Waffle House: Pop Culture Icon Waffle House remains cemented in pop culture as a place where one can enjoy a meal with friends at any hour. This image of a fun, all night hangout has recently been tarnished by multiple allegations of racism on the part of both customers and employees. Our group feels the best way to combat this negative association between the restaurant and discrimination would be for Waffle House to become positively involved in charities to support historically African American communities. By releasing more information and keeping an open relationship with the media, Waffle House will be able to more effectively contest negative publicity. Waffle House was founded in Avondale Estates, Georgia in 1955 by Joe Rogers, Sr. and Tom Forkner. Waffle House had humble beginnings in a small house in a local neighborhood. The founders simply wanted a place to dine with friends and enjoy the company of others. Rogers and Forkner gradually built their dynasty by adding a restaurant here and there as they had “the money, someone to run it, and a great location,” (Waffle House, 2005). The basic premise of this southern restaurant, devoted to “pancake’s crispier cousin,” was simple southern cooking and keeping overhead low (Hoovers, 2005). The restaurant chain embodies the spirit and culture of the1950s from the simple cash only payment policies down to the jukebox full of old time favorites found within every restaurant. The chain has altered its decorum and menu offerings minimally since it first opened in 1955. Waffle House has gained its fame for being open twenty-four hours a day and three hundred sixty- five days a year, regardless of bad weather or national holidays. Waffle House has a few simple mottos according to its founders, including “wanting a restaurant for our friends to come in and eat and visit with us,” (Waffle House, 2005). Other mission statement includes quality food and quality conversation at reasonable prices along with treating workers like family. Founder, Joe Rogers Sr., described Waffle House’s manta as personalized, friendly service. To accomplish this, employees follow simple rules such as “to win friends, be one,” and “a smile makes the food taste better,” (Waffle House, 2005). Rogers once compared the typical Waffle House custom... ... middle of paper ... ...n still reflects co-founders’ people skills. (2004, December 24). The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, p.1G. Retrieved March 10, 2005, from LexisNexis. The Waffle House. The waffle house story. Retrieved on March 19, 2005, from www.wafflehouse.com/presscoom.html The Waffle House. (2005, February 2). Waffle house restaurants celebrate 50 years of Good Fast Food. Retrieved March 12, 2005, from www.wafflehouse.com/pressroom.html The Waffle House. (2005, January 18). Waffle house, inc. statement in response to Washington lawyers’ committee charges. Retrieved March 19, 2005, from www.wafflehouse.com/pressroom.html Tierney, Mike. Suits filed v. waffle house; racial bias alleged in four states. (2005, January 19). Atlanta-Journal Constitution. p. 1C. Retrieved March 25, 2005 from LexisNexis. Warner, Pat. Waffle house, inc. statement in response to Washington lawyers’ committee charges; juries rule no discrimination in first cases against waffle house, inc. (2005, January 18). PR Newswire US. Retrieved March12, 2005, from LexisNexis.
Stephen Boos has worked in the food service industry for over 30 years. He started as a bus person and subsequently trained as a chef’s apprentice. Steve’s mother believed that a college education was something that everyone should receive. She felt that a college degree was a good investment in Steve’s future. In 1976 at his mother’s insistence, Boos moved to Northeastern Ohio to attend Kent State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After graduation, Steve began working for East Park Restaurant as a line cook. Using his education as a foundation, Steve made a point to learn everything he could about running a restaurant, from cutting meat to the bi-weekly food and beverage orders. His versatility, keen business sense, and ability to control costs resulted in Steve’s promotion to General Manager, as role he has held since 1995.
The Tucker vs. Walgreen Company was a nationwide known class action case. It fell into the category of race discrimination. This cases was brought to the attention of the law by African Americans who were employed at this retail and pharmacy store. This pledged that they were being discriminated to by the following acts:failure to move up in positions (promotion), dieing them the opportunity to apply for assistant manager and manager, and being assigned to an undesirable store for an extended period of time compared to whites. They filed a class action lawsuit with the demand of compensatory and punitive damages and declaratory and injunctive relief. Along with these demands, the plaintiffs desired class certification for those who have been previously affected by the defendant’s discriminatory acts as well as any who will suffer from them in the future.
In 1946 two brothers, Ben and Truitt Cathy, opened a diner in Atlanta Georgia called the Dwarf House Grill. The Dwarf House served a variety of typical grill food that included everything from burgers to hot dogs. All of that changed in 1961 when a poultry supplier stopped buy and sold Mr. Cathy chicken breast that were too large for the trays that they typically cooked the chicken on. Truitt Cathy decided that he did not want to throw out the chicken so he breaded the chicken and put it in the pressure fryer. He realized that he could cook the chicken in the same amount of time that it took to cook a hamburger and it tasted great. He had hamburger buns and pickles in the restaurant already and this is how the first chicken sandwich was made. In 1967 the first Chick-Fil-A store was opened in Atlanta’s Greenbrier Shopping Center and in 1986 the first freestanding franchise was opened. Today there are more than one thousand seven hundred Chick-Fil-A restaurants in thirty nine states. One of the ways that Chick-Fil-A has been able to make their company a success is through their unique approach to customer service. They are able to provide excellent customer service by turning individuals into team players. Teams can be seen in the hiring process, community involvement, national sponsorship, knowing what customers want, and cooperate culture. All of these different teams lead to excellence in customer service.
Chick-fil-A as a company cares deeply about their customers experience with the company. Chick-fil-A also wants to hear what its customers have to say through an open door policy. Chick-fil-A achieves this goal by allowing customers to freely right their reviews and thoughts on Chick-fil-A’s website. Overall, this program has been very successful and beneficial for both the customer and Chick-fil-A. Chick-fil-A has received a lot of positive feedback and has been able to improve their company because of the
Lewis, Peter (1992) “Judge Kills Bid To Study Race Bias In Jury Pools” The Seattle Times, May 30: pg A9.
David Dunlap, a 52-year old African American male with 25 year boilermaker experience, 15 years of which include foreman experience, brought suit under Title VII, alleging racial discrimination by the TVA after being looked over after interviewing for positions within the TVA. The district court agreed that “Dunlap had been subjected to discrimination under both disparate treatment and disparate impact analyses, concluding that TVA’s subjective hiring processes permitted racial bias against both Dunlap and other black applicants” (Walsh, 2010). The case was heard by the 6th District Court of Appeals and that court “affirmed the disparate treatment claim, reversed the disparate impact claim, and affirmed the district court’s award of damages and fees to Mr. Dunlap” (Walsh, ...
In January 2011, The City of Kansas City, MO lost its second multi-million dollar employment discrimination lawsuit in a one-week period. The former city employees, Jordan Griffin and Coleen Low, were awarded $345,000 and $517,000 respectively by the jury. Griffin, a former Senior Analyst and Commissioner of Revenue, says she was given the nickname “White Chocolate” in the false belief she would favor minority hires. She also says she was harassed when she refused to participate in the biased-hiring process and was overlooked for an interview for the Commissioner of Revenue position on a permanent basis because it was already “pre-determined” that the position would be filled by an African American. When the then Senior Analyst Low spoke up on her colleague’s behalf, she says the city laid her off as well. The city’s, assistant attorney, said the city did nothing wrong and that the city was forced to layoff another 73 people that year due to the slump in the economy (Evans). Did Griffin and Low deserve the money they were compensated and does reverse discrimination exist?
Chick-fil-A recognizes that their brand promise starts the minute the customer enters the premises. When a store opens for the first time, the franchised operator doesn’t just see an opportunity to sell his food product, but rather a “chance to interact, build community, and engage with customers and the community at large. We do this in a variety of ways. First and foremost, we strive to provide 2nd Mile Service to each customer. As we work to continuously improve, we want customers to experience something unique. We want to build community and create relationships between our customers and our food, people and restaurants” [3].
Grossman, J. L. (2010). Lewis v. City of Chicago: The Supreme Court protects the rights of disparate-impact discrimination plaintiffs. Retrieved from http://writ.news.findlaw.com/grossman/20100608.html
Walmart is a multi-billion dollar retail industry that hires thousands of employees a year. Over the last decade Walmart, there has been some speculation that Walmart discriminates against women. They employ 815,000 women, which is 57 percent of its U.S. workforce (Reed). Over 2,000 women from each of 48 states have filed legal complaints against Walmart and the company is said to have a history of unfair treatment of these female employees by under paid and how there are so many lawsuits against them given few opportunities for advancement (Hines). I selected this topic because after doing some research I discovered some shocking information about how Walmart supposedly treats their female employees and how there are so many lawsuits filed against them. This relates to my field of study because it shows what goes on internally between a company and its employees and how a company’s decision affects their employees. This also relates to my field of study because it an example of what occurs sometimes within a company and that is legal action from employee to the employer.
In the United States, racial discrimination has a lengthy history, dating back to the biblical period. Racial discrimination is a term used to characterize disruptive or discriminatory behaviors afflicted on a person because of his or her ethnic background. In other words, every t...
The main consumer characteristic that Cracker Barrel Old Country Store sets their standards on is “Pleasing people”. (Etzel, Walker, Stanton. 2001 pg. 204) A review of the Cracker Barrel Old Country store states, “This restaurant has a combo of good food, good service, and atmosphere. The gift shop is trendy, and affords one a place to browse. Do your browsing after the meal, for service is fast and efficient. One dines among country antiques that serve as decor. The country plates are a delight, and one must try the daily specials. Don't order dessert if you're not hungry. The blackberry cobbler and lemon icebox pie are superb. This is home cooking with affordable prices and great atmosphere.” (http://stlouis.citysearch.com/profile/3855636) Cracker Barrel stores appeal to both the traveler and the local customer and have consistently been a consumer favorite. Cracker Barrel was ranked as the top family dining chain for the eleventh consecutive year in the 2000 Restaurants & Institutions magazine "Choice in Chains" annual customer survey. It was also named “Best Family Dining” restaurant by Restaurant & Institutions magazine for the tenth consecutive year. The R&I award is based on a national consumer survey that evaluates chains on seven separate attributes: food quality, menu variety, value, service, atmosphere, cleanliness, and convenience. For 2000, Cracker Barrel scored highest among family dining establishments on every one of the attributes.
Positive motivation allows employees to be happy while working and also be the most effective worker possible. Hourly employees also have the ability to receive a $1,000 scholarship towards further education. This incentive for lower level workers makes everyone feel valued. Fairness is a part of Chick-Fil-A’s organization and brand. The equity theory shows that people are motivated by fairness. This scholarship equals out the playing field and motivates all workers, regardless of their social status and income. Operators will learn important skills, to improve their abilities while enjoying the get a way. The feeling around the organization is that everyone within the organization is family. This family feel makes all employees motivated towards one common purpose; making Chick-Fil-A the best it can be.
wonderful quick meal right in front of you. They show you hands on how to prepare and cook
While I was studying at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, a friend of mine decided to take me out for lunch before our next class begins. Since I did not know the area very well, I let my friend choose our lunch destination. She had chosen a local eatery called Jefferson’s. Its location was a ten-minute drive on Pelham Road, away from the university.