For the purposes of this post, let’s leave aside any discussion of whether or not the politics and financial contributions of Chick-Fil-A‘s owners makes it wrong to eat their deliciously addictive chicken on occasion, ok?
I know it’s a whole topic of conversation, but for this post, we’re just talking about the undeniable fact that you will not find a single employee at Chick-Fil-A who’s anything less than perky, helpful, and incredibly polite – and you’ll never find one that says “you’re welcome” instead of “my pleasure,” either.
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It turns out that Chick-Fil-A takes it’s employee training as seriously as it takes making the perfect chicken sandwich, making sure that each one knows exactly what’s expected of them when it comes to interacting wit customers.
Responding to a “thank you” with “my pleasure” is high on their list of priorities.
The tradition has been in place almost since the restaurant opened, all due to an experience that founder Truett Cathy had at a Ritz Carlton hotel. There’s not much to the tale, really, just that a server responded to him that way and he thought it sounded much nicer and more elegant than “you’re welcome,” and so he brought it over to Chick-Fil-A when he arrived home.
Image Credit: iStock
On Reddit, a currently employee explained that it’s still something that’s important to the company as a whole.
“You’re welcome seems too indifferent, and we’re told to use elevated language.”
I mean, who doesn’t like to feel a little bit fancy when they go sit in a drive through to buy waffle fries they’re definitely not going to scarf in the car on the way home?
Image Credit: iStock
I know I do!
Did you know this origin story? Had you noticed? Tell us whether or not language like this tickles you, too, down in the comments!
