An illustration depicts Viewpoints Editor Isabella Gresham completing many tasks at once during her shift at Chick-fil-A. Gresham began working at CFA at the start of the 2025-26 school year and has since worked to balance her job alongside homework and activities. “Since I have begun working, knowing that I may not be able to get everything done all the time has opened up more doors than it closes,” Gresham said. “It allows me to better prioritize and identify necessary tasks. Because of the opportunities allotted to me through my job, I now know that I am set up for success later down the road.” Illustration by Sylvia Robinson
Viewpoints Editor Isabella Gresham discusses her job at Chick-fil-A and the impact it’s had on her.
“To have a positive impact on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.”
Stated above is Chick-fil-A’s Corporate Purpose, outlining how each Front of House team members should respond to guests.
Following that statement, the five core values are listed as continuous improvement, hustle, positive attitude, stewardship and to have fun.
As a member of the CFA team since the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, I have been pushed and encouraged to follow the restaurant’s purpose and values as closely as possible.
“I have become better about asking for help rather than strugglign on my own.”
— Isabella Gresham,
Viewpoints Editor
Beyond the learning, I’ve had many humorous moments, including, but not limited to, my friend spilling nearly an entire container of sticky, runny milkshake base on herself, my coworker dropping a full stack of clean trays with countless sauces piled on top and multiple bags of thick strawberry sauce leaking all over myself and the floor, which fill me with amusement each day.
Nonetheless, no matter how unnerving it may be to tell people, “I work at Chick-fil-A,” queue “My pleasure” jokes, my position has granted me the most amazing coworkers and a newfound respect for all service industry workers and the difficult roles they endure each day.
Throughout my employment, I have come to understand the importance of responsibility, respect and balance more than I ever had.
In an environment based on efficient and nearly-perfect customer service, working under pressure is the everyday norm. In just one month, I learned how to serve customers both inside and outside, be on drinks and desserts for the drive-thru, bag dine-in and carry-out orders and close the entire store so we can attempt to get out at closing time.
From this fast-paced atmosphere, I’ve learned to not be so focused on tiny mistakes, and instead to complete each task efficiently and well. Additionally, I have become much better about communication and asking for help when needed rather than struggling on my own.
Though my job is generally enjoyable, the more hours I take on and the three-four day work week makes the mounds of homework seem impossible. But, since I have begun working, knowing that I may not be able to get everything done all the time has opened up more doors than it closes.
It allows me to better prioritize and identify necessary tasks. Because of the opportunities allotted to me through my job, I now know that I am set up for success later down the road.
In my fifth month working at Chick-fil-A, I’m now constantly trying to make a positive impact on everyone I encounter, even beyond the guests at work.
While saying, “My pleasure,” about a 1,000 times a day isn’t always the most pleasurable, I’m endlessly grateful for my job and all the newfound skills I have because of it.
