ali baba wrote:The lower standards of service in the US is due to a lack of staff not because the quality of staff is lower.

i disagree. having worked in american fast food it really does pull the bottom of the barrel. they don't care, feel entitled to a job and a check, and don't want to do anything above bare minimum to get it.

I went to a BK in Northern continental Europe few times, not too long awhile ago, the taste was pretty much the same as all the way here, service was good, not many BK's with parking in that area, one of the times I was there, on a holiday, they had a line out the door, so busy for sure, price was about $15 for a double Whopper meal, with mayo and ketchup added, ($1).

But OD, you haven't covered the most important question: Will Burger King Cambodia join the Whopper's 60 year anniversary? Here in Bangkok, we can get whoppers for about $2 (60 baht, 60 years, how cool is that!) on Wednesdays, starting this week.

It's a luxury here. Of course you are going to get superior service than the States. Rich people go to Burger King here and poor people go to Burger King back in America.

When the minimum wages of both countries are the same, then you can compare staffing vs. service. That level of staffing would make your Whopper cost $12 in the States. - And who wants anyone opening the door for them and "showing them to their seat" at a fast food joint? I'll sit where I want. Just get the food and the bill right and I'll take care of the rest.

Yeah... It's pretty ridiculous to compare the two. The only places in Cambodia that can rival in service are those huge seafood/bbq/soup places that are a true Khmer-style fast food. You need to make yourself noticed, but staff there work fast and efficiently (generally). No lazy flip-floping around or playing with phones in the corners. Otherwise, a waitress in a western restaurant will run circles around the average Khmer waitress. The only reason the service was good is because they have 35 employees. Parking attendant, "door openers", cashiers, waiters etc. I personally find overstaffing really annoying. I don't need anyone to open doors for me. For every good overstaffing experience, I've had 20 bad ones.

And why would anyone on minimum wage exert themselves more than needed? The only joy you get in fast food joints is joking around with friends. They also apparently do the job of 5 khmer workers each, so it's not surprising that service might suffer. But seriously, who the hell goes to Burger King for SERVICE?! Part of the pleasure of fast-food IS the self-service. No need to wait after a waiter.

I do find it surprising you have to pay extra for ketchup and shit in the west. Never heard of that. Don't they have self-serve ketchup stations?

OrangeDragon wrote:Today I went to the Burger King here in Phnom Penh Cambodia.

Brother, if you're going to make the starting lineup for the PP Ultimate Frisbee team...you need to focus on granola, tofu, fresh veg and salads...

and the gym...don't forget the gym...

So have BK Cambodia achieved the quality and consistency customers expect from such a global franchise yet, or are they still lacking in that area? Trucking in fresh supplies like veggies and buns is a tricky supply chain in a country with piss poor infrastructure.

dagenham wrote:

OrangeDragon wrote:Today I went to the Burger King here in Phnom Penh Cambodia.

Brother, if you're going to make the starting lineup for the PP Ultimate Frisbee team...you need to focus on granola, tofu, fresh veg and salads...

and the gym...don't forget the gym...

First of all, I'm not sure if OD is quite ready to be worried about securing a starting spot on PP's Ultimate team. While his first performance was impressive. He does have some work to do.

Secondly, sake is an important part of the ultimate diet. At least it will be for me before playing tonight...

TPM

OrangeDragon wrote:

ali baba wrote:The lower standards of service in the US is due to a lack of staff not because the quality of staff is lower.

i disagree. having worked in american fast food it really does pull the bottom of the barrel. they don't care, feel entitled to a job and a check, and don't want to do anything above bare minimum to get it.

Earlier you said the the US outlet had 1 person operating 1 till. You expect this person to help you park, open the door, take your order, deliver your food and clean up after you? That person definitely deserves more than minimum wage.

You're comparing apples and oranges. Fast food is a low status job in USA it is a mid status job here. McDs USA has a $1 menu. If you compared a restaurant in Cambodia where everything cost $1 with a restaurant in the US where the prices are much higher you'd see a difference in service. You may have also noticed that labour is much cheaper in Cambodia than USA, allowing restaurants to offer better service.