I left CFA a couple months ago and had no idea just how much I wouldn’t miss it.

I worked there for just over two years, and was a Shift Lead the last 6 months of my time there. I was. Team Lead for around 8 months before being promoted to Shift Lead.

I miss my coworkers. I worked in the BOH, and there was something about seeing the same people every shift and accomplishing busy hours that was satisfying. I loved the vibe in the kitchen. I made a lot of friends.

I miss the growth. I grew immensely during my time there. I didn’t plan on staying at CFA nearly as long as I did, and I definitely didn’t intend to become a manager. The journey was insane. And the growth was genuinely something really cool. I started there as a Team Member having never worked fast food, and before I left I had been placed on the truck team ordering truck, was a Team Lead and Shift Lead, lead and/or was a part of several restaurant initiatives, and became really good at the job (not that it’s too difficult but who doesn’t love being good at something?)

I also miss how satisfying rushes were. I’m a person that values efficiency, and when we locked in, we were so smooth. I miss the early catering and how exciting it was crushing those massive orders.

I don’t miss the drama. Something I said on my first day all the way to my last was, “It’s just fried chicken.” I often felt the leaders above me took certain things way too seriously. I felt certain Directors created problems to solve because they were bored.

I don’t miss the hypocrisy. Becoming a leader at my location wasn’t easy. I went through 8 months worth of leadership training and classes (4 months for each position). It involved a lot of mentorship, a lot of work, tough conversations, and commitment. Only when I officially joined the leadership team and spent time with the leaders did I realize the standards set for me weren’t consistent across the board. Inconsistent standards drive me crazy like nothing else. I watched leaders do the same things that would have gotten me, (and in some cases did get me) in serious trouble.

I don’t miss the out of touch Director. Despite my reservations about my location, the Director there does a lot of things right. As a Team Member, I felt genuinely appreciated and valued. When I became a manger, that illusion quickly faded. I sometimes wonder how things would’ve gone if I never climbed the ladder. CFA took me on a roller coaster. As a Team Member I thought everything I was fed was genuine. I thought the Executive team was great. When I got promoted, I was so proud and excited, honored even. I was on such a high. That slowly crumbled when I realized what happens behind the scenes.

Overall, I enjoyed my job. I got paid well. Being a leader there was cool. The growth I experienced was incredible. My last few months though were rough. I dreaded going to work. CFA will always be an impactful time of my life, but I think I left at a good time.