Issues at Wendy's Drive-Thru

Actually, they are not the same thing. I guarantee that if someone
other than yourself had ordered chicken tenders and was then given
chicken nuggets, that they would be writing a complaint about how
"Wendy's can't get orders right and doesn't tell you if they don't
have something" right now.

Just ignore the speaker if you can't hear or understand. Drive up to
the window where you can speak to the cashier one on one.

Why is this a problem? We are not robots! We do not have to rely on
machines. Make it happen. DRIVE UP TO THE WINDOW and quit trying to
argue the point with the speakers...they half the time don't work
anyways...we know that! When you smile and show up at the window just
smile and simply say you couldn't understand the speaker. Life goes
on much easier that way (at least this stressful part of it will lol)

I worked at Wendy's for a year. When I first started, we had the
homestyle chicken strips, which were long pieces of chicken, which are
normally considered chicken tenders. They were discontinued November
2006, and the chicken club was introdcued in their place, however
chicken nuggets were continually offered. People would still try to
order them, 8 months, even 10 months later, when they wern't even on
the menu. I would always correct people, not in a disrespectful way or
to prove that im right and they are wrong, but to make sure that they
know what they are getting. The nuggets are cheap and processed, and
the tenders were fillet-ed strips.

She was not annoyed that you did not state the proper name of the
product, but was simply verifying that you knew what you were getting,
and most likely thought you were trying to order the discontinued
product.

Maybe what the person meant when it became garbled, was that they were
out of Chicken tenders when she said they didnt have any?

Just a shot in the dark. Running out of food does happen.

But I agree that the systems should be replaced. I dont go through
drive throughs as I dont have a car (although one night at a 24/hour
the manager let me through to be nice when I rode up and found it was
only 24 hour drive through. I didnt do it again though), but I imagine
it can be a pain in the butt, especially if you're hard of hearing
like me.

There is a huge difference between chicken tenders and chicken
nuggets. Wendy's here carries both. I am sure you would be writing a
complaint if you ordered one and not the other.

None the less, you are correct if the drive thru intercom is not
working they should invest in a new one. Many of the systems in use
are over 15 years old and use analog VHF radio channels which are
wrought with interference. New systems can cost up to ten grand and
it's easy to see in this economy why they might be holding off and
making due with their old system.

With me being a drive thru cashier at a Wendy's, we are trained to
give you the correct name of the product we sell to you. Usually if I
can't get my point across after two times I just continue on with the
rest of the guests order.

I have been told by many a guest that I speak clearly and enunciate
better than they have heard at other drive thrus. I make it a point
because of the reputation of the speakers.

This is a case of no winning. Chicken tenders and chicken nuggets are
two completely different things. If she didn't attempt to clarify
and you received the wrong item, you'd be complaining. She did
attempt to clarify so you would receive the item you were expecting,
and you're still complaining.

No winning.

I agree about the speakers though. It's the reason I never use the
drive-thru.

These are very different in my view. I like chicken tenders but not
the nuggets at some of these places.

However I do agree with you that the speakers have to be in good
working order. And the employees have to know how not to have an
attitude with the customers. The customers are not there to be taught
a lesson...the employee is there to help the customer with their
order.

I eat chicken tenders and I have a good idea of what chicken nuggets
are. They aren't the same product.

I can see a customer that wants one and gets the other being upset. I
think it was right for the CSR to clarify what you were getting.

The comment about the drive through system is a good one, and I hope
they consider checking and fixing it.

Chicken tenders and chicken nuggets are two completely different
things to me. Tenders are usually not as "processed" as nuggets and
tend to be crispier, thinner, and longer. Nuggets are usually rounder
and thicker.

I've never gotten any type of chicken product at Wendy's but I would
have appreciated the employee telling me they had nuggets not tenders
because to me, there is a difference.

At Chik-fil-a, nuggets and tenders are different items.

Dana...in the restaurant business, this is known as "educating" the
customer and is almost always discouraged by management because the
end result is the customer usually feels belittled and doesnt
understand why they just cant order the product without all the
hassle.

The employees who insist on doing this try to hide under the blanket
of "well, Im just trying to help the customer" or "gee, Im just trying
to make sure they order the right thing". In reality, it's just a
"good" excuse to tell the customer they're wrong.

When there are two similar products on the menu then the employee
could be trying to make sure the customer is ordering the correct
product. But Wendy's only has one kind of chicken nugget/tender
product so there was no point in the employee arguing with you.