Costco Food Court Chaos: New Hire’s First Day Nightmare Turns to Triumph

The Costco food court is a whirlwind of pizza slices, hot dogs, and relentless customer lines, and for one 21-year-old rookie, it was nearly too much to handle. On his first day, Reddit user "Ok-Development4027" faced an eight-hour gauntlet of nonstop orders, describing the chaos as feeling like a "zoo animal" under the gaze of hungry shoppers. By 6 p.m., he was ready to bolt, overwhelmed by the pace and a pizza selling every two minutes.

His orientation had been a breeze, but the real shift—from morning prep to evening close—was a rude awakening. The steady morning crowd turned into a frenzy by evening, leaving him questioning his role and his sanity. Social media lit up with over 1,000 comments, some urging him to stick it out, others saying it’s fine to walk away. One former Costco food court manager noted, dryly, that they’d hire three at a time, expecting one to quit within a week.

Yet, in a twist, the newbie didn’t give up. Days later, he shared an update: he’s getting the hang of it, finding his footing in the food court’s frenetic rhythm. It’s a small victory, but in the high-pressure world of bulk retail dining, it’s a story of grit and adaptation.