[Table] IamAn In-N-Out Burger Associate AMA! tabled

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Date: 2015-11-20

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Questions	Answers
Did you have any prior fast food experience to working at In N Out? If so, how does that compare to working there now?	No, I don't have any prior fast food experience, but I can compare it to experiences I've heard from other fast food employees. For one we work a lot harder than other fast food employees. I could go on for days about how diligent our job is. I'll just talk about QFC. Every work period a Divisonal manager comes and checks on our quality, friendliness, cleanliness. Down to how clean our walk in refrigerator is, making sure every associate is smiling, and that our burgers are served fresh with the In n Out quality just to state some basics. It's scored with the highest score being 100, my stores lowest score was 94, and our managers basically told us that we did horrible with that score. We're held up to a very high standard.
What exactly is a level 4? How does the level system work? Also how bad does the secret menu mess up your line when you guys are working, I've noticed a animal style order takes so much longer.	A level 4 is someone who is training on board aka dressing the burgers, and packaging them. The level system starts with level 1, and ends with 7 then goes up to managers who have their own separate level system. Every level has certifations they must receive to move up to the next level and get your raise. Nothing really per day messes up the line. Certain things take longer, and are pain in the asses for the associates, but nothing that's really ridiculous. Every level has something on the secret menu they hate. Fry people hate fry wells, and animal frys. Board people hate burgers cut in half or all separate bags. The cooks hate whole grilled onions. The lower levels hate root beer floats.
Have you read Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell? I think you would really enjoy the chapter "An orison of Sonmi".	So, I just read a summary of the chapter not sure if this is genuine or a subtle suggestion to get a life. Either way, sounds interesting I'll check it out thanks for the suggestion!
Does it make a ding noise when you get enough XP to go up a level?	HAHAHAHA. I wish! If the managers like you though they'll yell it through the stand, which causes a lot of drama, but oh well.
My stepson was looking to apply at our local In-N-Out. Any pointers? Thanks in advance!	Apply online, then about two days later go in to follow up on the application. They'll typically only schedule you an interview when you and if you go in to follow up. The interview process is simple. The questions are your basic interview questions. They look for friendly people with a great smile. My group interviews was with two other girls who had way more job experience then me, and could work more hours. They picked me, because I was the friendliest. So just tell him to make sure he's smiling and positive can't stress that enough.
Can I order roadkill style fries? If so what are they?	I heard that from customers that the original In N Out does roadkill style fries, but I don't believe it. Due to qualify we're not allowed to make them. I guess their animal fries with a meat patty and sliced chillies on top. Even if we can't make it for you it's definitely something you can order. Just order an animal fry with sliced chillies on top, and a meat patty on the side then just put your meat patty on your fries!
(1) Are the burgers fresh or frozen?	1) Fresh never frozen! We don't even have freezers in the stores.
(2) What kind of seasoning do they put on the burgers?	2) Just a blend of salt, and I'm pretty sure pepper.
(3) How long do they cook the burger on each side?	3) I honestly have no idea. I haven't worked grill yet, and I don't really pay much attention to the grill. If I had to guess I'd say 45 seconds each side, but seriously don't quote me on that.
(4) I never has the food at INO...what the hell makes it so special?	4) The environment to me is what makes us so special. No other place is going to really have the customers best interest in heart like us. Plus all our food is fresh so that's a plus.
Why are in n out employees the most friendliest fast food employees? Is it the pay, the food, or the environment?	I can't speak for my coworkers but I can speak for myself and say I love our customers. It's defiantly the environment. Our customers are so sweet, and we really get the chance to make a connection with customers and do whatever we can to make them happy. For me seeing people happy just because I through some extra fries in their bag to compensate for their long wait just makes me feel good. I don't know I'm a sentimental chick.
Awesome, thanks for answering! In n out will always hold a special place in my heart, Quick follow up question: what's the strangest thing you've heard when someone's tried to order from the secret menu or regular menu? One time, I've heard someone call the animal fries "chili cheese fries"	Everyone thinks we have chili cheese fries. I guess the spread looks like that to some? The weirdest is easily this man who approached the counter, and said "OINK!" I asked him why he oinked at me, and he responded with "I read on the internet if you oink at an order taker you can get bacon on your burger!" I laughed, and gave him a free shake since he made me laugh so hard.
I laughed, and gave him a free shake since he made me laugh so hard. You can do that? (:D)	We're told that we have the power to do whatever to make the customer happy. I go above and beyond. I'm always doing extra shit for customers especially if it's slow and I'm bored. I used to do trivia games in the dinning room for free shakes / animal fries, but my manager made me quit. I just fuck with our customers their pretty awesome.
Is the burger really coated with yellow mustard on one side before cooking and do they really use 60/40 beef?	Yes! If you resquest your burger Mustard Fried we do coat it with mustard. Also it you ask for it animal style we mustard fry your patties. Be sure to tell us if you don't like pickles on your burgers if you order it mustard fried though, because it comes with pickles! Also yes, we use 60/40 beef. Fun fact I had to text my store and ask them that question hahaha.
As In and Out has its Christian roots (something that non-Californians find surprising despite there actually being a lot of Christian conservatives in California vs its secular liberal stereotype), is there a lot of talk about Christianity on the job (especially compared to chik fila)? Oh and what do non Californian residents (both domestic and international) say to you about In and Out and its food?	Nah. It's actually against policy to discuss things like religion on the clock. The family that founded INO were religious, but it's definitely subtle. Most people tell me they enjoy the food. I try to give customers the best experience especially if I know it's they are out of state. So I people usually compliment me more on my service then tell me about their food honestly. A lot of people don't like our fries though, which can be pretty hit or miss. So eh.
As someone who has never eaten at an In-N-Out Burger, I have to ask: does it really live up to the hype that it's garnered (on the internet)?	I personally love INO granted I grew up with it all my life. I think it's fresh, and that's the bottom line to it. Regardless if you don't like the taste of our food I feel like the environment, customer service, and quality make up for it. I've never met anyone who finds INO nasty at worst I've heard mediocre. End of the day it's burgers & fries.
Did you always plan to settle for a crap job or did you just recently give up on life?	It's not really a crap job. My head manager makes 100,000 a year. We get great benefits. In n Out is a great company to work for, and it looks great on a resume so even if I do decide to move on. My future employers can pretty much guarantee my work ethic. But you know, facts you probably didn't know.
Yeah, and as a level 4 you are making like $12 an hour, give or take. And with the cost of living ln cali that means you are living either at home with mom or with 33 other burger flippers.	Well I'm eighteen, and still in high school that's a lot more than anyone my age is making. I've worked at the company for a year and am 3 levels away from being a manager. That means by next year this time I could be nineteen making 50K a year, with full benefits and a 401K. Say what you want, but it's nowhere near a crap job. My manager runs a burger restaurant and makes as much as a doctor.
What shit show doctors are you going to? Good luck with that kid. Settling before your life even starts.	Both my head manager and my Divisonal manager showed their YTD pay stubs when I told them I was thinking about moving into management. Trust me they make as much as doctors. So I mean thanks, come by and grab a burger it's on me!
That's because they scoop the fresh fries just pulled over the old ones they're too cheap to discard. Like you won't notice it.	I don't know what INO you're going to, but we're not supposed to do that. That's just a lazy fry person. We're supposed to portion out a basket and you can't pull your next one until you've portioned out your last one. They're also supposed to discard of the chips on the bottom some people just don't do their job right which sucks.
It's mostly BK and jack in the box that do that, actually	Oh okay. Are fries can be pretty gross to be fair. We try, or well I try can't speak for everyone to give nice fries. But shit happens when it gets busy you kinda just put shit in bags & try not to dip your head in the fryer.
I've read through this thread and really admire your passion and vision! I worked in the food industry for five years before landing an engineering job and I still miss aspects of it. My question is, how did you land upon In-N-Out? Was it a random job that you came to love or did you have your sights set on it? Were you a fan of the food before you worked there?	Sweet thanks, that's a breath of fresh air since everyone has basically been bashing me. The story is actually funny. My parents were forcing me to get a job last year for my college apps. I'm pretty much a great student, and have been in lots of clubs so I didn't see the point. I applied to INO just so they'd get off my back and ended up getting the job. Never planned I'd fall in love with it.

Last updated: 2015-11-20 20:31 UTC | Next update: 2015-11-20 20:41 UTC

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Submitted November 21, 2015 at 02:01AM by tabledresser http://ift.tt/1QTHl46 tabled