Fast-Food Feast

Chapter 1, Questions 1-9:

Fast-Food Feast:

1. How are in-store orders taken:

a. For this assignment, I went to McDonalds and 5-Guys to experience the ordering and service for my hamburgers.

b. Both establishments took my order at a register based on my selection from their posted menu.

2. Are the hamburgers prepared to order, or are they prepared ahead of time and delivered from a storage bin?

a. McDonalds has premade hamburgers ready to go for the average customer.

b. 5-Guys is all custom ordered, so there are no premade hamburgers.

3. How are special orders handled?

a. McDonalds will prepare a hamburger with special instructions (i.e. no onions), but because they are premade, it has been my experience that they will, in a rush, grab a premade hamburger and forget about the special order.

b. 5-Guys is a custom order from the beginning, so it is rare that you will get something outside of what you ordered.

4. How are hamburgers cooked?

a. McDonalds always cooks their hamburgers in accordance with the time and heat that is directed in the training manuals.

b. 5-Guys will cook your burger however you ask them to.

5. How are hamburgers assembled?

a. McDonalds is a basic assembly line preparation with measurements and order to the way it is prepared.

b. 5-Guys will make your hamburger the way you want it.

6. Is a microwave used?

a. McDonalds - yes

b. 5-Guys - no

7. How are other common items, such as French fries and drinks handled?

a. McDonalds has premade French fries ready to go and they are rarely filled all the way. The drinks are self-serve, so you get what you want.

b. 5-Guys gives you a bunch of extra French fries every time and they never have them sitting there waiting for people. The drinks are self-serve, so you get what you want.

8. Which process is the most efficient and why?

a. McDonalds is probably more efficient and a lot faster, but the quality of the product was pale in comparison to 5-Guys. I believe that the proven assembly and pre preparation methods have worked for McDonalds and have made them a giant in fast-food because their food is very fast.

b. BUT, I would rather wait for the quality at 5-Guys than settle for the speed