Applebees and severe weather

[Doug Raflik]

Taken from the "What you have learned so far" thread cause I cant STAND when people post unrelated things in a thread.

4. The Applebees in Hays will be the only place open during a severe weather event

I work at Applebees. 2 weeks ago our county declared a STATE OF EMERGENCY for flooding. Everyone there had flooding issues at home. NO guests were coming in. Our district manager called and told us we BETTER be staying open. "We need to be the beacon in the storm." He said WE, though I know he was sitting in his EZ chair, kicked back in front of the fireplace drinking a beer. I have been there 5 years with not one bad incident on my record. I told my manager I was outta there. Tending to my flooded basement was a little more important than making Applebees International a few bucks. So if you are in an Applebees during a severe weather event, give your server a bigger than normal tip to make it worth the while for them being stuck there rather than at home with family.

Doug Raflik

[/rant]

 

[Tony Laubach]

So if you are in an Applebees during a severe weather event, give your server a bigger than normal tip to make it worth the while for them being stuck there rather than at home with family.

Our server did very well on both May 22 and May 23 for the endless list of good things they did for us and the 300 other chasers that streamed in late those nights. We were VERY appreciative.

 

[Mike Smith]

We were VERY appreciative.

Hope that means they were tipped well!

 

[John Wetter]

I was in there on the 22nd and 23rd as well. We were there before the rush on the 22nd as we had to drive as we couldn't find a room... But on the 23rd we were at the Applebee's with every other chaser as I remember seeing Tony there and several others. Every other restaurant was closed so that was really the only choice. I remember seeing more and more servers streaming in the back door as the bar and kitchen were slammed. The hostess mentioned they were open because "Hays never gets hit," which kinda scared me. Anyways, we tipped our waitress very well and ate and moved on so others could get a table as more chasers were still showing up.

-John

 

[Darrin Rasberry]

Hays' store is a good one. I had my celebration steak dinner there on the night after my first tornadoes of my chasing career. We were seated next to Chuck Doswell, and didn't know it until he introduced himself to us courteously. I saw a few other people I knew, too, and kept wondering how many others I would know if they had nametags on. I was the tall, awkward, excited, scruffy guy, and everywhere I stopped I either blabbed about my "first time" earlier that day or griped about the blister on my foot (I was limping around pretty hard by that time and got a few looks for it). For those who know Craig, I was by far the ugliest guy at his table. XD

We stayed there so long that we were expecting a bill for rent. How late does that place stay open??

 

[Adam Lucio]

My comment in the other thread wasn't an insult to you or any Applebees so relax man.

I too was at Hays, and met many familiar names there and had some brief chats. The service was good considering what they were working with and YES we did tip well.

I thought it was a pleasent experience being with so many chasers, especially big names in the field...all in one place with one thing on our minds besides weather...FOOD!

If im ever back there, I will go back...AS IT IS SOMETHING I LEARNED...Hays is a popular chaser destination. Im sorry these days one cant say something light hearted without offending someone. Was never my intention.

 

[Doug Raflik]

relax man.

Im sorry these days one cant say something light hearted without offending someone. Was never my intention.

Um... no offense taken AT ALL, and did my response sound like a snap back? I had no problem with your post. The "CANT STAND" part was directed at the people that reply in a thread, saying nothing related to the topic. For instance if I had brought up "working in Applebees during severe weather", in a thread about what you learned chasing... Has no bearing. Thats what I ment by that. My post was ripping on Applebees for being bad to its employees during times when all other places are nice enough to know when mother nature has the upper hand. Just stating that if you do take advantage of them being open, tip well as we dont want to be there.

Doug Raflik

 

[Shane Adams]

Wow. I guess we were the only chasers in Hays that night who didn't go to Applebees. I'm not much for huge crowds or waits when I wanna have a drink, so we just drove to the south side of town, found a cheapo (but clean) no-name motel, drove around the corner to buy some beer, and had our own celebration in our room. (My gf saw her first tornadoes on May 22 as well).

It's a good thing we didn't go to Applebees, because I tip like a champion anyway....and for putting up with nerdy chasers and severe wx, I would've broke the bank showing my appreciation to the staff.

 

[Tony Laubach]

Hope that means they were tipped well!

Our server did very well on both May 22 and May 23 implies very good tip!

 

[Chris Hayes]

We've been the to Applebees in Hays twice now; on May 22 last year and May 23rd last year. Hopefully be there at least once next year as well

 

[Mike Smith]

Our server did very well on both May 22 and May 23 implies very good tip!

Great.

The reason I posted was that I was recalling the thread a couple of years ago expressing surprise that I tip at Sonic! Whenever these people do a great job (i.e., staying late in severe weather, bringing food to our car in bad weather), we need to make sure we take care of them.

Happy Independence Day, everyone!!

Mike

 

[Brandon Sullivan]

We ate at an applebee's for celebration on the 24th... Good food, good service, good storms... Good Tip!

 

[John Erwin]

I guess I'll have to give Applebee's another try. I had started calling them "Crapplebee's" after a few bad experiences a long while back and had given up on them.. but perhaps they noticed this too and cleaned up their act.

 

[Adam Lucio]

Um... no offense taken AT ALL, and did my response sound like a snap back? I had no problem with your post. The "CANT STAND" part was directed at the people that reply in a thread, saying nothing related to the topic. For instance if I had brought up "working in Applebees during severe weather", in a thread about what you learned chasing... Has no bearing. Thats what I ment by that. My post was ripping on Applebees for being bad to its employees during times when all other places are nice enough to know when mother nature has the upper hand. Just stating that if you do take advantage of them being open, tip well as we dont want to be there.

Doug Raflik

but it was something I learned...I can go to Applebees in Hays, they will be open, and I can see allot of great faces as it [as well as Hays in general] is a popular chaser pit stop area.

I do see your point tho as Applebees should acknowledge the threat rather than have their employees keep working. I confused your rant about them as a rant about my post...no harm done.

We actually didn't have to wait long to get our seat that day, and the place was already mobbed. It was cool to see how people did for the day, share pics and stories.

It all gets a thumbs up!

 

[Doug Raflik]

I guess I'll have to give Applebee's another try. I had started calling them "Crapplebee's" after a few bad experiences a long while back and had given up on them.. but perhaps they noticed this too and cleaned up their act.

Doubt it. Like I said, I have been there 5 years. Its basically heat and serve food. If it wasnt for the fact that people come in and give me good money to wait on them, I wouldnt work there. Poorly run on the corperate level, and the store managers cant do a thing about it. They are puppets of people that do not know what its like. I dont even eat there with a 50% discount. I bring food from home.

Doug