I am a 19 year old Taco Bell Manager. AMA!

If a fight breaks out in your restaurant and somebody is vertically video taping it, does company policy allow you to yell "WORLDSTAR!"?

hahahaha as much as i wish no. We are not allowed to video tape or take pictures :(

What do you find most challenging about being manager at 19?

Definitely getting people to listen to me. Not many people take me seriously, because almost everyone is older than me. Its a big struggle i have.

Also, dealing with complaints can get rough sometimes too. When a customer comes in and sees that i am so young they like to try and take advantage of me.

Good question!

What happened to the volcano menu?

We discontinued that about... i want to say.. 2 years ago? i don't remember for certain. the closest thing we have to a volcano taco is the firey gordita crunch. unfortunately, we do not have anything like the nachos or burrito anymore.

I miss having lava sauce on my dorito shell cheesy gordita crunches and crunchwraps, any other tasy ideas to get a similar spicy cheesy nirvana?

We unfortunately dont have a super spicy sauce like that anymore. The chiptole is sorta hot but not like lava sauce.

We also have diablo saice in packets. Its supposed to be 2x as hot as fire or something :p

Do you have a butthole?

yes. ty for comment doot doot

Why did ya'll discontinue the steak and chicken taquitoes some odd years ago? They were the best thing on the menu.

I am not familiar with these. must have been before i started :p

When you become ceo, do you promise to reinstate the taquitoes?

i will try my best. :D

How much do you make?

Not enough. Haha around $10 and hour. But it's not really about the money

So manager in title only? How can they give you the title and responsibility but pay you nearly what the poverty line is? Last I heard 9$ an hour is poverty, 10$/hr for manager is a joke. Get some good experience and get out.

well i am only a part time manager, so i guess i don't get paid big bucks. I am working on moving on though.

I hate to be a dick, but it really should be about the money. People who wash dishes at most real (dont take that as an insult, i just mean not fast food) restaurants start at that much. I bet you love your coworkers and care about what you do there, but it's not a charity. Please remember this. Ive been working in restaurants for like 9 years now and just remember that they'll pay you the least possible and try to get the most out of you. Maybe try and get a job cooking at a mexican place in town, you'll get some solid kitchen experience which would pay more (eventually. Kitchens arent known for getting rich in) and learn skills you can use anywhere you'd want to move.

Yeah i understand and i appreciate the advice. I just finished polishing up my resume and looking at jobs at verizon and other IT professions.

I posted that before i read the whole AMA. see that youre going to school for engineering, which is great. We need more people out there who have worked food service out there, i know you'll be considerate compared to all the assholes you deal with daily.

Yeah working here has taught me to be more patient with people.

do you ever say time to lean? time to clean! and does your taco bell also have KFC? and why is KFC so good?

i dont think i have ever said that hahaah. and no. i wish though. KFC is like heaven. there is one next door though...

Has working at taco bell impacted your weight? If so, did you lose or gain weight?

yes. i have gained a few pounds. lol

What's your least favorite thing to make? What is one thing that pisses you off the most about customers? Do you still eat taco bell? I love the number six. Is there anything I should know about any of the food I ever order? Like things I should avoid?!

My least favorite thing to make is definitely the "limited time" stuff. right now we have the grilled stuffed nacho and we have to fold it in a triangle. Its super annoying to have to do for an order of like 5 of them. Some other items are the xxl nachos, nacho bell grandes, and probably party packs.

I cannot stand when people think everything is our fault. When someone is ordering they see what they want on a little screen outdoors. We also ask them if everything looks correct on the screen before they pull up too. But everyone assumes that if something goes wrong its our fault. We replace it anyway!

Nothing we make is honestly that bad. I have heard horror stories about Mcdonalds and pink chicken nuggets. But our food is honestly not gross. We don't have a microwave, so nothing gets nuked, we fry all of our products fresh every day, and we have very strict hold time procedures.

But everyone assumes that if something goes wrong its our fault. We replace it anyway!

I know the feel, man. At Domino's we get dudes screwing up online orders THEY PUT IN THEMSELVES and call and complain. Or they want a refund because they never came and picked up an order they put in online and already paid for.

And that was just last week!

Yeah they just like to bitch just to hear themselves bitch :(

Has anyone ever went crazy over messed up orders? I want to work in fast food, but the thought of someone losing their shit over something that dumb terrifies me.

yes. all the time. just yesterday we had a lady come through the drive through who asked if our pop machine was working, and that every time she comes our diet pepsi tastes funny. Then she complains the whole time (after we already gave her the drink for free) and drives off mad.

She came back and threw her food on the counter because 2 things she ordered were not in the bag. they were also not rung in, so its not like we didnt give her the food. she demanded the whole order be replaced. this kind of stuff (albeit not quite as bad most of the time) happens every single day.

How do you handle these situations? Tell them to leave and just take the complaint she'll eventuality file or just give them whatever they want? (Or something else?)

I try my best to make them happy. explain to them what happened and that were sorry and that we will take care of it. most of the time I'll give them a free combo card or something for their next visit. If nothing else works i either give them my general managers name or do whatever i can.

Follow up question when someone is complaining about something that is completely their fault such as you heard them say beef then they come in yelling about how they wanted chicken. Same procedure? Just eat the cost via remaking order or free coupons or do you stick to your guns because you know it's their fault?

Yep. and this infuriates me. I cant tell you how many times i've remade orders for people that i know are blatantly lying, and we still have to remake the food for them. We have some discretion, so someone can't come in and say we messed up their 50 dollar order and get it replaced for free.. but remaking food for someone who's lying gets super annoying.

Previously was a taco bell manager. This, all day. There's nothing worse than someone deliberately telling you the wrong thing and then having you remake it or replace it. Often these people who know how to screw over fast food workers and care to do are not terribly nice or respectful about it.

Exactly. I wish we could do something about it. But all corprate cares about is how happy the customers are. Even if they are lying

Have any fun stories about what goes down at Taco Bell?

Back when i was a little crew member, i used to put bun water (really hot water) in our sauce bottles and me and my friend would have water fights with them.

Also, about a couple months when i first started, me and the guy who was training me made a basketball hoop from a box and taped it to the wall in the back. But corporate came... I dont think i have ever tried to hide something as fast as i did that day.

These are just two that comes to mind. ill see if i can remember more :p

Do you hope to make a career in the industry?

Nope. im looking for other options right now.

The age old question, Taco or Burrito?

i still perfer taco. :P

Do you spit in my food?

i have NEVER spit in anyone's food. i have never seen anyone do it either. i have punched the heating cabinets before though.

Damn. What did the heating cabinets do to you?

i got really mad, and it was right there lol. it probably hurt me more than i hurt it.

Why'd you get so mad?

Well when you're right in the middle of dinner rush and every car is ordering $20+ orders and were expected to make the food in a little over a minute it can get overwhelming. Its a lot to take in sometimes lol

Hmmm... Seems like it would be easier to just spit in people's food.

yes it would definitely be easier. but its just wrong. i just couldn't do it. :p

Why can't I ever eat a taco without everything spilling out of it?

as soon as i uncover the secret ill let you know. I've been there for 4 years and i still eat my tacos over the trash can.

Why in the hell did you take away the Fire Roasted sauce?

You left us with Verde. Fucking Verde? Are you kidding me???

Honestly i have no clue. A LOT of people liked the fire roasted sauce. Its a bone head thing they did...

I'm holding you personally responsible.

Awww come on haha i dont make the rules :(

Every day? Holy shit, no thank you.

yeah, its not something everyone can do. it has, however, taught me how to handle difficult situations and problem solve effectively, which is cool :p

will the beefy crunch burrito ever return?

Id say probably not. i dont see us getting the mexican rice back. we may get the hot cheetos back sometime though, and we can put those in our $1 crunch burrito.

I used to be a manager there. I have a question. There is a weird phenomenon with that Dr pepper freeze. If u get one right after defrost it would shock your lips. It also would not lose its charge so it would shock you over and over. Anything like that happen to u?

That never has happened to me. sounds kind of interesting though!

How many taco's could you make in 30 minutes?

A lot. trust me.

But like, quantity. Also, when will you get churro's on the menu my friend and I went to two different taco bells.

i have never counted my TPM (tacos per minute) but if you want me to estimate something..

336 tacos? making nothing but party packs (12 tacos) for 30 minutes straight if each party pack takes 2 minutes to make. (does my math check out its late)

Cheesy gordita crunch with a volcano taco instead of a regular one; why can I not find it on the menu?

We discontinued the volcano menu a while ago. you can get the cheesy gordita crunch with a firey doritos shell though. :p

What is the best thing a vegetarian can get at Taco Bell?

Definitely either a 7 layer burrito or a cantina bowl/burrito. The 7 layer is a pretty big burrito for its price. and the cantina items are awesome too!

Are you a student and doing this as a part time job?

I am a full time student. i work about 20 hours a week.

How are you finding it? In my undergraduate I was working around 35 hours a week and found it pretty challenging myself.

its difficult. Especially since i'm studying electronics engineering... but im managing. (heh get it)

What is the largest order in terms of price and quantity of items you have witnessed someone make?

Just the other day we had someone order 4 number 4's (mexican pizza and 2 tacos) and 4 party packs. iirc it was like 60 bucks.

But the biggest order i have ever made was a while ago. i dont remember exactly what was in it, but the whole screen was filled for one order. it was like $120. I think it was for a soccer team :p

Any interesting/weird stories from the job?

Hmm.. I'll get back to you on this one. i have to go waaaay back but im sure i can remember something interesting :p

Is there anything you would not recommend off the menu?

It depends on what you mean. food quality wise? nothing we have is necessarily gross. If you ever want chalupas ask for them fresh. :p

Any recommendations of the menu? Something you like the most?

I've grown to like a burrito with nothing but steak, cheddar cheese and potatoes. But im EXTREMELY picky. i dont like lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, onions, etc. So taking reccomendations from me might not be the best idea :p

I grill my beefy five layers all the time after years ago a buddy told my I can get anything grilled for free. What would be the most annoying item that can be grilled?

yep anything can be grilled for free. and i hate anything that is already grilled so grilling anything is annoying. it takes too long when all you have is 1 minute to get things out :(

Ive had people ask for soft tacos to be grilled before. its weird.

(another life hack: onions and red sauce is free. and when you want sauce dont say "a handfull" say exactly how much.)

These words shall change my taco bell experience forever.

glad i could make your taco bell experience better :p

Have you had any experiences with the breakfast menu?

no i dont work in the mornings. its pretty good though!

Really? I've heard it's awful!

I dont usually get it so i really dont know how it is. The am crunchwraps are pretty good though

Are you in school?

i am. studying electronics engineering.

Do you think you might open up your own Taco Bell as a franchisee?

More than likely not. :p

Good luck.

Thank you :)

Are you sick of tacos yet?

it depends. I get the luxury of creating stuff the public doesn't get, so i'm not eating boring or tacos every day. When im on break i try to get something other than taco bell to eat though. :p

Could you eat taco bell for every meal that you worked there for?

And what is the best quality product on the menu (meat wise)?

Probably not. I'm trying to cut back lol. And i dont even really eat meals anymore. ill grab a taco here and there between rushes. really bad for me :(

What 5 things (physically) would you do if you were the opposite gender for a day?

i think you know the answer to this already. doot doot

If I ask for a burrito inside of a burrito which is then inside of thus another burrito, would you make it for me?

I would do it. I dont know how but id try. 8)

How do u feel managing people older than yourself?

I really dont know. i cant tell if its a good or bad thing... on one hand it feels good because im a boss. on the other it feels kind of sad... lol

What are your top three most popular items?

chicken quesadillas, chalupas, and probably bean burritos.

For comparison, what's the general age distribution of your coworkers? Does it seem unusual given you're the manager?

Do you encounter any rudeness from coworkers or customers concerning your age?

What do you think secured the management position for you?

Thanks for doing this, btw ^_^

Right now i am running a shift with 2 17 year olds and an 18 year old.

Usually everyone is in their early to middle 30s. And i am the youngest manager by far. The next closest is 26 i think. So not a lot of people take me serious a lot. Its somethinf im working on haha.

What secured my position is my history. I am the only one still here from when i started so im reliable. Im also a pretty hard worker and my boss likes me. So when one of my old managers left i told my GM id take the job if she needed it. Im just an all around good employee i guess. And thats hard to come by in the food industry :p

Sangrita Blast is my favorite soda now. I stocked up because of the limited time thing! I seriously gonthere just for that sometimes. Any clue as to if Mt. Dew is planning anymore TB exclusives?

I have no clue. Stay tuned for captain crunch cinnabon delights though ;)

Why did corporate take away baja sauce? I haven't ordered a cheesy gordita crunch since. I'm still mad. (But won't stop me from eating TB 2-3 times a week and being judged here!)

No idea. And its made a lot of people mad. Fight for your baja sauce!!!

What is Taco Bell's policy on food poisoning?

What do you mean? If i have it i shouldnt be even coming in.

Sorry I should of been more specific. The policy when a costumer gets food poisoning from eating the food prepared and can prove that it was from taco bell

Havent had this happen yet. I assume they call the store. Then we have to call some kind of hotline number and report it i think.

What is the worst customer you've ever had the displeasure of serving? What did they do?

My dad is a Manager at Nandos and has been working for them for about 27 years. He's a great manager and if it's a tough shift (super busy) for the employees he buys them all Starbucks. Do you ever treat your employees to something like Starbucks?

Cheeky nandos heh.

I had one giy come in once and started to try and fight us. My general manager had to take him outside and call the cops lol.

And no most of the time i have to really hound my employees to get stuff done. We do all kinds of stuff though for people though. Grateful rallies, little parties, etc. But maybe if someone wows me ill do something like that. Thanks for the suggestion :p

I've been getting eyed at to be a McDonald's manager. I know they're different restaurants, but any tips on manager stuff in general if I do get it?

Hmmm. Definititly make sure your employees know that you are their manager. Dont be a pushover until you have their respect. Thats the biggest advice i have haha. Im still pretty new :p

Hey, it's more than I had a minute ago! Thanks! But again, it's no guarantee I actually will get it, but I'd rather have something to go on.

Well good luck man!

Thanks. And female, but whatever.

Oh im sorry!

Regarding when you talked about ordering and asking if everything was alright on the screen. I can't tell you how many times they have put sour cream in my burritos after I ask them not to and the screen was correct. :( Anyway do you hate when customers enter the drive through 5 minutes before closing?

Some stores just arent as good as others unfortunatley :( and i dont usually close :/

Now I used to do service calls for a TB franchise in the Midwest. Is your TB franchised or is it directly under TB corp? Just curious

We are corprate. Where did you service in the midwest?

I serviced Border Foods in and out of the Twin Cities area with coverage extending to WY, SD and WI.

Oh man im in nebraska haha :p

I clicked on this thread expecting some laughs, twenty minutes later I'm still here and genuinely interested. Congrats on being a teenager with a solid work ethic, it will pay off.

Now a question. I'm vegan and travel a lot for work. Taco Bell is my go to place because I know I can find something to eat in an unfamiliar area. I can only eat so many Fresco bean burritos, how about a suggestion of some things to spice up my travels?

Try the 7 layer burrito! Great for vegitarians. Also the veggie cabtina bowl/burrito.