One of the problems with being away for several weeks is that the cupboard is bare. Consquently, I have had the "dubious" benefit of eating fast food twice this week. Once for breakfast at McDonalds and once for lunch at In-N-Out Burger. For you unfortunate souls who do not live in California, Arizona or Nevada, In-N-Out Burger is a local burger chain that emphasizes the quality of the food.

http://www.in-n-out.com/default.asp

I was amazed as I watched the workers at In-N-Out Burger concerning their efficiency and professionalism of the staff versus my experience at McDonalds. I found the staff at McDonalds to be unmotivated and listless. The overall experience at In-N-Out Burger was vastly superior to McDonalds. I believe that the root cause is the way In-N-Out treats their employees. Not only does the company pay significantly above minimum wage, but also it provides a complete benefits package to its employees. Their company culture is to provide back to the community and all stores are company-owned.



And it truly shows in the quality of the food. The burger and fries are freshly-made (though it may take time to get your food -- sometimes Order-N-Wait during crowded times) and are awesome. If you are on the West Coast and hankering for a great burger meal, then In-N-Out Burger is a must.

Finally, some food for the mind. I think that In-N-Out Burger is a recipe for success for many companies: Treat your employees fairly, provide some clear goals and guiding principles, and watch the magic happen.