The workers are often underpaid, at an entry-level, and likely simply don’t care for that very reason. It’s usually teenagers, and perhaps even their first job.
Pair this with the fact that turnover is high due to people screaming at the employees (which only increased during Covid) when something goes slightly wrong, along with the fact the customer almost always act like they’re better than you (the server/employee) because you’re reliant on tips.
You have to kiss butt.
The customer won’t ever stop reminding you that you’re working an entry-level job.
Giving purposefully bad service is almost a form of revenge against these people. You’re gonna make money anyway, might as well prioritize the people who actually treat you right and tip well.
Also, what are you gonna do, lol? Complain to an industry that’s already starved for workers, and try to get that person fired?
And then you’ve got an insane amount of online orders coming in you also have to balance, at least I did when I was a manager at a restaurant & cafe, which also increased massively during Covid.
Nobody wants to cook anymore, they want things easy, and often take out their anger on the employees, who are trying to get out of that situation.
It’s no surprise that nobody wants to work retail anymore.
1,000%.