Drive-thru's backing up onto streets

[rickmastfan67]

Most fast food places here in Louisville are still drive thru only. I suspect that some will never reopen their dining rooms. (Fine by me).

We're finally getting some opened inside here in the Pittsburgh area for dine-in.

McDonald's was the first last year, but they've had a few times where they closed the inside for awhile again, and then reopened.  But as of today, they are open inside.

Taco Bell was the next to fully reopen inside, however, their hours aren't constant.  I've gone there once @ 12:30PM, and the inside is closed, but hitting them up another day at 5:30PM and they're open inside.  It's been hit and miss, but they've been getting my business as of late as long as they're open inside, as I rather be able to stretch my legs while sitting down and eating instead of having them cramped inside of the car.

Wendy's has (well, at least the one I can check) is 'partially' open inside.  You can go in and order, but you can't sit and eat inside yet.

Arby's is still drive-thru only.  However, I did run across one that was open inside in the South Hills of Pittsburgh one day, unlike my local one.  My local one also has the worst hours too.  They had been only open till 8PM for quite some time (c19 hours), but only recently, changed to 9PM (compared to Taco Bell being normally open till 11PM or later in the drive-thru just across the street).  This is a location that used to be open till 1AM (drive-thru) in the past.  Plus, my local Arby's HAD been the #1 store in Pittsburgh in sales.  Can't see that being the case anymore with their messed up hours, and sometimes slow service as of late.

UPDATE: Wendy's JUST reopened inside today.  Found out by dumb luck by driving by it and seeing somebody sitting inside at the window that wasn't dressed in a Wendy's uniform.  So, ate there today for lunch.   Finally got my first Frosty Float in just over 2 years (drink + Jr Vanilla Frosty). 

See if it is consistent or not. I have some that are open and closed at random intervals with no way of knowing until you try the door.

Very true.  But they did take down the sign they had on both doors saying they were only open inside for takeout @ Wendy's.  So, promising sign.  Plus, they took down all the 'Covid' shields they had at the counters.  That, to me, says they plan on staying open inside once again.

[Scott5114]

I was sort of hoping places were going to keep the covid shields after the pandemic. They weren't really that much of a pain, it would be helpful to keep from passing around non-covid germs, and it was nice knowing there was some kind of physical barrier to keep crazy people from being able to hop the counter or reach across and fuck around with shit on the cashier side (the latter was a constant problem at my old job).

[GaryV]

For the most part any dining rooms in the Twin Cities that aren't fully reopened at this point are due to staffing issues, not COVID.

I think that has been true most places for months now, but they keep using COVID as an excuse where possible.

And "staffing issues" often means, we can't make money if we pay people enough to get them to work here.

[SEWIGuy]

For the most part any dining rooms in the Twin Cities that aren't fully reopened at this point are due to staffing issues, not COVID.

I think that has been true most places for months now, but they keep using COVID as an excuse where possible.

And "staffing issues" often means, we can't make money if we pay people enough to get them to work here.

That pretty much goes without saying.

[kphoger]

For the most part any dining rooms in the Twin Cities that aren't fully reopened at this point are due to staffing issues, not COVID.

I think that has been true most places for months now, but they keep using COVID as an excuse where possible.

At a Taco Bell near me, which is open for drive-through only, the cashier recently told us they were limiting orders to one item only.  I assume that's because there was only one or two people on staff in the entire place.  Not going back there anytime soon.

[SEWIGuy]

I oppose smartphone-only deals (and smartphone-only vaccination cards, etc.), but for an entirely different reason from HighwayStar: Not everyone is able to afford a smartphone, and even for the majority that do have one, it could be lost, in need of repair, or at 0% battery.

But the smartphone deals are given by the companies because it literally costs less for them to take the order, discounts shouldn't be given to customers who save companies money? Incentives 101 here

You're missing the much bigger reason. App-only deals are given because when you install their app on your phone you're giving them all sorts of juicy valuable data about you if you don't have the wherewithal to block permissions (and most people won't). They'll know where you live, they'll know where you work, they'll know if you walk into one of their competitors' stores, they'll know who you're hanging out with if your phone spends a bunch of time near someone else's phone who also has the app, etc.

Indeed, whenever any company wants you to install their app... this is generally why. Your smartphone is a personal homing beacon tracking your every move and they want access to that info.

None of this really bothers me all that much. 

[kphoger]

And I dislike app-only anything for a different reason:  I no longer use a smartphone.

[SEWIGuy]

...Open a bank account; you get a credit score...Regularly pay your car insurance; you get a credit score...

While it probably varies among banking institutions, bank accounts and insurance policies often are *not* reported to credit agencies.

That's my issue.

"FICO is good for you."

"Ok, let me see how it's calculated."

"No.  Just take our word for it and any future need for debt will depend upon it."

While the exact number will vary among even the different reporting agencies, basically, you pay your bills on time, your score goes up. Utilize minimal money on your credit, your score goes up. The longer you maintain a credit history, your score goes up.

If someone has some late payments, constantly bump up against your credit limits or declared bankruptcy, your score goes down.

People know their past history.  If they say their score shouldn't matter, then chances are they have a history that tells creditors it does matter.

Credit agencies have been using these scores for decades. Creditors have relied on those scores for decades. They are tried and true for a high percentage of their business.

I'm surprised that nobody mentioned that credit scored actually go down when paying off a loan because it decreases one's variety of credit.  Apparently paid off accounts don't count, whereas they would if it was purely an indicator of how well one can handle debt.

It's been a few years for me since I paid off a loan, but I think the actual decrease is very minimal.  If someone is on the line between good and fair, or excellent and good, it may affect them. But otherwise any actual decrease isn't noteworthy.  Credit utilization when someone pays for an expensive trip on their credit card, or does a lot of Christmas/Holiday shopping, has the same effect with a small decrease on the credit score. Once that payment is made to reduce/eliminate the balance, the score pops back up.

If you pay off a loan or a credit card balance, and close the account, your score can go down.  If you keep a credit line open, but leave it unused, it is actually very good for your credit score.  Unused credit balances show that you aren't going to spend simply to spend it.  That is why I have a couple of no fee credit cards that I no longer regularly use outside of a couple routine monthly charges.  I pay them in full each month but have the balance open.  I save my heavy use for the card that earns me the most points - which I pay in full as well.

[webny99]

For the most part any dining rooms in the Twin Cities that aren't fully reopened at this point are due to staffing issues, not COVID.

I think that has been true most places for months now, but they keep using COVID as an excuse where possible.

At a Taco Bell near me, which is open for drive-through only, the cashier recently told us they were limiting orders to one item only.  I assume that's because there was only one or two people on staff in the entire place.  Not going back there anytime soon.

Why on earth would they bother staying open at all then?

[HighwayStar]

For the most part any dining rooms in the Twin Cities that aren't fully reopened at this point are due to staffing issues, not COVID.

I think that has been true most places for months now, but they keep using COVID as an excuse where possible.

At a Taco Bell near me, which is open for drive-through only, the cashier recently told us they were limiting orders to one item only.  I assume that's because there was only one or two people on staff in the entire place.  Not going back there anytime soon.

Why on earth would they bother staying open at all then?

The real answer is they were not authorized to limit orders that way, and corporate would probabally have a cow if they found out what they were up to. Its not a rational business decision by any means, but for a couple lazy employees that want to collect a cheque and not work it makes perfect sense.

[webny99]

For the most part any dining rooms in the Twin Cities that aren't fully reopened at this point are due to staffing issues, not COVID.

I think that has been true most places for months now, but they keep using COVID as an excuse where possible.

At a Taco Bell near me, which is open for drive-through only, the cashier recently told us they were limiting orders to one item only.  I assume that's because there was only one or two people on staff in the entire place.  Not going back there anytime soon.

Why on earth would they bother staying open at all then?

The real answer is they were not authorized to limit orders that way, and corporate would probabally have a cow if they found out what they were up to. Its not a rational business decision by any means, but for a couple lazy employees that want to collect a cheque and not work it makes perfect sense.

The staffing shortage could have been legitimate, but limiting customers to one item is obviously a terrible resolution (does this mean literally one item? what about meal combos? people with a spouse and/or kids (basically everyone)? etc.). A better solution would be to cone off the drive thru after a set number of cars, or even just telling people about the staff shortage combined with longer wait times could be a significant deterrent.

[kphoger]

The staffing shortage could have been legitimate, but limiting customers to one item is obviously a terrible resolution (does this mean literally one item? what about meal combos? people with a spouse and/or kids (basically everyone)? etc.). A better solution would be to cone off the drive thru after a set number of cars, or even just telling people about the staff shortage combined with longer wait times could be a significant deterrent.

Yeah, all five of us were in the car, picking up lunch on the way home from church.  I told her through the speaker that we had planned to order a taco party pack (12 identical tacos).  Her answer:  Sorry about that.

[HighwayStar]

The staffing shortage could have been legitimate, but limiting customers to one item is obviously a terrible resolution (does this mean literally one item? what about meal combos? people with a spouse and/or kids (basically everyone)? etc.). A better solution would be to cone off the drive thru after a set number of cars, or even just telling people about the staff shortage combined with longer wait times could be a significant deterrent.

Yeah, all five of us were in the car, picking up lunch on the way home from church.  I told her through the speaker that we had planned to order a taco party pack (12 identical tacos).  Her answer:  Sorry about that.

I would report their ass to corporate.

[webny99]

The staffing shortage could have been legitimate, but limiting customers to one item is obviously a terrible resolution (does this mean literally one item? what about meal combos? people with a spouse and/or kids (basically everyone)? etc.). A better solution would be to cone off the drive thru after a set number of cars, or even just telling people about the staff shortage combined with longer wait times could be a significant deterrent.

Yeah, all five of us were in the car, picking up lunch on the way home from church.  I told her through the speaker that we had planned to order a taco party pack (12 identical tacos).  Her answer:  Sorry about that.

I would report their ass to corporate.

And leave a one-star review warning others of what happened.

[hotdogPi]

This feels like they're trying to strike without actually being able to. Of course, the way it turned out, if that is the case, nobody is going to know that they're doing it in protest, so it will be for naught.

[HighwayStar]

This feels like they're trying to strike without actually being able to. Of course, the way it turned out, if that is the case, nobody is going to know that they're doing it in protest, so it will be for naught.

[hbelkins]

I was sort of hoping places were going to keep the covid shields after the pandemic. They weren't really that much of a pain, it would be helpful to keep from passing around non-covid germs, and it was nice knowing there was some kind of physical barrier to keep crazy people from being able to hop the counter or reach across and fuck around with shit on the cashier side (the latter was a constant problem at my old job).

I haven't found any places that had them that have removed them.

[jeffandnicole]

I was sort of hoping places were going to keep the covid shields after the pandemic. They weren't really that much of a pain, it would be helpful to keep from passing around non-covid germs, and it was nice knowing there was some kind of physical barrier to keep crazy people from being able to hop the counter or reach across and fuck around with shit on the cashier side (the latter was a constant problem at my old job).

I haven't found any places that had them that have removed them.

Home Depot and Lowe's have removed them Convenience stores also. When I start thinking about it. quite a number of places have gotten rid of the shield.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

I have found the shields to be annoying when I go into a place that is overly loud with crowds and/or music and it's impossible to lean in closer to speak to and hear the cashier better.

[kphoger]

I have found the shields to be annoying when I go into a place that is overly loud with crowds and/or music and it's impossible to lean in closer to speak to and hear the cashier better.

Add in face masks and a cashier who speaks too quietly, and communication is hopeless.

[Scott5114]

For the most part any dining rooms in the Twin Cities that aren't fully reopened at this point are due to staffing issues, not COVID.

I think that has been true most places for months now, but they keep using COVID as an excuse where possible.

At a Taco Bell near me, which is open for drive-through only, the cashier recently told us they were limiting orders to one item only.  I assume that's because there was only one or two people on staff in the entire place.  Not going back there anytime soon.

Why on earth would they bother staying open at all then?

The real answer is they were not authorized to limit orders that way, and corporate would probabally have a cow if they found out what they were up to. Its not a rational business decision by any means, but for a couple lazy employees that want to collect a cheque and not work it makes perfect sense.

tell me you've never worked a day in your life without telling me you've never worked a day in your life

I have found the shields to be annoying when I go into a place that is overly loud with crowds and/or music and it's impossible to lean in closer to speak to and hear the cashier better.

Usually cashiers would rather you not do that anyway. I don't want to get any closer to an unknown person than I have to be. Sure, they're probably just trying to hear me better, but I don't know if when they lean in they're going to try to steal something from my side of the counter (had that happen before) or try to grab me or something.

[jeffandnicole]

I have found the shields to be annoying when I go into a place that is overly loud with crowds and/or music and it's impossible to lean in closer to speak to and hear the cashier better.

Usually cashiers would rather you not do that anyway. I don't want to get any closer to an unknown person than I have to be. Sure, they're probably just trying to hear me better, but I don't know if when they lean in they're going to try to steal something from my side of the counter (had that happen before) or try to grab me or something.

If a customer can't hear the cashier, what are they supposed to do?

[Scott5114]

I have found the shields to be annoying when I go into a place that is overly loud with crowds and/or music and it's impossible to lean in closer to speak to and hear the cashier better.

Usually cashiers would rather you not do that anyway. I don't want to get any closer to an unknown person than I have to be. Sure, they're probably just trying to hear me better, but I don't know if when they lean in they're going to try to steal something from my side of the counter (had that happen before) or try to grab me or something.

If a customer can't hear the cashier, what are they supposed to do?

I would much rather them make some sort of gesture or otherwise indicate that they can't hear me somehow, so I can either speak louder, write down what I'm trying to say on a post-it or something, or I can wave what I had to say off as being unimportant and not worth repeating. (Not that the last one helps sometimes. More than once I'd say some meaningless pleasantry like "Okay, everything looks good" or "Just a second while this loads on my computer" that wasn't worth repeating but the customer simply would not let me move on to the next step in what we needed to do until they successfully comprehended what I had to say, then get huffy that they wasted so much time on something unimportant.)

(Of course when it was something important I could yell it at the top of my lungs and have it on a flashing neon sign and they wouldn't listen to me.)

[rickmastfan67]

I was sort of hoping places were going to keep the covid shields after the pandemic. They weren't really that much of a pain, it would be helpful to keep from passing around non-covid germs, and it was nice knowing there was some kind of physical barrier to keep crazy people from being able to hop the counter or reach across and fuck around with shit on the cashier side (the latter was a constant problem at my old job).

The shields wouldn't have stopped any crazy people at my local Wendy's.  Especially since the opening for the employees to go behind the counter was literately 4in to the left of the cash register.  Having the shields stay up would have only slowed them down by less than a second.

[HighwayStar]

For the most part any dining rooms in the Twin Cities that aren't fully reopened at this point are due to staffing issues, not COVID.

I think that has been true most places for months now, but they keep using COVID as an excuse where possible.

At a Taco Bell near me, which is open for drive-through only, the cashier recently told us they were limiting orders to one item only.  I assume that's because there was only one or two people on staff in the entire place.  Not going back there anytime soon.

Why on earth would they bother staying open at all then?

The real answer is they were not authorized to limit orders that way, and corporate would probabally have a cow if they found out what they were up to. Its not a rational business decision by any means, but for a couple lazy employees that want to collect a cheque and not work it makes perfect sense.

tell me you've never worked a day in your life without telling me you've never worked a day in your life

I've worked plenty trust me. And worked food service for a chunk of it. Never closed early or short serviced a customer because I felt like sitting on my hindquarters and playing on my phone.