"Wonderful! Wonderful!"

My General Manager has coined this term to express her joy over even the smallest successes at our local store. I have been working as a shift manager at Noodles and Co. for about 3 months now and I'm finding how important it is to celebrate those successes as much as you can.

It's true, the restaurant industry is tough.

Between quarterly goals, daily inventory, consumer feedback, and providing great tasting food with a speedy delivery and a meaningful "Have a great day" there is alot to keep up with. All the numbers, percentages, and delivery times can get overwhelming. But then there are moments that remind you why all the numbers and calculations are worth it.

Like when a man with a snowy white beard and rosy cheeks walks in wearing a familiar red and white Christmas hat. He orders a warm bowl of Noodles To Go and when you asks for his name, he politely responds, "Santa Claus." Then the beautiful moment about four minutes later when his food is ready and you call out his name and every child in the place turns to see him and lights up with an expression that says "It really is him!"

I loved that moment. These times for me are when the restaurant really start to take on a culture and experience that is more than just a motto on a paper. It's when the "culture of service" that many restaurants talk about, starts to become a reality.

It's like that moment in It's a Wonderful Life (spoiler alert) when George, who has been working day in and day out in his financial loan job, remember why he does it. That moment when he looks at the richest man in the county square in the eyes and refuses a luxury job for the sake of helping people in his community keep their homes. And the moment he runs through the streets declaring his love for every mundane object in Bedford Falls. There is something about serving others that can put joy back into what could be a daily grind. And something about remembering how taking advantage of an opportunity can make someones day.

A little while after Santa came in. A little girl who was probably about 7 years old, swung open the door and skipped up to the counter. She gave a big smile as her mom gently nudged her to give her the "Go ahead."

"I would like a small mac and cheese with parmesan chicken, extra cheddar, a ciabatta roll and a small fountain drink To Go please," she said so quickly and confidently that I couldn't help but smile back.

I looked to her mother to verify the order and as I asked for a name, the girl quickly responded, "Kennedy!" I loved that her mom gave her the opportunity to order and complimented her excitement. A few second later, after the girl had filled her drink she came back to the counter and asked, "Actually, can you call me President Kennedy?" before she started giggling. "Of course!" I replied. As soon as her order was ready a few of the cashiers joined me to hand out her order. "President Kennedy!" I exclaimed as we all saluted the young president and thanked her for taking the time out of her presidential schedule to visit Noodles. I don't know who left the interaction happier, my coworkers and I or the youngest president ever.

The joy of serving isn't reserved for just kids. Those "Wonderful! Wonderful!" life moments happen constantly when a guest is surprised with a free Rice Krispy treat and they have the same twinkle as a kid might had when the receive the same. Or when a Julie walks up to the counter and you share the excitement of having the same name. It creates an atmosphere or bond that breaks down the barrier of customer and merchant and replaces it with a camaraderie. Even if it is a short interaction, it means so much more than giving a half hearted, "Have a good day" and handing someone their To Go bag in a hurry to rush back to the expo line only to repeat the same motion 60 times.

Another opportunity I am given at work is to make connections with other businesses located in the neighborhood around our store. I get to offer meals a few times a week to workers in the area and this night I called up UFC gym down the street. Another Noodles manager noticed that one of the managers from the gym often comes in to Noodles to share a meal with his family quite often, so when I called the gym to offer a meal to a few of their members they were ecstatic about the opportunity. It was so sweet to greet the "UFC fighters" as they came in. Most of them were middle-aged moms and dads, tired from a long day then a hard work out. They were so grateful and excited about the meals even offered to have the Noodles crew over for a work out. There was a jittery, excited feeling that the cashiers had as they rang up orders and exclaimed, "And it's free!"

I don't think I can express it enough. It is so important to hold onto these moments, not only in the tough restaurant business, but in life in general. The sprinkles of sweet moments can inspire us through the rough times.

There is another phrase I've heard before. "We don't serve food, we serve people." And really I am finding more and more that as the latter part of that quote takes the greatest importance, serving anything else can be a great experience.