Work, School, Work...

Chances are, you've visited a Subway at least once in your life.  For the rest of us, we've had our share of footlong's.  Still it calls our name from time to time.  We strolled into a Subway in Meriden, CT, near closing on a Monday night.  Enter Sammi.

More often than not, there is a line of people ordering food, yet the staff seems to churn them out.  They call them Sandwich Artists, we call them Sandwich Machines.  For a very obvious reason we chose to write about Samantha, better known as Sammi.  She has a bright smile with very catching eyes.  Those are very great traits, but it's the bright smile that got our attention.  Reason being, it was late, the staff is probably tired, and they have a long list of closing duties to be done. 

Sammi came out of the back, just after washing her hands, to greet us.  Immediately she had recognized Todd, our Photo Journalist.  See, we used this Subway as a meeting point.  Todd had ordered his sandwich earlier in the day.  I was making plans for a late night sandwich.

"I remember you," Sammi said, "you came in earlier today."

It's amazing that with the amount of customers that pass through there, that she took the time to remember, and address him.  That was one of many rules of customer service that make someone successful.

I placed my order, and paid for my sandwich.  I noticed the tip jar was in poor health and that was how this interview started.


Me:  Why is there only $1 in your tip jar?  Is that everything for the shift?

Sammi:  Yah.  Some people tip, some don't.  Often times people think the tip box is a change jar to break dollar bills, or simply take money from it.

Me:  So you are allowed to accept tips from customers.  Did you know that some Subway's have a no tip policy?  (This is at the Franchisee's discretion)

Sammi:  I've heard that from other co-workers.

With her permission, Sammi let us in on her day to day's.  Currently studying at CCSU, Sammi is pursuing a degree in Accounting.  That seemed ironic as she operates a cash register at Subway.  She has been at this location for 2 1/2 years working her way up to a position of shift management.  She knows many of her regulars and from time to time, "I make a double chocolate chip cookie for one of our regulars," she said with a chuckle.  

Sammi also works as a Host and Takeaway Person at the 99 Restaurant in Wallingford, CT.  She said that some of her regulars recognize her at the 99 Restaurant and ask for her to be their server.  As of now she has not yet made the jump to restaurant server, but we wish her all the best.

Me:  Can you suggest any tips for us to pass along to customers that want to better their experience here?

Sammi:  I really think that acknowledging us when we say hi, is a start.  Once we have established those lines, they move down the sandwich line with ease!

Me:  How about specifics?

Sammi:  Well, it starts with the bread and the type of meat.  We simply need to know these before they are to be toasted, because your sandwich may get passed to another artist.  If you try to tell us your entire order right away, it really slows down the line.

Me:  Say yes or no to this statement:  "Does it bother you if someone is talking on the cell phone while trying to order their food?"

Sammi:  If they have to answer it, they have to answer it.

We think that Sammi is a gem.  The girl has two jobs and puts herself through college.  She works hard, and it shows.

Yertip Suggests:  These types of positions depend on tips.  If you see the jar/box empty, put a dollar or two in there.  It helps if other customers see you doing this.

Vote for Sammi!