Chick-Fil-A Has the Best Service

[Jay]

Chick-Fil-A has consistently provided outstanding service in an age where fast food managers consider good service to be, "want fries with that?"

I have never once been to a Chick-Fil-A that had indifferent employees popping gum behind the counter and rolling their eyes at the customer while taking orders.

Sadly, they're the only ones I can say that about.

While the employees certainly deserve fair recognition, I give the majority of the credit for these experiences to the management that trains them and refuses to accept anything less than quality service.

[smileyeagle1021]

I have never once been to a Chick-Fil-A that had indifferent employees popping gum behind the counter and rolling their eyes at the customer while taking orders.

Sadly, they're the only ones I can say that about.

I've never been to a Chick-Fil-A and don't have much intention to do so... but I have heard good things about their employees.

One thing I will ask though, how often do you go to local places (or are there even any near you)?
Because the local places around where I live are amazing, I only go to Astro Burger about once or twice a month and I can walk in and the cashier, who is also the owner, recognizes me and asks if I'll have my regular or if I'd like to try something else. When I walk into Rancheritos the employees are always willing to help me practice my Spanish that I am trying to learn as long as they aren't busy while I'm waiting for my food. I go into Grinders for the first time having no clue how their menu works, just knowing my coworkers love them, and the employee very patiently walks me through their selections. I go into Scaddy's and the employees will always suggest ways that I can get more for less (and I don't mean the, would you like to supersize that to get twice as much for only $1 extra, I mean things like, did you know we have a special on a combo similar to yours type more for less).
If you haven't tried any local places, you really should, they just might surprise you

[Jay]

One thing I will ask though, how often do you go to local places (or are there even any near you)?

I spent 10 years in fast food management, and I've been to many different restaurants of all sorts. When it comes to fast food, Chick-Fil-A is the #1 corporate owned fast food restaurant when it comes to service. They've even outdone all the mom & pop shops aside from Dan'l Boon's up in the mountains of NC (that place was amazing... sit down restaurant, but it felt like you were visiting family... if you knew my family, you'd recognize that as high praise).

Mom and pop shops have an incentive to provide good service, and they are typically in a better position to do just that, so if I go to some small town burger joint and get McDonald's quality service you can bet I won't be back. If I wanted that crap, I'd go to McDonald's.

But for a corporate entity to be able to provide consistently stellar customer service regardless of which state you run across one of their establishments, that's just outstanding upper management to say the least.

[PepperElf]

Not just the employees, but the customers too. Last time I was there inside (vs drive through), it was *very* crowded but the customers were making a point of taking turns etc. Really the only negative experience was in the parking lot where one driver was going the wrong way - it's a bit of an odd setup, but even that wasn't really that bad, just a "yeesh" moment.

And foodwise, I rather like the healthy aspect. My favorite item (Salad, Chargrilled & Fruit) is only 230 calories.
Or the grilled nuggets.

[WoodenSunshine]

When I was down in Tennessee, the Chik Fil A I went to was fantastic. The lady at the register knew I wasn't from around there and suggested some fantastic food. Despite how ridiculously packed it was, she made me feel like I was the only customer.

Up here in Nutmeg land, there's a Blimpies that has similar service. The owner also works on the line and he remembers everyone. He chats you up while he's helping make your sandwich and it always, ALWAYS nice. If I were to work food again, I would love to work for him.

[smileyeagle1021]

If we are listing consistently great service at chains, I've had good luck with 5 Guys Burgers and Fries as well as In N Out Burger (though the quality of the food has been hit or miss, but the service has been great none-the-less).

[Jay]

If we are listing consistently great service at chains, I've had good luck with 5 Guys Burgers and Fries as well as In N Out Burger (though the quality of the food has been hit or miss, but the service has been great none-the-less).

5 Guys had good service when I went there in Columbus. I haven't seen many of their chains so I didn't know if that was due to the management at that particular restaurant or if it was due to corporate values.

[Pixilated]

I've never been to a Chick-Fil-A and don't have much intention to do so... but I have heard good things about their employees.

One thing I will ask though, how often do you go to local places (or are there even any near you)?
*snip*
If you haven't tried any local places, you really should, they just might surprise you

I had some local favourites back in Niagara and they were indeed very good. Once the staff got to recognize me, I often got my favourite seat (a little two-seater booth) and on occasion even got a freebie dessert for no reason. Found a tiny locally-run place here with great service and burgers to die for. It's not cheap so I won't be going often, but I will certainly go when I can. There's a larger place that's also pretty good, although they have a much wider customer base so it will likely take them longer to start to recognize me when I come in.

Regarding Chik Fil A (of which there are none in My Hometown -- I don't know if they're in Canada at all), I hate to sound ageist ... but what's the ages of the staff? I've generally found that fast-food places staffed solely by high-school and early college/university kids have more erratic service ... and please, I am not trying to slam all young people. I'm not sure I'd have been much better at their age.

[Jay]

Regarding Chik Fil A (of which there are none in My Hometown -- I don't know if they're in Canada at all), I hate to sound ageist ... but what's the ages of the staff? I've generally found that fast-food places staffed solely by high-school and early college/university kids have more erratic service ... and please, I am not trying to slam all young people. I'm not sure I'd have been much better at their age.

Not an issue in this case, though I share your concern in an overall sense. I hate getting waitresses that look like they need to study for an exam after work when I go out for a nice meal.

That is one reason I credit upper management, because while one or two restaurants in a chain might provide good service, others could be crappy if management is not being handled well up top.

[Sarlon]

Theres a local sub place that knows my order by heart and know its me if I call it in.

roast beef and provolone on white, mayo on both sides of the bread, lettuce, and oil and vinager.

[Andara Bledin]

While I have to agree that I've gotten the most consistently good service at CFA, the best service I've had have been at specific Subway and Jack in the Box locations.

The Subway in question was always good, from the first time we walked through the door. The franchise owner sent me an email for a free sub after I praised his shop to corporate for being so reliably pleasant and fast.

The JitB local to my work seems to have a good manager, because the employees always seem to be in a good mood. And, at this point, we've become such regular faces at the window that several of the employees chat with us a bit as we wait for our food to be ready (and they know us well enough to know when a new person mis-heard our order and get it corrected even before confirming it with us).

^-.-^

[MadMike]

Theres a local sub place that knows my order by heart and know its me if I call it in.

The bars where I'm a regular are like that as well. As soon as they see me walk in, they have a nice cold Budweiser on the bar for me. Of course I'm sure it helps that I'm a good tipper.

[shopgirl15]

The local Subway when I was in college was like that. First time someone behind the counter recognized me, and I was pretty surprised by it, lol.

Never been to CFA though.

[paxillated]

One thing I just LOVE about Chick-fil-a is that they are the only chain that offers a drink that is both sugar free and has no caffeine: Diet Lemonade.

You'd think the others would catch on that they'd sell more drinks and give out less water if they had a diet caffeine free drink.

[Sleepwalker]

In n Out burger is hardcore about quality service- and they pay enough to expect to get it. McDick's, not so much.