WTF...Just getting lunch!!

[ripvanwinkle]

Today, Sunday, I flew in this afternoon from visiting my grand kids. I was hungry so I thought I'd swing by on my way home from the airport to a Wendy's to get some food. When I arrived there was 10 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. It was locked and a sign said dining room closed. Not wanting to wait I drove to a McDonald's just a few blocks away on the same street. Again I saw about 11 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. Same thing. Lobby closed. I wasn't going to go to the drive thru.

Being undeterred, my quest for lunch continued to another McDonald's just a few block from my house. Again same thing. Dining room closed. I ended up going thru the drive up after waiting behind 15 cars. It took me over 1 hour to finally get some food.

 

I asked the cashier why dining room closed and she said Covid. Covid my eye. I think its just a excuse to reduce the number of employees due to the new higher minimum wage my state started.

[billisonboard]

Glad you got lunch.

[wvugurl26]

We found the same thing in Virginia along I-95. Very annoying when gas stations have no bathroom. Ended up using grocery store bathroom. I started taking notes on my phone of exits to avoid.

I'm guessing it is a lack of employees? You need fewer employees to do drive through only.

[Opti]

The pandemic has changed how retail customers act and even some retail employees are getting back at customers. It could be staffing. It could be liability. It could be lots of things. Not having the dining room open makes it safer for employees. They can only be attacked through the drive thru and its harder to get through the window than jump the counter.

Plus given that incident at Wendy's, its safer for customers too.

[Tennesseer]

Aug 21, 2022 19:59:29 GMT -5 ripvanwinkle said:

Today, Sunday, I flew in this afternoon from visiting my grand kids. I was hungry so I thought I'd swing by on my way home from the airport to a Wendy's to get some food. When I arrived there was 10 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. It was locked and a sign said dining room closed. Not wanting to wait I drove to a McDonald's just a few blocks away on the same street. Again I saw about 11 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. Same thing. Lobby closed. I wasn't going to go to the drive thru.

Being undeterred, my quest for lunch continued to another McDonald's just a few block from my house. Again same thing. Dining room closed. I ended up going thru the drive up after waiting behind 15 cars. It took me over 1 hour to finally get some food.

 

I asked the cashier why dining room closed and she said Covid. Covid my eye. I think its just a excuse to reduce the number of employees due to the new higher minimum wage my state started.

So which would you prefer- more employees to get you our lunch or a living wage for lunch servers?

[ripvanwinkle]

Aug 21, 2022 21:14:42 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Aug 21, 2022 19:59:29 GMT -5 ripvanwinkle said:

Today, Sunday, I flew in this afternoon from visiting my grand kids. I was hungry so I thought I'd swing by on my way home from the airport to a Wendy's to get some food. When I arrived there was 10 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. It was locked and a sign said dining room closed. Not wanting to wait I drove to a McDonald's just a few blocks away on the same street. Again I saw about 11 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. Same thing. Lobby closed. I wasn't going to go to the drive thru.

Being undeterred, my quest for lunch continued to another McDonald's just a few block from my house. Again same thing. Dining room closed. I ended up going thru the drive up after waiting behind 15 cars. It took me over 1 hour to finally get some food.

 

I asked the cashier why dining room closed and she said Covid. Covid my eye. I think its just a excuse to reduce the number of employees due to the new higher minimum wage my state started.

So which would you prefer- more employees to get you our lunch or a living wage for lunch servers?

At that time I'd take 1 more employee. I'm sure just 1 could handle the dining room. 

[wvugurl26]

Personally it was annoying while traveling. It's already a 9 hour trip and was made worse by difficultly finding a place for a bathroom stop. If there was a sign out on the interstate then I could just avoid them. But in 2022 I'm not expecting the lobby to be closed due to covid. I'm sure they are stretched for employees. We were trying to be efficient and get food and bathroom stop at one location and a closed lobby makes that impossible. Locally it doesn't really matter. Didn't seem to be an issue in North or South Carolina but south of Richmond it was awful.

[ripvanwinkle]

I think since these chains have billboards on the street they should say their drive thru is open but lobby is closed.

[billisonboard]

Aug 21, 2022 19:59:29 GMT -5 ripvanwinkle said:

Today, Sunday, I flew in this afternoon from visiting my grand kids. I was hungry so I thought I'd swing by on my way home from the airport to a Wendy's to get some food. When I arrived there was 10 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. It was locked and a sign said dining room closed. Not wanting to wait I drove to a McDonald's just a few blocks away on the same street. Again I saw about 11 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. Same thing. Lobby closed. I wasn't going to go to the drive thru.

Being undeterred, my quest for lunch continued to another McDonald's just a few block from my house. Again same thing. Dining room closed. I ended up going thru the drive up after waiting behind 15 cars. It took me over 1 hour to finally get some food.

 

I asked the cashier why dining room closed and she said Covid. Covid my eye. I think its just a excuse to reduce the number of employees due to the new higher minimum wage my state started.

10 cars, then 11, then 15. I think the universe was fucking with you.

[Tennesseer]

Why is my McDonald’s Drive-Thru only?
We are closely monitoring all local, state and federal regulations to provide customers with a contactless pickup experience. As a result of these regulations, some restaurants are only serving customers through the Drive-Thru, while others remain open for carry-out, as well as serving customers through the Drive-Thru, with Mobile Order and Pay on McDonald's Global Mobile App and with McDelivery®.

Why is the PlayPlace closed?
In compliance with state and local social-distancing requirements to help reduce the further spread of COVID-19, McDonald’s PlayPlaces are temporarily closed. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we’re still happy to serve you your favorite McDonald’s meal to enjoy to-go through the Drive-Thru, with Mobile Order and Pay on McDonald’s Global Mobile App and with McDelivery®.


McDonald’s COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

[Tennesseer]

We’re incredibly proud of the way our Wendy’s family came together and worked to provide great restaurant experiences while the safety and well-being of our customers and employees remained our top priority.

Flexed restaurant operations: As most of our restaurants shifted to a predominantly drive-thru operating model, we also expanded our digital offerings in the U.S. and Canada to provide safe, contactless options like curbside pick-up and delivery.


We’re incredibly proud of the way our Wendy’s family came together and worked to provide great restaurant experiences while the safety and well-being of our customers and employees remained our top priority.

[billisonboard]

Aug 21, 2022 22:40:29 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Why is my McDonald’s Drive-Thru only?
We are closely monitoring all the comings and goings of ripvanwinkle . As a result of these observations, some restaurants are only serving customers through the Drive-Thru when he is nearby, while others farther away remain open for carry-out, as well as serving customers through the Drive-Thru, with Mobile Order and Pay on McDonald's Global Mobile App and with McDelivery®.

Why is the PlayPlace closed?
In compliance with state and local social-distancing requirements to help reduce the further spread of COVID-19, McDonald’s PlayPlaces are temporarily closed. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we’re still happy to serve you your favorite McDonald’s meal to enjoy to-go through the Drive-Thru, with Mobile Order and Pay on McDonald’s Global Mobile App and with McDelivery®.


McDonald’s COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

[Tiny]

Aug 21, 2022 19:59:29 GMT -5 ripvanwinkle said:

Today, Sunday, I flew in this afternoon from visiting my grand kids. I was hungry so I thought I'd swing by on my way home from the airport to a Wendy's to get some food. When I arrived there was 10 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. It was locked and a sign said dining room closed. Not wanting to wait I drove to a McDonald's just a few blocks away on the same street. Again I saw about 11 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. Same thing. Lobby closed. I wasn't going to go to the drive thru.

Being undeterred, my quest for lunch continued to another McDonald's just a few block from my house. Again same thing. Dining room closed. I ended up going thru the drive up after waiting behind 15 cars. It took me over 1 hour to finally get some food.

 

I asked the cashier why dining room closed and she said Covid. Covid my eye. I think its just a excuse to reduce the number of employees due to the new higher minimum wage my state started.

Geez, I would have just gone home after the experience at Wendy's and then seeing long lines at the other Fast Food places.   I would have made a PB&J when I got home.     

I do admire your tenaciousness and perhaps your ability to stick to your principles (I want fast food and gosh darn it! I will have fast food no matter what the cost!).         I wouldn't have spent that much time or energy while hungry to get Fast Food  (that wasn't fast - and is debatable as to whether it's "food" or not.) .  


FWIW:  I live in a densely populated urban area - so much so that most of the big name fast food restaurants repeat every .5 mile.  I pass 4 McDonald's on my weekly grocery shopping trip (a 3 mile round trip).     There are dozens and dozens of fast food restaurants to choose from - and they all seem to have 7 or 8 cars in the drive thru no matter what time of day or night when I am considering the "convenience" of fast food.     Needless to say - I eat a lot of PB&Js or what ever prepared food I already have at home.        

[ripvanwinkle]

Thats interesting. The McDonalds and Wendys dining room by my work is open. Just 4 miles further down the road.

[Opti]

Aug 21, 2022 23:25:22 GMT -5 ripvanwinkle said:

Thats interesting. The McDonalds and Wendys dining room by my work is open. Just 4 miles further down the road.

Different town? Different owner? Different county?

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Aug 21, 2022 22:54:21 GMT -5 Tiny said:

Aug 21, 2022 19:59:29 GMT -5 ripvanwinkle said:

Today, Sunday, I flew in this afternoon from visiting my grand kids. I was hungry so I thought I'd swing by on my way home from the airport to a Wendy's to get some food. When I arrived there was 10 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. It was locked and a sign said dining room closed. Not wanting to wait I drove to a McDonald's just a few blocks away on the same street. Again I saw about 11 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. Same thing. Lobby closed. I wasn't going to go to the drive thru.

Being undeterred, my quest for lunch continued to another McDonald's just a few block from my house. Again same thing. Dining room closed. I ended up going thru the drive up after waiting behind 15 cars. It took me over 1 hour to finally get some food.

 

I asked the cashier why dining room closed and she said Covid. Covid my eye. I think its just a excuse to reduce the number of employees due to the new higher minimum wage my state started.

Geez, I would have just gone home after the experience at Wendy's and then seeing long lines at the other Fast Food places.   I would have made a PB&J when I got home.     

I do admire your tenaciousness and perhaps your ability to stick to your principles (I want fast food and gosh darn it! I will have fast food no matter what the cost!).         I wouldn't have spent that much time or energy while hungry to get Fast Food  (that wasn't fast - and is debatable as to whether it's "food" or not.) .  


FWIW:  I live in a densely populated urban area - so much so that most of the big name fast food restaurants repeat every .5 mile.  I pass 4 McDonald's on my weekly grocery shopping trip (a 3 mile round trip).     There are dozens and dozens of fast food restaurants to choose from - and they all seem to have 7 or 8 cars in the drive thru no matter what time of day or night when I am considering the "convenience" of fast food.     Needless to say - I eat a lot of PB&Js or what ever prepared food I already have at home.        

To be honest, when traveling we tend to eat up what is in the fridge the week before we go. The last thing I want to have to do upon getting home is thinking about what to make to eat. Fast food isn't ideal for us, but it prevents us from having to scramble to the grocery store right after getting home when all we want to do is unpack and unwind. Yep, PB & J isn't an option for us.

[tractor]

All our local fast food places now have the lobby open. They have at least one employee doing nothing but wiping down/disinfecting tables after a customer leaves. They all still struggle to find staff. There's always long lines at the drive through, as most prefer never to leave their car.

I often go through the drive through then eat in the parking lot.

[chiver78]

Aug 22, 2022 7:39:38 GMT -5 tractor said:

All our local fast food places now have the lobby open. They have at least one employee doing nothing but wiping down/disinfecting tables after a customer leaves. They all still struggle to find staff. There's always long lines at the drive through, as most prefer never to leave their car.

I often go through the drive through then eat in the parking lot.

most of ours are open again, but the McDonald's still isn't. I don't think it's so much the inconvenience issue as that rip just wants to complain about anything that looks like a response to COVID. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. 

[swamp]

All our places are open, except for Dunkin'.  For some reason, they cannot find enough employees. 

I certainly don't want to be yelled at by Karen and have her throw her drink at me because I didn't put enough hazelnut in her coffee. 

[Tennesseer]

Aug 21, 2022 23:25:22 GMT -5 ripvanwinkle said:

Thats interesting. The McDonalds and Wendys dining room by my work is open. Just 4 miles further down the road.

So after you saw the line at Wendy's and then at your first stop at a McDonald's, why didn't you just go to the McDonald's or Wendy's by your workplace just four miles away .

But no. You went to yet another McDonald's whose dining room was closed like the rest.

[TheOtherMe]

DN3 was managing a Dairy Queen.  They have a terrible time finding employees.  It's easier to staff with only the drive thru open and it's way less hassle than having the dining room open.  

I drove from Iowa to Toronto via Illinois, Indiana and Michigan and didn't have a problem finding a bathroom.  On the way home the first trip, I went through New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Ohio.  No problems finding bathrooms.  I prefer drive thrus because people act like entitled idiots.

I was wondering also why you kept stopping when you were 4 miles from places you knew were open.

[Tennesseer]

Aug 22, 2022 11:12:26 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

DN3 was managing a Dairy Queen.  They have a terrible time finding employees.  It's easier to staff with only the drive thru open and it's way less hassle than having the dining room open.  

I drove from Iowa to Toronto via Illinois, Indiana and Michigan and didn't have a problem finding a bathroom.  On the way home the first trip, I went through New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Ohio.  No problems finding bathrooms.  I prefer drive thrus because people act like entitled idiots.

I was wondering also why you kept stopping when you were 4 miles from places you knew were open.

[andi9899]

Aug 21, 2022 19:59:29 GMT -5 ripvanwinkle said:

Today, Sunday, I flew in this afternoon from visiting my grand kids. I was hungry so I thought I'd swing by on my way home from the airport to a Wendy's to get some food. When I arrived there was 10 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. It was locked and a sign said dining room closed. Not wanting to wait I drove to a McDonald's just a few blocks away on the same street. Again I saw about 11 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. Same thing. Lobby closed. I wasn't going to go to the drive thru.

Being undeterred, my quest for lunch continued to another McDonald's just a few block from my house. Again same thing. Dining room closed. I ended up going thru the drive up after waiting behind 15 cars. It took me over 1 hour to finally get some food.

 

I asked the cashier why dining room closed and she said Covid. Covid my eye. I think its just a excuse to reduce the number of employees due to the new higher minimum wage my state started.

Places that don't pay their employees a living wage are struggling right now. Add in the fact that Karens are getting violent now when they don't like something and that's what you end up with. It's an employee's market and those big corporations that don't pay well are now paying the price. People will just go elsewhere. I for one wouldn't work fast food no matter how much you paid me.

[Tiny]

I was wondering also why you kept stopping when you were 4 miles from places you knew were open.

I know this isn't directed to me... but... Probably something like what I whine about sometimes - when I walk over to the Mom and Pop Pizza place (they only have 4 locations and only in my area so they are a Mom and Pop place) to buy a slice for take out - and they don't have any pizzas available (often the person in front of me takes the last slice...) and I have to wait "20 minutes" for the replacement pizzas to be done. I get whiney.

Now, I could just leave and cross the very busy street to get to their competitor (a state wide Pizza chain place) but crossing the busy street (4 lanes of traffic with a 30 mile an hour speed limit) on foot, even with a stop light and cross walk. is annoying (time consuming) and a bit risky (the busy street drivers don't expect someone to cross the street... it's just another light in a string of traffic lights thru the "business district").

So, I usually wait for a fresh pizza and then whine about the "inconvenience". Gosh darn it! I'm entitled to have a slice of pizza (with the toppings I want on it) ready and waiting for me at the Mom and Pop Pizza place.


Driving to the Mom and Pop Pizza place is just as annoying/time consuming - because I live 3 city blocks away. Getting my car out of the garage, driving the 3 blocks (and maybe having to fight traffic on that busy street to get into the parking lot) takes just as long to walk there.

Trying to drive from the mom and pop place to the pizza place on the other side of the street is also tricky - due to one way streets and the way the parking lots control which way the traffic from the restaurants goes (it's directed to the busy street and not onto the residential streets).

And yes Gosh Darn it! The pizza place should have that slice of pizza waiting for me... no matter what!

(I guess I could call a head.. but that sounds like too much work... what if I change my mind once I'm walking and decide to stop at one of the other fast food places on "my side" of the busy street? calling ahead removes my choice and I'm entitled to choice!  It's all about personal freedom!)

(please read the above with some sarcasm and humor.... the pizza at the mom and pop has always turned out to be worth the wait.      

[TheOtherMe]

DN3 said the worst thing that ever happened for fast food places is the app to order ahead.  Food can only be held a certain amount of time.  Customers put a time in the app for when it will be picked up.  Show up 4 hours later.  The food has been tossed and has to be made again.  And they complain and complain.

So many of these are high school kids and they don't deserve the harassment they get.

[Sharon]

Aug 22, 2022 13:19:38 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Aug 21, 2022 19:59:29 GMT -5 ripvanwinkle said:

Today, Sunday, I flew in this afternoon from visiting my grand kids. I was hungry so I thought I'd swing by on my way home from the airport to a Wendy's to get some food. When I arrived there was 10 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. It was locked and a sign said dining room closed. Not wanting to wait I drove to a McDonald's just a few blocks away on the same street. Again I saw about 11 cars in the drive thru so I parked and went to the dining room. Same thing. Lobby closed. I wasn't going to go to the drive thru.

Being undeterred, my quest for lunch continued to another McDonald's just a few block from my house. Again same thing. Dining room closed. I ended up going thru the drive up after waiting behind 15 cars. It took me over 1 hour to finally get some food.

 

I asked the cashier why dining room closed and she said Covid. Covid my eye. I think its just a excuse to reduce the number of employees due to the new higher minimum wage my state started.

Places that don't pay their employees a living wage are struggling right now. Add in the fact that Karens are getting violent now when they don't like something and that's what you end up with. It's an employee's market and those big corporations that don't pay well are now paying the price. People will just go elsewhere. I for one wouldn't work fast food no matter how much you paid me.

I believe that ripvanwinkle lives in the same state that I do.  In the major metropolitan area of the state the minimum wage just went up to $14.50 an hour.  The majority of the rest of the state is at $13.50 an hour and the rural areas of the state are set to $12.50 per hour.  While not necessarily a living wage it is well above the Federal minimum wage.  This has happened before during the minimum wage increases they cut staff.

[andi9899]

Aug 22, 2022 14:32:14 GMT -5 Sharon said:

Aug 22, 2022 13:19:38 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Places that don't pay their employees a living wage are struggling right now. Add in the fact that Karens are getting violent now when they don't like something and that's what you end up with. It's an employee's market and those big corporations that don't pay well are now paying the price. People will just go elsewhere. I for one wouldn't work fast food no matter how much you paid me.

I believe that ripvanwinkle lives in the same state that I do.  In the major metropolitan area of the state the minimum wage just went up to $14.50 an hour.  The majority of the rest of the state is at $13.50 an hour and the rural areas of the state are set to $12.50 per hour.  While not necessarily a living wage it is well above the Federal minimum wage.  This has happened before during the minimum wage increases they cut staff.

It's still not enough to live on. Why would someone do that work when Target is paying something like $20/hour minimum and other employers are paying more. Why work fast food for that amount of money and dealing with entitled people who now are starting literal fist fights and destroying property over a stupid cheeseburger?

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Aug 22, 2022 14:51:56 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Aug 22, 2022 14:32:14 GMT -5 Sharon said:

I believe that ripvanwinkle lives in the same state that I do.  In the major metropolitan area of the state the minimum wage just went up to $14.50 an hour.  The majority of the rest of the state is at $13.50 an hour and the rural areas of the state are set to $12.50 per hour.  While not necessarily a living wage it is well above the Federal minimum wage.  This has happened before during the minimum wage increases they cut staff.

It's still not enough to live on. Why would someone do that work when Target is paying something like $20/hour minimum and other employers are paying more. Why work fast food for that amount of money and dealing with entitled people who now are starting literal fist fights and destroying property over a stupid cheeseburger?

Want to know something really disgusting? Our deputies are making 7.25/hr. Commissioners finally voted to give them some kind of COL raise because we keep losing deputies and jail personnel since they can't afford to raise families on that. Dispatch is paid a crappy wage too.

[andi9899]

Aug 22, 2022 15:03:36 GMT -5 Cheesy FL-Vol said:

Aug 22, 2022 14:51:56 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

It's still not enough to live on. Why would someone do that work when Target is paying something like $20/hour minimum and other employers are paying more. Why work fast food for that amount of money and dealing with entitled people who now are starting literal fist fights and destroying property over a stupid cheeseburger?

Want to know something really disgusting? Our deputies are making 7.25/hr. Commissioners finally voted to give them some kind of COL raise because we keep losing deputies and jail personnel since they can't afford to raise families on that. Dispatch is paid a crappy wage too.

It really is disgusting. Around here the rookie patrol officer makes around $40K per year. That's practically nothing if you have kids. Why risk getting shot for that kind of money?! You can make double that easy working a desk job. When you pay like that you don't get the best candidates and then you end up with people who will take the crappy pay in order to be legally allowed to bully people and we have a God complex.

[Artemis Windsong]

We have a new 5 Guys at our local mall parking lot.  The last time we were in, there were 5 employees behind the counter and a few out front.  Some of them were eating.  I don't know what they do differently.

The Chik fil A next door advertised free college tuition.

Traveling I would rather eat in the larger truck stop fast food place with gas and toilet than go through a drive through.  Especially in smaller towns.

If we are traveling and coming home in say 2 months, I will make a roast thin slice then freeze half and any left overs.  Then I pull the roast out and let it thaw while we unload.  If that doesn't work out, I usually have a can of chili and frozen fries.  A lot of the frozen entrees are tasty and fast in the microwave.