Hey fellow monkeys. Recently found myself in a fortunate position to choose between two FT offers. First offer is a FO cashier role at a tier three burger chain (Carl’s Junior/White Castle/Burger King) and the second offer is a BO line cook role at a tier one burger chain (In-N-Out/Shake Shack/Whataburger).
While I would enjoy the client-facing and networking aspects of the first offer, I feel like the second offer would be a better name on the resume. Also, the second offer has excellent internal mobility that should give me the opportunity to switch to a client-facing cashier role after a year. For this last reason, I’m leaning towards the second offer.
However, my only concern would be exit opportunities. Ultimately, I’d like to end up as a server at a top tier chain restaurant (think Cheesecake Factory/Texas Roadhouse/P.F. Chang’s). Clearly, a client-facing role would best leverage me for such exit opps, but the second offer wouldn’t put me in such a position until my second year. I’m worried that waiting to recruit until my second year may limit my exits. What would you do?
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Congrats on White Castle
I don't like being the bearer of bad news, but you're dead on arrival.
I started as jr. manager at Chick-Fil-A (my dad and the franchisee owner go to the same bowling alley). From there, it was like a dream; highly visible role, top-bucket sandwich modeling for my class, and headhunters from Chili's/Outback/TGIF calling me daily. I ended up staying in lower market QSR as there was a clear path to Managing Manager (top of the hierarchy for those not in the biz). I built my client base ranging from small/medium-sized people to the morbidly obese (which I excelled in serving).
Clearly, my book of business had turned a corner so I thought I'd get my own franchise. Given the health craze and my desire to maintain my good brand, I opened 10 Subway shops within a 0.25 mile radius in Northern Montana. Insane carry and now I can retire or just let the automated cash cow do its thing.
Any path you choose, just make sure it's FO. Then--maybe one day and with some luck--you could be me.
managing manager lol
also what are the target schools? I've heard U of Alabama is good
QSR Feeder Schools (Targets)
- University of Phoenix; strong relationships with Jack in the Box. 50%+ of the Phoenix summer analyst population end up with Jack. 40-45% are spread across Jamba Juice, Sizzler, Denny's, and Waffle House. The remaining--bottom tier--go to Arby's. Fun Fact: I wrote for the school newspaper (the platinum firebird) and that helped me 'break the ice' during interviews
- University of Scranton; top tier for PA/NJ franchisee placement. I also know of graduates accepting offers at EBs like Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks in Philly. These EBs typically have a small number of seats and breaking in without a Master's is a real achievement
- ICE Culinary Institute; a must for those looking to be in FO product groups (e.g., Fixed Sandwich, Fries Exchange 'FX', Toppings and other Commodities)
I don't know much about U of Alabama, but hear they have a lot of famous alums at Bojangles so you can network your way into a southern legend.
Carls Jr isn't a fucking BB bro this is so stupid, move Wendys onto the list and move White Castle way down. Fucking undergrads are idiots, I swear.
Hate to be a downer here but the industry is dying bro, automation is going to take those roles. If you're dead-set on something similar to fast food cashier, have you looked into Deutsche Bank at all?