TDA:
What’s the most popular item on the menu?
EH:
Blizzards. It’s become Dairy Queen’s trademark product since
it was introduced in 1985. We also do very well in food. In
fact, among DQs in the Southwest we’re usually number one or
two in food sales every month. It helps that there are no other
fast food restaurants in the area.
TDA:
What’s your favorite item and how often do you eat it?
EH:
Grilled chicken sandwich. I eat one nearly every day I’m working.
I’m not much of a sweets eater, so it’s not often that I eat
ice cream. It’s nice that we get free food on our breaks.
TDA:
How long have you worked at DQ?
EH:
I have worked here nine years, starting when I was in high school
at Cactus Shadows. It’s the only job I’ve ever had.
TDA:
What’s the best part of your job?
EH:
Making people happy with good ice cream. They always smile when
we bring them their orders. It’s really enjoyable to see the
reaction of the young children–they get sooooo excited.
TDA:
What’s the part you like the least?
EH:
Finding and keeping good employees. It’s hard to find people
in this area because a lot of kids don’t have to work. We hire
mostly high school students, and sometimes they decide they
want to go to the mall rather than come to work. We also lose
them when they go on to college. We also have a few adults who
work here.
TDA:
How many customers do you serve a day?
EH:
The store serves about 300‑500 customers a day. We’re
busiest on the weekends when people are off work. During the
week, our busiest times are lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and
for dessert from about 7 to 9 pm. Our busiest season is January
through April, when the weather is nice and the snowbirds are
here.
TDA:
What should someone coming to work for Dairy Queen know about
the job?
EH:
That the job is fun, but it’s harder work than some people might
think. It is also very satisfying when you make people happy
with food and ice cream. Without us, some people
wouldn’t get to enjoy one of the little fun things in
life.
TDA:
What are your future plans?
EH:
In October, I’m getting married to our other manager, John,
who is also the son of the owners–Jim and Linda Thompson. If
we can get away for a week and a half we plan to honeymoon in
California.
Reach
the reporter at barry@thedesertadvocate.com.
