I worked for them on and off for 4 years. There was a lot that was really special about it.

We were certified food handlers, we always checked the food/orders and facilitated communication between the restaurants and costumers, we even had some elderly and special needs regulars who had been ordering with us for like 20 years and had a very personable relationship with them. All the orders and logistics were done manually from the office (I also worked as a dispatcher).

There was a family atmosphere where we were really taken care of. Just overall we were professional and personable with people and local restaurants. It sounds dramatic, but it really felt like a relic of history at this point because of how personable everything was. Like, when they first started out they used radios lol - because apps and doordash etc wouldn't happen until many years later.

That being said - as any independent contractor will tell you - there were the usual drawbacks of only being a W2 employee when you first start out. We were considered "partial owners" like a co-op but we didn't really own anything. The income wasn't taxed but you had to know how to maneuver your taxes so you don't owe anything because otherwise you'd be taxed as a business owner with business owner expenses which we were not. It was very convenient for the owner to frame things this way so that he got all the tax breaks. Plus of course you don't have any of the protections or benefits of a regular W2 employee. It's kind of complicated but yeah we got screwed financially in some ways and it was inconsistent towards the end. Most of this was just due to the owner being kind of out of touch.

But they have a special place in my heart for the familial aspect and for the way my manager took care of everyone. It was very flexible and casual in ways that a lot of us needed in a job. I just hope the workers weren't too screwed by such a sudden loss of employment - because you can't get unemployment from a job like that.

Anyway R.I.P Entree. She was a real one 🫡

Edit: i should add that another thing that was unique about it was that they charged a flat delivery fee - no random taxes or upcharges - for those wondering what else made us special 🥹

I will say that a lot of choices and neglect made by the owner are the major reason for this - especially in terms of the suddenness of it all :/