Has anyone on BGP ever been a restaurant manager? If so, exactly what was your job responsibilities? One of my pet peeves is when I got out to eat, place an order, and are told about 5 minutes after I've placed my order that they are out of that particular item? Isn't it the job of the manager to make sure that the restaurant is well stocked so this won't occur? It happened again last night. We went out to eat at Applebee's, my wife and I order the 2 for $20 special, where you get a appetizer, and two dinner entrees for $20. About 5 minutes later the waiter comes back to the table, and informs me that they are out of the appetizer ( Queso dip and chips) that we ordered. He brings us a menu so we can decide on another appetizer, and tells us he'll be right back. He returns to the table a couple of minutes later, and informs me that I'll also have to order another entree because they are out of the Spicy shrimp pasta that I had ordered. I shook my head in disgust, and basically told him that was pathetic. I told him I realize he had nothing to do with it, and I wasn't blaming him, but that was just terrible management IMO. A few minutes later the manager comes over to the table, and I really laid him to him. I told him that I thought it was a poor reflection on him as a manager, and that I didn't understand how he lets things like that happen. He tried to comp my meal, and I wouldn't let him, but needless to say I wasn't a bit happy with Applebee's last night. Was I being too hard on the manager, or do others agree that is just poor management?

I quit going to Applebee's (used to go quite often) simply because they seem like they're not very organized. I give places multiple chances to screw up before I put them on "the list." However, Applebee's exceeded their quota. I always talk to the manager if there's a problem and let them respond. If they respond properly we're cool. If they play the blame game and fail to take responsibility as the leader of the organization we're out.

I always thought it was the head cook/chef's responsibility to order food but I could be wrong.

I personally have not had any problems at Applebees. However, if the manager offered to comp my meal, I certainly would not have refused. I would have taken the comp, but would have made sure to tip the waiter/waitress. I have never been a manager, but did wait tables in college. I do remember wondering at the time why anyone would want to be a restaurant manager. Rarely does anyone want to see them when things go well, and they work awful hours.

It is somebodies fault, but there are many places in the chain for communication to break down. There are typically 2-3 in management positions (general manager, front of house or shift manager (FOH) or kitchen manager/back of house (BOH) who usually works one shift, leaving one unmanaged.

 

The BOH manager is responsible for ordering. Usaually 2-3 times per week. They have to "guess" how busy they will be based on many factors (weather, holiday, nearby special events, history, promotions, etc...). Order too much, you have waste and lose money. Order too little and you run out and have unhappy customers.

 

As far as informing customers of the shortages, there is usually a board posted to write "86" items (means out of). The kitchen prep staff may forget to notify someone of the the 86, or the servers do not look at the 86 board. The delivery could be delayed or the supplier is out of a certain item.

 

It is unfortunate, but it happens all too often in busy, franchise style restaraunts.

Edited July 2, 201115 yr by Amber Lamp

My wife and I still laugh at the memory of us pulling into McDonald's on 3L and them telling us they were out of hamburgers.

My wife and I still laugh at the memory of us pulling into McDonald's on 3L and them telling us they were out of hamburgers.

I've been to Taco Bell when they were out of meat and this was before they had all the steak and chicken options. Also been to Arby's when they ran out of roast beef.

Yes, keeping everything running smoothly is the manager's job. It may have been a case of miscommunication between the server and the manager. The blame still needs to be put on whoever is in charge at the time though. Where I work, I've always had the mindset that anything that goes wrong is my fault.

My wife and I still laugh at the memory of us pulling into McDonald's on 3L and them telling us they were out of hamburgers.

 

I remember when that happen. I also went to Ponderosa Steak house in Newport a long time ago and they was out of steak.

The only thing worth ordering at applebees is a blondie. Otherwise Ive stopped going there. The quality of their food just doesnt seem as good as it used to.

The only thing worth ordering at applebees is a blondie. Otherwise Ive stopped going there. The quality of their food just doesnt seem as good as it used to.

 

I agree, the maple butter blondie is worth going for, but my wife and I usually agree that we should have ate dinner somewhere else and came to Applebees for dessert.

One has to think that this could be a reflection of our current economy as well. There was an article a few weeks back in USA Today about increased cost on menu's due to the higher cost of shipping food. I wouldn't be at all surprised if restaurants are trying to make as few shipments to their stores as possible in order to save money. Me personally I probably would have just left.

The only thing worth ordering at applebees is a blondie. Otherwise Ive stopped going there. The quality of their food just doesnt seem as good as it used to.

:clap::clap::clap:

Maybe it is the eternal pessimist in me but it takes alot for me to say anything to a manager. I usually just sit and take it and never go back. Maybe that is another age thing? Or my history in working a job where we never had anything we were suppose to (KMart...most pathetic business in America IMO).

Maybe it is the eternal pessimist in me but it takes alot for me to say anything to a manager. I usually just sit and take it and never go back. Maybe that is another age thing? Or my history in working a job where we never had anything we were suppose to (KMart...most pathetic business in America IMO).

 

That's funny. Everytime I go to KMart I leave thinking "Shoulda just gone to WalMart..."