People were awesome while management was NOT. The usual case with corporations.
The place is a lot more relaxed compared to other fast food brands, mainly because of their sole focus on making smoothies as well as the pandemic causing the store to open only drive thru. Because business has been slow overall, me and my coworkers can spend more time on quality in general - ranging from cleaning the store to making smoothies. The latter is expected to be done in 3 and a half minutes because that is the average drive thru time, which is plenty enough for us workers to not feel overwhelmed from pressure from expectations. As a result, the workplace culture is a lot nicer and friendlier to newcomers. Me and most, if not all, of my coworkers hit it off really easily because we felt like we were given opportunities to get along well as a team, which really helped motivate us to work even harder to operating the store because I think we all have silently come to a realization that this type of culture is VERY hard to come by, especially in the food and retail industry.
However, that routine didn't last too long around the time I left. The managers eventually felt dissatisfied from the seemingly "lack of desired results" in terms of performance and so decided to change their goal to improving the drive thru times while maintaining quality at the same time.
But need I say that prior to working at SK, I used to work at Raising Cane's for years and let me tell you: the moment a company starts pushing people to work on their speed of service while maintaining high q
ProsFree smoothie, quality cleanliness, reliable workers, fun culture
ConsTerrible management, lack of accountability, discrimination, inconsistency in communcation
Super Easy Job for Teens but No Hours During Winter
I'd like to start off by saying that I worked in a drive-thru only store, and I started at the beginning of fall. I'd also like to say that I departed from the company during winter. This affects my experience from other's. I really enjoyed my time at the store. I thought it was a pretty easy job. Plus, you get 35% off and a free small smoothie each shift. (At Smoothie King the drinks are a size up from what you think they would be. So a small is like a medium and a medium is like a large etc.etc.) The main duties of Smoothie King was running one of the lanes, making smoothies, prepping ingredients and powders, and washing off blenders. Now on to the problems I encountered. Like I said in the title it's a pretty good job for teenagers which I am. That being said the store's employees consisted mostly of teenagers. I don't think I have ever worked in a place that was more cliquey than this job was. Basically if you were new and didn't have the best social skills than you would feel like an outcast. I was pretty shy at first and no one really cared about me or talked to me besides a few people who were really nice and extroverted. In particular it was one guy there who made me come out of my shell there. But even after that I didn't feel a part of everyone there. Some people still gave me a lot of attitude just for being new. Not only that but you couldn't talk about anything without it being spread to everyone in the store. There was actually a rumor that I was fired when I ac
ProsSimple job, Good pay for teens, free smoothie each shift, 35% off, slow during fall and winter, very simple P.O.S system that is easy to understand, very sweet owner
ConsLots of catty teens, little hours during winter, busy during summer, their new shirts are gross material
Fun workplace with an unreasonable (sometimes) owner.
A typical day is opening the store at 8 o'clock. Putting out scoops and ladles, making sure powders and fruits are filled, adding ice to the icebox. Then counting cups and the safe the make sure they match the previous night. Turn on the open sign, and serve customers.
At midday, do the shift change chores, like mopping, cleaning the bathroom, sanitizing blender bowls, and taking inventory of retail. Two hours before close, we do pre-close, which involves washing most of the scoops and ladles, doing the dishes, giving the fruit bar new containers, sweeping, mopping, cleaning the bathroom, and bringing in signs and umbrellas.
When we close, we take out the trash, wash and sanitize the blender bowls, put lids on all the fruits and powders, do the rest of the dishes, and count the drawer and cups. We lock the doors, arm the security system, and go home.
I learned how to effectively manage employees, as well as customers and even inventory. I also learned how scheduling works.
The management is a bit two-sided. The general managers are kinder, and more understanding if you mess up or are late, but the owners will fire you if you don't show, don't call, don't have a doctor's note, or challenge any weird decisions they make.
My co-workers were mostly young adults or teenagers. They're usually pretty nice, but because of the incredibly strict policies of the owners, they usually end up quitting or getting fired.
The hardest parts about this job were the hours, the events, an
ProsFood swaps, work not too difficult
ConsUnreasonable hours, short breaks, multiple events, little understanding for personal life, stupid events (BDSM LGBT masquerade party? REALLY?!)
I feel very strongly that the location that i am at has headed south in so many aspects of the word. I recently returned to my city from a 9 month stint at a residential facility and needed a job to fit the hours because I was no longer going to be going to school. I applied and was offered the job on the spot. The first impression was that I would get $8. This turned out to be a lie. During a few weeks time, several of my coworkers turnef in their 2 weeks notice or had quit. At first, I was confused, but after staying there and becoming the one constantly being called in and working upwards of 37 hours,(my employer doesn’t do overtime) I have been the 3rd most employees person. After only the general manager and someone who has been there since the store opened. During this time, suicidal thoughts became to come back as I felt that I couldn’t use my own brain in the work place even though I already was limited in the household, keep in mind that with this many hours, pressure and intensity, I am only 17. I felt very abandoned at times and wished that my workspace would respect some of my request for new changes for me. As I got the promotion to Team Lead, I was told that I would get a raise to $10. Once again, this was a lie. While I was “under training”, I received $8.50 an hour. A substantial improvement from my previous salary. After completing all of my training, I was informed that I would make $9 for a month at least before I could get to $10, the salary I was promised
very productive... though not a lot of chances to sit down
If you're into working in a fast-paced environment, this job will definitely be for you. Unless it's a rainy day, the amount of customers showing up is pretty non-stop. It seems to me that most of the employees at my location are getting paid 10-12 an hour. I believe, for the kind of work this is, the owner should pay a bit more than this. Especially considering that every other food place in the area are paying 14-16 an hour. The most hours you will probably receive will be 60 hours for every two weeks (30 each week). Training seems less important to the company, even though they expect you to be able to be fast-paced and create the smoothies all at the same time. While being there, the most training that you'll probably receive is watching/reading a weeks worth of content about the company. Other than that, you'll probably only be shown (told) how to greet customers. Even though they express how training is so important to them, they definitely could improve in that area. Fortunately enough, we are able to get 15 and 30 minute breaks (well, you pick the amount of time). Though I will say, when there's only two employees there, no one will be able to take their break. Now onto the topic of overtime, it seems like overtime is only offered whenever an employee (or employees) request time off for vacations and such. And lastly, they definitely could improve at having more than two employees working the floor. Unless it's an expected slow day due to rain or the cold, they should
ProsFree smoothies, SOMETIMES overtime
ConsConstant fast pace, Training, Lacks having enough employees working at a certain time
1.) Currently, business is steady, so it makes time and work go by quickly. Some employees enjoy keeping the store sanitized and clean. Usually, we take the customers order, make the smoothie, process payment, and deliver the smoothie.
2.) From working at Smoothie King, I've learned the importance in remembering regular visitors. Promptly preparing each customers order. & appreciating a laid back environment.
3.) Management is currently underway since our most recently store manager is away on a Christian event in Alaska. However, due to my relocation back to Charlotte, I will soon be trained to be the manager.
4.) All of my co-workers are young teenagers. Most are either in high school or just beginning college. Since it is their first job, most employees appreciate working at Smoothie King.
5.) The hardest part of the job is difficult customers sometimes. As well as lazy employees. You don't want to step on any toes, but you also don't want your co-workers to think it's okay to be lazy all day either. Difficult customers are expected. I attack all customer complaints with care and plans of satisfying the guest concerns. However, I strongly believe in the terms: " You can't make everybody happy."
6.) The most enjoyable part of the job is how upbeat the stores atmosphere is. I know you are probably thinking, "how can an atmosphere be upbeat?" Well almost ALL Smoothie King's are extremely colorful. A lot of colors almost demand happiness. I love the fact that the environm
Terrible!!! Understaffed and manager never there!!
Manager never was there, never picked up the phone (we called all at once quite a few times!) or bothered to help out. Had us work in conditions such as no air working with no doors allowed to be opened. Rotten molded food in the back that I refused to prepare so we were short stocked. Would continually fib by saying they would be there or putting themselves on the schedule, only to never show up. Very small pay for doing basically everything, with little to no staff to help. You and one other person on a busy day in Midtown with 0 assistance from anyone else. No limit per the amount of customers on the store, which is especially dangerous and hectic considering $5 Friday’s. Terribly poor management and get fired over little things even though they’re the desperate ones who need help and more staff. Pay pennies for a plethora of work instead of hiring the amount of people they need at one time. No break room and you have to work 6+ days a week for over 7+ hours to make any sort of decent paycheck that isn’t even all too good compared to many other jobs in the grocery and food field (so if you’re looking for any decent money doing part time, you’re out of luck). Paid biweekly but don’t mind waiting a week after your pay period to get your check if you get this job, not just a few days. Lack of responsibility and manager barely knows what her employees are doing. Got fired whilst sick, job doesn’t appreciate nor value employees. Turnover rate EXTREMELY HIGH!!! Average amount pe
Very clean environment. Bubbly and friendly coworkers. Very professional management. Followed all laws and procedures. Always there to help you.
I respect Smoothie King as a franchise entirely. The only reason it didn't work out for me is because my energy didn't match the bubbly and outgoing energy of the business and that of my coworker's. Very clean and careful and all about making the guests happy and moving up in the company. They had to let my go because of my shyness and to make room on the schedule for high school summer jobs coming up. I 100% understood that I simply was not working out for them so I was asked to leave on good terms. My only complaint is the pay. They start you out at minimum wage because you make tips daily, but even on a busy day on HWY 190 in Covington, you would only make 4-6 dollars in tips and that would be gone the same day just in gas. They worked me full time and I had no time for another job so I struggled financially working there. The work is constant despite what you might think about how easy it seems to "just make smoothies", there is more to it than you think going in. If I had known just that before I was employed there I can't say I ever would have sought out a job with them. It is good for summer jobs and a little cash for after school, though. Not necessarily good for paying bills or having any extra money to spend on leisure activities or gifts as just a team member, though. Expect a fun, high vibration work environment, not to make Christmas or other holidays/ gifting occasions worth everyone in your family's wild.
I recently completed a job as a customer service representative at a large retail company.
A typical day at work involved answering customer inquiries via phone, email, and chat. I also assisted with processing orders and returns, and resolving any issues or complaints customers had.
One of the things I learned during this job was the importance of excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Being able to effectively listen to and understand customer needs, as well as finding creative solutions to their issues, was a key part of my role.
The management team at my job was very supportive and always available to answer questions or provide guidance. They created a positive and productive work environment and regularly checked in to see how things were going.
The workplace culture at this company was very inclusive and diverse, which made for a positive and enjoyable work experience. There were also opportunities for professional development and growth within the company, which was highly encouraged by management.
The hardest part of the job was managing difficult customer situations, but even in those cases, I felt well-equipped to handle them thanks to the thorough training I received.
Overall, the most enjoyable part of the job was being able to help customers and make a positive impact on their shopping experience. It was satisfying to see the results of my efforts and know that I was making a difference in the customer's day.
Inconsistent management, high employee turnover, low pay
For the majority of my time at smoothie king my manager was never present and spent her time working across the street at a different establishment (not smoothie king). The only time we ever heard from her was when she would log on to the cameras and yell at us when she saw us idle. Typical manager stuff. Pay was absolute garbage, lowest in town. When I applied my manager told me that after training my pay would be increased by $1/hour. However in the several months I worked there I was never trained and never received the pay raise. The seasonal nature of the job (nobody wants smoothies in the winter) makes it a busy summer job but a laid back winter job. Naturally because of this a lot of staff comes and goes, so don't expect to get attached to coworkers. Rushes are busy, dead times are dead. Be sure to stay busy even during dead times, as management doesn't seem to understand that customer activity fluctuates and will ALWAYS find something for you to do. No breaks, no lunch. At my location we were allowed one free medium smoothie per day, but it had to be made and consumed on our own time(i.e. after the day is over). Expect to be called in on your days off to work and be guilt tripped by shift leads/assistant managers into picking up extra shifts.
PROS:
Hours somewhat flexible
Job isn't really that hard
CONS:
Abysmal pay
inconsistent coworkers
Poor management
High stress
Questions And Answers about Smoothie King
How often do you get a raise at Smoothie King?
Asked Sep 16, 2020
Rarely
Answered Apr 12, 2023
Once
Answered Apr 11, 2023
What is the promotion process like at Smoothie King?
Asked May 16, 2021
very slow
Answered Jun 1, 2023
Easy
Answered May 31, 2023
What is the best part of working at the company?
Asked Feb 19, 2020
The bond the staff has built!
Answered Jul 3, 2022
Easy going. Good job to work.
Answered Jul 2, 2022
What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Asked Mar 16, 2020
very fast paced and most locations are poorly staffed
