't have any more change and to use the change we gave them before (while we frantically cooked more pies). One boy took out all of his bills and held them in front of me like he was holding a poker hand of cards and just let me pick the bill(s) I needed for his purchase. Talk about trusting!

After they finished eating, they asked us if we could go outside and take a picture with them in front of their bus, which several of us did. Then, we threw little sample packets of the McDonald-land cookies out the drive-thru window at them. They were cheering and grabbing for the cookies.

When they drove off, they were all waving through the bus window and we were all waving back at them through the drive-thru window.

I swear if we had footage of that day and added some sappy music to that footage, we would have had an awesome McDonald's commercial!

 

[akcire]

Has anyone every worked at McDonalds? If so, is it as bad as one would imagine? Also, I'm sure that it varies by store, but is it worth even applying? I have a friend who just wants a little part time job to help out on her monthly expenses.

TIA!

McDonalds rocks, many a friend has worked there to get them through economic shortfalls. They are open a ton of hours, and are usually helpful at scheduling hours that work for you.

If there are any company owned McDonald's, as opposed to franchised I would recommend a company store.

 

[KennedyMcKenna]

I worked at McD's when I was in high school and part of college. I really enjoyed the job. I did not like working on the grill cooking, but only had to do that a few times before I was moved to the front. My favorite was working drive-thru.

I'll never forget one time when a charter bus full of teen boy scouts from Japan arrived unexpectedly. None of them spoke good English at all. They all ordered the same thing -- a hamburger -- probably because that's all they knew. My boss had told the cooks to put down meats, fish, chicken, etc... when we saw them pull up (usually buses call ahead of time to let us know, but this one was a surprise), but they were only ordering hamburgers.

We quickly ran out of hamburgers and change because every single boy paid with a crisp new $20 and $50 dollar bills. One manager had to run out for more change while the rest of us tried to sell the other foods that were just cooked. I held out the different burgers showing them what they were so they could just point to what they wanted. I also poured chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry shakes into courtesy cups so they could point to what they wanted to drink (otherwise, they all ordered the same drink -- Coke).

We finally had them all seated and eating various foods, but before we knew it, they all got up and started getting back in line again to order apple pies!!! Every single one of them wanted an apple pie and they all tried paying again with another $20 bill! It was hilarious!

We tried telling them that we didn't have any more change and to use the change we gave them before (while we frantically cooked more pies). One boy took out all of his bills and held them in front of me like he was holding a poker hand of cards and just let me pick the bill(s) I needed for his purchase. Talk about trusting!

After they finished eating, they asked us if we could go outside and take a picture with them in front of their bus, which several of us did. Then, we threw little sample packets of the McDonald-land cookies out the drive-thru window at them. They were cheering and grabbing for the cookies.

When they drove off, they were all waving through the bus window and we were all waving back at them through the drive-thru window.

I swear if we had footage of that day and added some sappy music to that footage, we would have had an awesome McDonald's commercial!

That is too funny!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KennedyMcKenna]

McDonalds rocks, many a friend has worked there to get them through economic shortfalls. They are open a ton of hours, and are usually helpful at scheduling hours that work for you.

If there are any company owned McDonald's, as opposed to franchised I would recommend a company store.

Thanks for the advice!!!!

 

[disneychrista]

Another one that had a graet experience working at McDonalds (late 80's - early/mid 90's). I made some great friends there. Learned a lot there.

 

[GhostLady]

My DD16 got a call about 3-4 months ago from Mcd's to tell her she had the job. Her very 1st job. She "knew" she would hate it because other students at her school had worked there and quit after a short time. She had planned to work there until she could find another job.

She is still working there and loves it. She hasn't even filled out any other applications. Most of her co-workers have all been there for quite awhile (a few of them for years) and they seem happy too.

I don't think she has any plans to quit. I'd ground her if she does because I would miss the discounted Mochas that she brings me.

 

[luvsJack]

I worked at Burger King as a teen and again, for a short time, as a single mom. I also worked in a fast food chicken place. Also, my son has worked in McDonalds several times.

We both enjoyed working in fast food. It does depend on a person's attitude about dealing with the public but it also depends on the managers in your particular store. Some places move someone up the ladder because of a lot of things that have nothing to do with their ability to manage and supervise.

 

[gracie1]

I have never worked at McD's but I worked at Arby's when I was in high school, started there at 13 years old and went on till I was 18. I loved working in fast food! I have had my past job for 9 years now and it's in bookkeeping. If it weren't for the money and benefits....I would go back to fast food in a heartbeat. I told my friends that if I leave this job I am going to work either in retail of fast food. No more office jobs for me

 

[Chicago526]

I worked at McD's in high school. It wasn't too bad. Came home smelling like a french fry every night though! I left when all they offered me was a 5 cent raise for my first review. Target had opened across the street and was paying $1 more an hour. I only left for the higher pay, the job itself was okay.

I've heard mixed things about franchise stores. Some owners are awsome and others are something out of a Dickens novel. Corporate stores are usually well run with good managers. I'd pick a corporate store over a franchise store, unless I really knew a lot about the owner was happy about what I'd heard about him/her.