Bucket Full of Trouble
Did you catch this story about Milkshakegate, or whatever, at an Orlando McDonald's restaurant? There's a slideshow here if you want all the visuals.
The story goes that a customer saw McDonald's employees pouring liquid into a milkshake machine from a bucket labeled "Soiled Towels Only." She reportedly snapped a picture with her mobile phone and sent it along with a complaint to McDonald's Corporation. There are varied stories about who sent what reply and when—I won't try to figure them out here—but one point is clear....
Everyone today has a phone and a camera on them. Heck, some of us also walk around with iPods fitted with iTalk adapters so we can record anything, anytime. Any employee who messes up is bound to be caught in the act.
Is this the way consumers can help keep companies straight when it comes to service? What do you think? Have you ever witnessed something gross in a restaurant and reported it?
It's challenging, yet so important, for restaurant companies to make sure managers teach employees how to be safe and hygienic on the job and then control hygiene practices at all times. Try this yourself for eight-plus hours straight: do not touch your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hair, or any area of your skin. Or any money. If you do, drop what you're doing and immediately go wash your hands. That's what it's like when you're serving food and waiting tables. Sure, it's hard to remember, but it's critical to safe service.
I'm here to tell you hygiene and safe practices are a priority with all all restaurant chains—at least all whose corporate policies I've been familiar with, and that's a lot. Hand-washing is strongly encouraged. Cleaning and sanitation systems are routinized and documented—they're even color-coded in case literacy is a problem. The work comes in making sure every employee down the line takes those regulations to heart.
IF that news report has all its facts straight, I wouldn't take my family to that restaurant. Makes me wonder where else the crew might be slacking off.
Update: After I'd written, but not yet posted, this piece, I ran an errand to Target and Baby A convinced me to get her an early dinner at "The Piggy Store." (Also known as Q Shack...she really likes chicken BBQ these days.) There, while we waited for her order, I took her to the restroom and I'm pretty sure I saw a prep worker leave the bathroom without washing her hands. (Could be wrong, but I didn't hear any water.) UGH! But did I catch her in the act, me, Miss iPhone-haver? No. I was helping Baby A perch on the potty....
