Article Sample questions and answers from all your favorite fast food restaurants, direct from our career coaches 0 2022 Life coaching https://www.lifecoachhub.com/img/uploads/articles/thumbs/1165_1669149867.jpg Career coaching life coaching Lifecoachhub Pty Ltd LifeCoachHub

Wendy's Interview Questions & Answers: Career Coach Guide (+ Panda, Subway, Panera and Dunkin')

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Tips for Wendy's Interview Questions, Panera Bread, Subway, Dunkin' Donuts, Panda Express from a career coach

Do you remember that uneasy feeling in your stomach just before an interview? I sure do.

Interviews can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially if you don't know what to expect or if you care about getting a specific job position. Wouldn't it be great to know what questions an interviewer might ask you in your next job interview?

The good news is that our career coaches have researched for you and put together the most common interview questions for specific job positions.

When applying for a specific job, being well prepared is essential. One way to do that is by practicing the answers to common interview questions and understanding the do's and dont's to avoid common interview mistakes. This is what a career coach would work on with you.

Whether you're applying for a job at Wendy's or a position at Dunkin' Donuts (or maybe Subway, Panera or Panda are more for you), practicing answers to these interview questions will increase your chances of getting hired.

Skip ahead:

Wendy's Interview Questions and Answers

Dunkin' Interview Questions and Answers

Panera Bread Interview Questions and Answers

Panda Express Interview Questions and Answers

Subway Interview Questions and Answers

Fast Food Job Interview Questions

Handing your resume in person can be a good thing

Before you start job hunting, ask yourself:

'Where would I like to work?'

'What is my favorite fast food restaurant?'

Fast food restaurants are constantly looking for solid workers, so don't get discouraged if you can't find any job positions available for your favorite fast food restaurant. Instead, you can simply walk in and hand your resume to the hiring manager at any time.

Applying directly at the branch can sometimes give you a strategic advantage for multiple reasons:

  1. Handing your resume in person might demonstrate that you're willing to go the extra mile.
  2. It might make your application more memorable if the hiring manager can link a face to it.
  3. Even if the company is not looking to hire anybody at that moment, they might keep your resume and reach out to you first once the new position becomes available.

So if you think about it, there is nothing to lose. The worst thing that can happen is the company won't contact you, but at least you'll know you've tried.

Our coaches tell us they have a number of clients who landed jobs successfully after dropping their CV in person instead of applying online.

The only disadvantage is that the hiring manager is typically not at the job site, and employees might not always hand over your resume.

It's also important to note that many fast food companies work as franchise business models, so restaurants are privately owned. Although the company structure and formulas will remain the same regardless of the location, the interview will depend on the hiring manager and their hiring process and preferences.

One more thing to consider before applying for fast food jobs is the proximity of the fast food restaurant to your home.

Working in a fast food restaurant might be an excellent starting position if you're a high school student or a recent graduate. However, you might not have a car yet, and punctuality is super important, especially in the fast-paced service industry. Working close to your home will make it easier to get to work on time and reduce commuting expenses.


Whether you're applying for a job at Wendy's or a position at Dunkin' Donuts, practicing answers to these interview questions will increase your chances of getting hired.


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Do's and Don'ts from a career coach for Successful Fast Food Job Interviews:

Make your resume stand out for your job interview on Canva

Do's: 

  • Fast food companies are often open for extended hours so showing that you're flexible with your time is a big plus.
  • Be enthusiastic and answer questions to the best of your ability.
  • Emphasize your customer service skills, teamwork spirit or any other relevant skills.
  • Prepare specific scenarios of how you resolved customer complaints or delivered exceptional customer service in the past.
  • Arrive on time, dress smart, give a firm handshake and smile to make a great first impression.
  • Do your research about the fast food company you plan to apply for and know their company's culture and values.
  • Make your resume stand out by using resume-building websites such as Canva. You can use basic templates for free, and they're fully customizable.

Dont's: 

  • Don't talk too much or not enough.
  • Don't make it all about you. Instead, focus on what you can bring to the table.
  • Don't be too personal. Keep it professional.
  • Don't badmouth past employers.
  • Don't focus on what you can't do; emphasize what you can do.

What to Wear for a Fast Food Job Interview

The smart casual, clean, representable look is the way to go in fast food job interviews.

A first impression goes a long way. You want the interviewer to see you take the interview seriously. That means no chewing gum in your mouth while speaking or no shorts. Opt for long pants and a blouse or shirt.

The following are examples of common interview questions for specific fast food companies.

Wendy's Company Culture

Wendy's is a fast-food restaurant chain founded in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio. The company has approximately 7000 restaurants worldwide and is known for its square hamburgers, sea salt fries, and frosty beverages.

Some of Wendy's core values are:

  • Do the right thing
  • Treat people with respect
  • Give something back

When asked about these values during an interview at Wendy's, emphasize how your personal values align with the company's values. So, for example, you could talk about how you love working with people in a collaborative and inclusive environment.

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Wendy's corporate culture: Learn it to ace your interview

Wendy's Interview Questions

Your interview at Wendy's will be pretty short and straightforward, with some common interview questions plus a few customer service-related questions.

Tell me about yourself.

I'm hardworking and reliable. I thrive in a service oriented and collaborative environment. Generally, I'm a self-motivated individual with a positive attitude. I believe you only get out of life what you're prepared to put in. 

Why would you like to work at Wendy's?

I love the company's values. I also think that Wendy's offers excellent opportunities for personal development. It seems like a fun place to work with a lot of potential to grow within the company. I'd love to help Wendy's to continue to be one of the best fast food companies in the US.

Tell me about a challenging situation and how you handled it.

I was working the drive-thru alone during a hectic lunch rush hour. Cars were lined up to the street, and some customers were getting impatient. Nevertheless, I kept my cool, apologized for the wait and took their orders as quickly as possible. I learned that it's important to stay calm under pressure and only deal with one task at a time.

What are your strengths?

Choose strengths that are relevant and genuine. If possible, back them up with some examples.

I pride myself on being a great team player. I'm good at connecting with people from all walks of life. On top of that, I can stay calm under pressure which makes me confident that I can provide customers with a great experience.

What are your weaknesses?

I'm a perfectionist, so I can sometimes be quite hard on myself if I make a mistake. However, I've learned that it's important to take mistakes as learning opportunities and not dwell on them for too long. 

How do you handle working in a fast-paced environment?

I've worked in several fast-paced environments before, and I learned how to perform under pressure. As a result, I strive to be as efficient as possible when getting things done on a busy day.

How would your friends or previous coworkers describe you?

My friends would describe me as friendly, outgoing and always up for a good time. My previous coworkers would say I'm professional, punctual and always willing to lend a helping hand.

What do you think makes a successful fast food worker?

Working well under pressure is one of the essential qualities of a successful fast food worker. Building rapport with customers and creating a positive customer experience is also important.

Can you give me an example of how you handled an upset customer in the past?

I had a customer who was frustrated because her order took too long. I apologized for the wait time and offered her a free drink while she waited. I also kept her updated on the status of her order. When she received her food, she was happy with the outcome and thanked me for my help.

How would you handle a rude customer?

I would try my best to de-escalate the situation by remaining calm and professional. I would resolve the issue as quickly as possible. However, if the customer was still rude and disrespectful, I would escalate it to a manager.

How many hours are you looking for?

I am looking for full-time hours. I am available to work on weekends as well.

Do you have reliable transportation?

Yes, I have a car. 

PANERA BREAD COMPANY CULTURE 

Panera Bread is a chain of bakery-café fast casual restaurants in the United States and Canada, with headquarters in Missouri. Their focus is on serving high-quality food in a warm, welcoming environment.

The company was founded in 1981 by Ron Shaich and Louis Kane. Today, there are over 2000 Panera Bread locations.

Panera Bread's culture is based on a set of core values that guide everything they do. These values include a focus on the customer, teamwork and communication, respect for each other, continual learning and growth, excellence in everything they do, and accountability.

In terms of their customer focus, they strive to provide the best possible experience for their customers.

Panera prioritizes hardworking team players who are warm, authentic, and eager for new opportunities. 

If you're good at one of these areas, you'd be a great fit for the company:

  • Making people smile
  • Learning, growing, and taking risks
  • Finding solutions and being proactive
  • Working and winning as a team
  • Having fun and celebrating success
  • Seeing the best in others

Panera often hosts open interviews for a variety of job positions. It's an excellent opportunity to show up with your resume and get noticed.

Panera Bread interview questions tips and tricks from a coach

Panera Bread Interview Questions

What does good service mean to you?

To me, good service means providing the customer with what they need in a timely, efficient and warm manner. It's essential to be patient and friendly, even if the customer is having a bad day. Good service also means going the extra mile to ensure the customer leaves smiling and will want to come back. 

Tell me about your experience working in a high-pressure environment. 

The interviewer wants to know that you can handle the workload without getting overwhelmed. If you don't have previous experience working in stressful environments, you can discuss examples from your personal life.

When I have a large workload, I make sure I break the tasks down into bite sizes and focus only on one task on my list at a time. This system works really well for me. It helps me narrow my focus rather than getting stressed by having to do many tasks at once. 

Tell me about a time someone gave you excellent service (or went above and beyond for you). 

I was impressed with the service I received recently at a hotel I stayed in. The staff went out of their way to ensure my stay was comfortable and enjoyable. They remembered my name after only meeting me once. It made me feel very valued as a customer. 

Do you believe in the phrase that 'customer is always right'?

While reading through Panera Bread's career page, I noticed that one of your customer service mantras is 'You speak, We listen'. The food industry is very competitive, with many dining options. Therefore it makes a difference to try to accommodate customers as best as possible within reason. 

Tell me a time you had to learn something new that was tough for you. How did you persevere?

I remember when I had to learn how to use Excel for work. It was tough at first because there were so many features and formulas. However, I persevered by practicing a little bit every day. I also looked up tutorials online and asked colleagues for help when needed. After some trial and error, I felt much more confident using Excel. 

Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult person. What did you learn? What was the resolution?

I had a difficult customer who was very unhappy with her purchase the other day. She was being quite rude and demanded a refund. I learned that staying calm and trying to understand the customer's needs is crucial. After listening to her concerns, I could offer a solution that satisfied her and prevented the situation from escalating further.

Why would you like to work for Panera Bread?

Panera is all about community and creating connections within the Panera Bread family, so it pays off to say something aligned with those values.

I'd be excited to join the Panera Bread family and experience your open and positive workplace. 

What do you think will be your least favorite part of this job?

Read comments or reviews on Panera Bread to see any potential pain points. Or simply think about what comes up as the most common challenges working in the fast food industry.

Of course, I would not want to enter a job, thinking there are things I would dislike. However, to be realistic, everything has its pros and cons. As long as the positives outweigh the negatives, I can work with that.

DUNKIN DONUTS COMPANY CULTURE

Dunkin Donuts is a coffee and donut chain founded in 1950 by William Rosenberg. Since then, the company has become one of the world's leading coffee and baked goods chain, with more than 11,300 Dunkin' restaurants worldwide – over 8,500 restaurants across the US plus over 3,200 international restaurants in 36 countries.

Dunkin Donuts is known for its classic, smooth coffee and a wide variety of flavors and types of donuts, as well as its affordable prices. The company has a franchise business model so people can open their own locations.

Dunkin' Donuts is committed to serving guests high-quality fresh coffee and baked goods.

Community is at the heart of Dunkin' Donuts. They're focused on creating a community amongst their employees where they can learn, grow and follow their passions but are also committed to giving back to their local communities. They often hold fundraisers for local schools and organizations, sponsor sports teams, and more.

At DD, They strive to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment. One of the cornerstones of the company's culture is continued learning. Their commitment to continued learning shows in the yearly L.E.A.D. Summit, which stands for Learn, Explore, Achieve, and Develop. The summit was officially launched in 2019 in response to employees' feedback seeking ongoing development tools, resources, and opportunities throughout the year. 

At DD, you have opportunities to work as a crew member, shift leader, assistant manager, or operation director. Many job positions are also available to become part of their corporate structure.

Dunkin' Donuts interview question guide

DUNKIN DONUTS INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

If you want to increase your odds of getting hired for Dunkin Donuts, specify that you're flexible with your availability when sending through the application, especially if you can work at weekends or in the evenings.

What is your availability?

I am available to work any day of the week, including weekends and evenings. I understand that the coffee and donut industry is busy and open for long hours, so I am willing to accommodate my schedule as best I can.

How long are you planning on working here?

Of course, any company will prioritize workers who plan to stay long term. Training a new employee is time-consuming, so they don't want to waste all their time training someone only to have them leave right after.

I am looking for a long-term position with Dunkin Donuts. I understand that it takes time to learn the ropes and become familiar with company culture, but I am patient and willing to put in the effort to make a long-term commitment.

Why would you like to work for Dunkin Donuts?

I would like to work for Dunkin Donuts because I love coffee, a fast-paced environment, and I'd like to save some money for my college. I also appreciate the company's commitment to providing affordable prices. 

What can you tell me about Dunkin Donuts?

Donkin Donuts sells coffee and other kinds of beverages and pastries. The first Dunkin Donuts was built in 1950. The founder of DD is Wiliam Rosenberg.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

A good strategy to answer this question is to talk about your weaknesses first so you can end on a positive note.

Start with weakness, add how you work on improving it, plus end with strength.

Sometimes I have trouble waking up early in the morning. I am working on fixing this by setting my alarm clock earlier and going to bed at a reasonable time each night. One of my strengths is that I am very organized and detail-oriented. Being organized helps me to stay calm under pressure and complete tasks efficiently. I'm also good at problem-solving, so I always try to find the best possible solutions for resolving any customer complaints. 

Why should we hire you?

Emphasize any strengths that are relevant to the job position.

I'm good at multitasking, a hard worker and naturally good with people. I genuinely enjoy making people's day, and I'm sure I would be an asset to the team. 

How would you deal with an angry customer?

I'd make sure to stay calm and composed. I empathize with how the customer feels and paraphrase their words so they feel heard. Then I provide the solutions to the best of my ability and within the company's guidelines. If my proposed solution doesn't work, I ask for advice from the supervisor. 

Panda Express Company Culture

Panda Express is a fast-casual family-owned restaurant chain that specializes in Chinese-American cuisine. It's the largest Asian dining concept in the US, founded in 1983 in California and has over 2000 locations worldwide.

The company has a family-oriented working environment and provides a lot of support and care for its staff. 

Panda Express's mission is to deliver exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to improve their lives. This mission shows in many opportunities available at Panda for personal development and career growth, whether in creative, business or service roles. Panda Express even has the so-called University of Panda with online classes, videos and books if you choose to develop your leadership skills or grow professionally and personally.

At Panda, they have a way of doing things. They call it a 'Panda way', which consists of 4 areas when it comes to work and life:

  • Healthy lifestyle
  • Continuous learning
  • Developing others
  • Acknowledging others

Panda Express Interview questions and answers

Panda Express Interview Questions

Panda Express focuses a lot on assessing your soft skills during an interview - such as your communication, collaboration and listening skills, as well as your energy level and enthusiasm for the job.

Unlike tangible hard skills, soft skills are not easy to measure, making it much more difficult to screen for them.

Harvard study shows that EQ, a.k.a being street smart, often matters more than IQ, a.k.a being book smart. 

"Emotional intelligence—the ability to express yourself, understand your effect on others and manage yourself accordingly accounts for nearly 90 % of what moves people up the ladder when IQ and other technical skills are similar."

In other words, soft skills are equally as necessary as hard skills, if not more important, as they can be very good indicators of future job performance.

Employers are starting to prioritize applicants with emotional intelligence. Therefore, it's a good idea to think of a few examples for interview questions screening your soft skills, such as 'Tell me about a time when....'

Here are examples of Panda Express interview questions:

Tell me about a time when you saw something inappropriate. How did you respond? 

This can be a tricky interview question to answer. In this type of question, the employer assesses your integrity and accountability level. For example, a hiring manager wants to learn what steps you'd take to caution the employee politely and whether you'd notify higher management.

I once witnessed a coworker stealing at work, so I politely cautioned him and told him that I would have to report it to my manager.

Tell me about a time when you and your coworker didn't agree on something. What was the situation, and how did you resolve it?

This question assesses your ability to resolve conflict and find common ground with others.

I once had a small fallout with my colleague because of our different working styles and ideas about how to approach a project. I listened to him attentively and did my best to see the project idea from his perspective.  My go-to method for disagreements is to understand before being understood. I learned this method from Stephen Covey's book - 7 habits of highly effective people. 

Tell me about a time when you went above & beyond for a customer.

This question assesses your level of customer service skills. The interviewer wants to know if you are passionate about delivering excellent customer service and whether you would go the extra mile. Suppose you haven't worked in the customer service industry before. In that case, you can prepare examples of when somebody else delivered exceptional customer service to you or when you did something special for a friend, etc.

I remember this one time when I went above and beyond for a customer. I was working for airlines, and this lady came up to me and was visibly upset. She said she had lost her wedding ring and didn't know what to do, so I offered to help her look for it. We looked everywhere, but we couldn't find it. So I asked her to describe the ring, and she did. I called the airport Lost & Found, and eventually, we were able to locate the ring. She was pleased and left a positive review on our company website.

Tell me about a time when you were assigned a task or project with a timeline and how you accomplished it.

This question assesses your time management skills.

I was assigned a project with a very tight timeline, and I wasn't sure if I could do it, but I didn't want to let my team down, so I gave it a shot. It required me to work extra hours for a few days, but eventually, I could complete the task on time.

Share a challenging situation or problem you were faced with and how you developed a unique solution.

This question assesses how you react to difficult situations and your problem-solving skills.

As a retail assistant, I often encountered difficult situations with frustrated customers. I typically began most interactions by apologizing, asking what I could do to assist, and empathizing with what they experienced. Then, based on their answer, I would suggest a few options for resolutions within the scope of our company policy allows. In most cases, this was enough to satisfy the customer, but if they still weren't content, I would ask a manager to speak with them.

Tell me about a time when you helped your fellow coworker. 

This question assesses your ability to work well with others and be a team player.

While working at a restaurant, I heard that one of my colleagues had a birthday. She was new to town and didn't have many friends yet, so I also decided to organize a small get-together after work with other coworkers. She was super grateful, and it also helped to build stronger relationships in our team.

I was working at a restaurant when I noticed one of my coworkers struggled to complete her tasks. I offered to help her and ended up doing most of the work, but I didn't mind because I could tell she wasn't feeling well and wanted to help her. 

Share with me a time when you learned something new from a coworker or supervisor.

This question assesses your ability to take feedback and learn from others.

My previous supervisor was very passionate about her work, and she taught me a lot about the importance of paying attention to details. I was able to take her feedback and use it often ever since. It made me realize that being attentive to small details can make a big difference for customers. 

Where do you see yourself in two years?

This question assesses your long-term goals and ambitions and whether they align with staying at the company long-term.

I see myself continuing to grow with an ambitious company such as Panda Express and eventually taking on more responsibilities. I would also like to continue learning new things to improve my skills and be an asset to the company. 

What do you know about Panda Express?

I know that Panda Express is a family-owned fast-casual restaurant chain that specializes in Chinese-American cuisine. The company was founded in 1983 in Glendale, California, and has over 2000 locations worldwide. 

Why are you interested in working for Panda Express?

I am interested in working for Panda Express because I love Asian cuisine, and I think working in a fast-paced environment would be a lot of fun. I also appreciate that Panda Express is a family-owned company. 

Subway Company Culture

Subway was founded by 17-year-old Fred Deluca, who borrowed an initial investment of $1000 from a family friend Peter Buck, in 1965 to set up the first sandwich shop in Bridgeport, Connecticut. What started as a small sandwich shop gradually became one of the world's largest franchise companies worldwide. Today, Subway has over 37,000 locations in more than 100 countries.

Subway's culture is built on the foundation of encouraging employees to be bold in their pursuits. In addition, they value diversity, inclusion and a fun working environment.

Subway's goal is to provide its customers with fresh, flavorsome affordable sandwiches in a clean and friendly environment.

Subway sample interview questions and answers

Subway Interview Questions

Subway has its criteria for recruiting, and questions revolve around:

  • Ability to cope with pressure
  • Cleanliness and food hygiene 
  • Good social skills with customers and other Subway team members
  • Good time management
  • Tolerance

What hours can you work?

Show that you're committed and flexible. If you mention evenings and weekend availability, it'll significantly increase your chances of getting hired. If you have other commitments, you'll be better off talking about how you can manage both jobs rather than focusing on how big of a problem it would be.

I'd prefer to work Monday to Friday, but I can be flexible with my availability. Currently, I have no other job-related commitments. 

What would you bring to the team?

Focus on qualities that are relevant to the position.

I could bring my positive attitude, strong work ethic, and excellent customer service skills to the table. I am also a quick learner and a good team player.

Why do you want to work at Subway?

I'd love to work at Subway because I'm very good with customers. In addition, I think Subway offers fantastic career development opportunities for someone at my stage in life.

What do you know about Subway?

Show that you researched the company.

Subway was founded in 1965 in Connecticut. Most of the Subway stores are privately owned. The company is trying to position itself as a leader in the sandwich industry. 

What does the term 'sandwich artist' mean to you?

As far as I know, the 'sandwich artist' is responsible for greeting and serving guests, making sandwiches according to the customer's specifications, maintaining food safety and sanitation standards, and handling or processing light paperwork. Exceptional customer service is the main component of this position. 

What prior job experiences do you have?

I have worked as a cashier for two years, and I have also had experience taking orders.

Once you're hired, you receive login details for Subway university to learn about specifics of the job, such as bread cutting, sandwich making, customer service and interaction, cleaning, etc.

What to Ask At the End of Your Interview

Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in  your life coaching quote Confucius

That sums up some common interview questions you may be asked for various fast food jobs.

Towards the end of the interview process, interviewers often ask if you have any questions for them. It's important to have some questions prepared to show your level of interest and commitment to the job.

You could ask questions such as:

What does a typical day at work look like?

What can a new hiree do to prepare for the first day at (insert company)?

Why do you like to work at (insert company)?

******

Good luck with your interview. Go get that job!

Check out some more great interview tips

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Interview Do's and Don'ts with sample questions and answers

INTERVEW FASHION

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Got a bartending interview? Get fashion tips from a career coach

OTHE TIPS

Learn how to avoid these 10 job search mistakes


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