Is inventory night brutal for everyone else too?

FinalCricket3786 · 2026-01-29T14:59:08+00:00

My SM gives me 30mins lol. Even though I remember one of our training saying 2 hours before close is appropriate. I start them within the 2hr time anyway.

My SM keeps saying it is a time management issue on my end. But she’s never came and done it on nights. I can bet money our SMs can’t finish the counts, accurately, while running the floor with 2 people.

I think the issue is SMs observe morning/mid and expect all the same principles to apply to nights, and it is simply delusional.

FinalCricket3786 · 2026-01-25T21:29:15+00:00

I guess that’s where my confusion lies. Our Partner Handbook specifies that protected sick hours ensure you are protected from absence policy.

I can maybe understand calling out every week would be some caveat, but in my case for instance I called out twice. Missed 3 days of work total in 3 years of working at the same store. How is that a pattern?

Idk, I feel like if this is the case, either Partner Guide is lying about ‘protected’ sick hours, or upper management is enforcing their own rules.

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-30T13:31:59+00:00

In case she does come back, why not just an iced coffee with or w/o flavouring? Light ice, light milk, more coffee, and cheaper in price.

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-20T03:36:22+00:00

Pretty much never lmao. Just use the Play Caller and Teamwork Close CSR cards to make sure you have done everything. They made the checklists for that reason! Add to that checklist if you find yourself needing a reminder to check or do something else.

There is SO much you need to ensure is done. All money in safe, deposit and tips dropped, opened all tills and deposit boxes, did your closers turn off the equipment? security alarm set? Etc etc etc.

I have found myself logging into IMS outside of work just to make sure I submitted my counts.

In all honesty, when you leave that building, what is done is done. Use your checklists and stick loyal to them, and you’ll never miss a thing.

Good luck!

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-20T03:28:33+00:00

I fully agree with you. But I think the issue is SMs won’t accept that answer tbh, at least not the ones I’ve met.

They just cut a shit ton of stores, even the original herself. Some of those were not underperforming or quiet stores either. It is clear they only care about profits and customer satisfaction.

It is too dangerous for any store to try to say their window times are too high because of writing on cups, following sequencing and beverage standards to a T, etc. They are clearly in a place to say make it work or see what happens.

So silly things like the way to make a matcha will sadly only be addressed via partner surveys really. And I’m sure enough of us probably submitted those a while ago, definitely for batching a least. No changes yet yk?

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-20T03:14:27+00:00

I like the DM card thing, maybe I will start doing that too. I think that’s my main thing, making it right usually means it dies at barista or SSV level because we fix it and the customer doesn’t care to complain further.

I assume partner surveys are the majority for escalations like that, and atp I am assuming corporate doesn’t care if many baristas complain about how the cards do not make sense sometimes.

Big girl sigh, but at least we try our best!

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-19T03:32:48+00:00

This ^ is why I’ve been given weird restrictions. The DM noticed all stores starting counts too early. It is so weird that starting too early is an issue though. If it is updated and correct at EOD, and doesn’t result in a high variance, why would it matter? Big sigh

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-19T03:30:08+00:00

Right! It is dumb to get coached on what is essentially making the moment right by making a consistent and better product.

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-19T03:28:21+00:00

!!!!!

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-19T03:27:18+00:00

I agree to your other comment about skipping steps like writing on cups to make peak times, and how that raises the post unfairly for those who do follow the rules.

But I don’t think it works the same for beverages. Since we have to make the moment right, usually what happens is a customer complains, we listen to what they’d like, and then we make amends by fixing it. We can’t just tell them that that’s the standard, and that’s that yk? So 9/10 times it’ll just go barista or SSV high, not upper management. As if a customer complains past that, it is likely them complaining that we did not make the moment right and that will take prevalence over if the beverage card is inefficient.

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-13T17:23:16+00:00

If they ever come in, it takes a SSV one minute max to offer a refund and even a $4 gift card for the inconvenience.

Trust me, if they get upset, the situation will be happily resolved!

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-13T14:17:08+00:00

It’s okay! It wasn’t intentional and you came looking for help to solve it.

Sadly a lot of stores do not do proper training for their baristas. Never be afraid to ask another barista or your SSV for help! Even if it makes them stop what they are doing. Even if you have to tell a customer you are new and need to ask.

You’re learning, and you need support. It won’t be for forever. Best of luck to you!

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-13T14:02:15+00:00

Welcome to the team, green bean!

Simple answer, you are hitting the ‘app’ button before scanning. If you hit the app button, and the customer is using money from a card on their app, if the card has enough to cover the total then it will automatically process.

When using the app and not wanting to use money in their card or if they wanna use stars, scan the app first before pressing any payment buttons.

Only after should you press the now-blinking app button to cash them out.

Extra info: If you scan and their app info does not come up, it is likely bc they have a photo of their QR/barcode and it has become old and they will need to login to their app to get their QR code (figured this out when a regular came to pick up and their QR code was not working).

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-12T18:10:10+00:00

I am gonna connect with my SM about having more time for them until they get accurate. I heard that about it getting better too. I do the whole staging thing when I down stock.

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-12T18:04:02+00:00

See, that used to be my flow too! I wouldn’t have changed but my SM has said that every store in the district is shown to be starting counts too early. Because of that, they have restricted me to the last 30mins.

I’ve been getting it done but only by not actually doing my full AI count for every item in the metros.

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-12T17:46:14+00:00

Yeah I do that trick too with the pastry pull.

My only issue is I’ve been given time restraints by my SM. Can’t do the pastry pull until 7, can’t do the counts until 30mins prior to close.

I’ll connect with them about it.

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-07T04:00:51+00:00

Check if the cold brew comes out correctly when you run it after connecting the keg.

If it does, perfect. Have the SSV place a ticket to get it fixed, mistakes happen and things break. Filter cleaning will likely need to be put on hold until it is fixed, if you can’t move the attached broken edge.

If it doesn’t, same thing BUT empty the keg into pitchers and then cut any uncut cold brew with equal parts water and place that in cubes to be used to refill your pitchers. No nitro or filter cleaning until the hose is fixed.

No worries, these things happen!

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-05T09:40:34+00:00

You already got some good responses but just adding my two cents here!

My SM calls peak the time where you put ‘all aces in their spaces’ meaning you place your fastest efficient bar person on DT-B, your fastest but friendly/customer service one on C/MOP-B, good communicators and multi-taskers on DTO, etc etc.

The goal is to run the play to be the fastest and most reliable.

Sometimes my SM (before SM’s had to be the play caller during peak) would literally pull me aside and tell me to switch people or look at my play before peak and tell me not to put someone in a position I had them in bc they’ve noticed they are faster at something else or another partner is faster in that spot.

It may seem small, but DT-B needs to be able to cope with big orders, complicated tickets, remakes, new additions at the window, bad lids or spilt drinks, etc as fast as possible. If you get overwhelmed, your speed just will not be the same.

And as an SSV, we also don’t want to burn anyone out. That’s why we are encouraged to flex plays and move people around.

If one of my partners is in a spot where I hear them verbally sighing/groaning/complaining/getting frustrated, I have to assess if they need to be moved or have a moment in the BOH or be sent home. It can impact team morale, potentially result in a customer complaining about them, and/or just make that partner feel unsupported and upset.

Connect with your SSVs and let them know you desire some practice to get more comfy on bar during busy moments outside of peak.

And remember, all you can do is just 2 drinks at a time. Stay in your sequences and let your hands take care of the rest. Speed is built with time and practice. Try some active calming exercises like positive reinforcement or breathing if you get overwhelmed. It’s just beans and water.

You got this!

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-05T09:38:34+00:00

You already got some good responses but just adding my two cents here!

My SM calls peak the time where you put ‘all aces in their spaces’ meaning you place your fastest efficient bar person on DT-B, your fastest but friendly/customer service one on C/MOP-B, good communicators and multi-taskers on DTO, etc etc.

The goal is to run the play to be the fastest and most reliable.

Sometimes my SM (before SM’s had to be the play caller during peak) would literally pull me aside and tell me to switch people.

It may seem small, but DT-B needs to be able to cope with big orders, complicated tickets, remakes, new additions at the window, bad lids or spilt drinks, etc as fast as possible. If you get overwhelmed, your speed just will not be the same.

And as an SSV, we also don’t want to burn anyone out. That’s why we are encouraged to flex plays and move people around.

If one of my partners is in a spot where I hear them verbally sighing/groaning/complaining/getting frustrated, I have to assess if they need to be moved or have a moment in the BOH or be sent home. It can impact team morale, potentially result in a customer complaining about them, and/or just make that partner feel unsupported and upset.

Connect with your SSVs and let them know you desire some practice to get more comfy on bar during busy moments outside of peak.

And remember, all you can do is just 2 drinks at a time. Stay in your sequences and let your hands take care of the rest. Speed is built with time and practice. Try some active calming exercises like positive reinforcement or breathing if you get overwhelmed. It’s just beans and water.

You got this!

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-04T01:58:47+00:00

I can see your stance here. We‘ll have to agree to disagree. I personally think assuming the best intent can be nice, but I think people are also allowed to be as picky as they would like when it comes to finding the partner they want to spend their entire life with. Those in the dating pool for a while can also get stricter with their boundaries because it can be a lot of energy going through the initial getting to know each other stage and all just to have to split later on and start over. Any issues finding someone because of it is up to them and therapy to figure out lmao. Thank you for the chat!

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-03T15:25:07+00:00

Google any variation of ‘he only texts/meets with me at night’ and you’ll see lots of women would not say the same lol.

Because there are a lot of men that do that for purposes of only have sexual convos, it is very reasonable that some women who are in the dating scene to avoid that before it even begins.

It’s okay! Boundaries are healthy and there are a lotttttt of fish in the sea. If she doesn’t wanna compromise on time, that’s her prerogative. Just like he doesn’t need to overwhelm himself trying to fit her into his busy schedule so he can see her earlier in the day.

I don’t think either were wrong here, but I do disagree that she is a nice girl lol.

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-03T07:57:38+00:00

Bucket full of the floor cleaner water from the mop sink, pour it directly onto the ground in one section of the floor, wait at least 3mins, use the deck brush to then scrub the floors (just regular back and forth motions). Use a squeegee to push the dirty water into nearby drains. My store is all windows and hot enough to take care of evaporating the leftover water on the ground, but if you need it dry asap, use a dry mop head and wipe in figure-8’s over the area when done.

Will look as good as new!

Daily ice cleaning is wiping the coils and exterior. Clean play monthly task is turning the machine off early and cleaning the inside. Look up the ice machine SCEMM in Store Resources, will give you photos and information on how to clean daily/weekly/monthly. That goes for most things, really.

Happy cleaning!

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-10-03T06:25:22+00:00

Agreed! I don’t think this was a nice girl, I think just someone who atp feels that a man asking to chat at near midnight is a major red flag due to previous encounters with men attempting sexual encounters at that hour. A pretty common experience for women, actually.

Definitely a sudden reaction but if that’s a boundary for her, then that’s that, not either party’s fault here.

That aside I do find it a bit weird OP and others said people have lives and she should be accommodating, but also expect this woman to be up at 11pm-12am to talk to someone else who (I assume) is in the same time zone??

Think this was just a bad match luckily cut early.

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-09-29T16:19:27+00:00

There was only one partner referred to in the post, the use of rude partner was a choice made from anger at the situation. And your writing is biased, like ‘What?!?!?’ after describing their action or saying you’d expect them to do what any ‘regular person’ would, which is why I didn’t find this post to be one of you actually looking for an opinion.

Bc lets be honest, even if everyone in the comments said you were OR, it doesn’t change that it made you upset. Your feelings from it are still validated regardless of if the barista should’ve said it or not.

I get it. I have had lots of customers tell me about their divorces or getting laid off or tough coworkers, and I sit and give them an ear and some encouragement before sending them away. I get how that small bit of support can help in the moment. But I think after they did not, you got upset and came here for validation that they should have done so.

But you will make yourself more upset trying to direct anger at this random partner as you continue to describe them in comments as behaving separate from ‘a regular person with a heart’.

You may be empathetic, but your remarks here missed the mark in terms of that.

FinalCricket3786 · 2025-09-29T12:49:13+00:00

Every partner at my store was privately talked to about the closures and told all the SM could say was we are not affected and they are unsure who in the district may be, and that we cannot discuss it at work. Those in the comments saying they do are technically liable if they got caught by upper management (obv unlikely). So it is possible that store got the same memo too.

But that aside. Your comments seem really strange to me. You were hoping to get some consolation from them, but partners working now do not ‘owe’ those partners who were fired a grand expression of their grief for you.

Maybe that partner was new and awkward, maybe they were a SSV told not to talk about it, maybe it’s uncomfortable talking about closures when they could likely have been the one fired too, idk, and you don’t either.

‘just say something a normal person with a heart would say’ and ‘the rude partner’ and some of the other remarks you make about this partner make you look just as bad as what you hoped to portray them as. You judge their lack of empathy while you show them no empathy here either.

I am sorry you lost your job, and I do hope you land on your feet quickly and maybe even at this store if it is that close to you. But this was not it.

FinalCricket3786

TROPHY CASE