You got this! It’s not weird to feel like that at first. I felt that way when I first started. Keep going, you are going to be proud of yourself for working through times that make you feel uncomfortable and defeated. Keep a smile on and ask many questions!

Some tips from my experiences on Drive.

Make sure you pace the customer if you need to.

For example, instead of starting with “What can i get for you?” Or something to that effect, say “what drink can I get started for you”, then repeat it back as best you can after the first drink, even if you feel like you’re interrupting them. They will be sure to correct you if you get anything wrong.

Then ask “can I get you anything else to drink?” And repeat it back to them. At times, I would even repeat their drink back to them as they were saying it:

C:“I’ll have a venti vanilla”

me: “Venti vanilla”

C: “latte with whole milk”

me: “with whole milk”

C:“three shots”

Me: “with three shots. So that’s a Triple Venti whole milk vanilla latte?”

Then after they say no to more drinks say: “what am I getting you for breakfast?”

Slow the conversation down. You’re new, we all expect you to take a little longer than everyone else. I hope they don’t have you on drive during a rush, yet so there should be a little more grace for you.

I hope that helps!

Don’t beat yourself up. This job is so overwhelming at first and especially right now the drive thru lines are just beyond crazy. Just breathe and remind yourself it all ends eventually and you’ll get to go home. More often than not customers will be understanding but obviously we can’t please them all. There’s so much to learn and no one expects you to pick it all up on the spot. You got this!

Hey! I started working about four weeks ago, and I totally understand you. Don't give up, and keep it up. Don't be afraid to ask the customer to speak slower or repeat themselves. Also, I've found if you let them know that you're newer at this, most people will be so much more patient with you. Keep up the work! Don't give up. I promise, it'll get better.

I wish you the best of luck!

Recent rehire here. 186*****
When I first started I was sweating bullets trying to keep up with everyone. Even after leaving the company for a couple of years and coming back, it takes practice, genuinely. You’re gonna catch on, you just gotta find your own rhythm in things. How you cadence your own tasks such as bar, DTR, DTO, etc. you’ll catch on. Try to enjoy it, get in real good with a few customers and you’ll have something to look forward to. Seriously, I came back because this job is some of the easiest, and if you have the right coworkers, one of the most fun jobs to have once you get it down.

You will get it!! I’m a 4 year partner and still have issues when they rattle their order off like super fast, just be like ok give me one minute while I get this entered in to the system. My fave is when it’s super customized and they just say it. Just have confidence and you will do fine!!!!

It’s week one, you can’t expect to be perfect yet! Especially with all that’s going on right now.

I felt like that at first too, but only a month or so later I'm really good at it, and I'm sure you'll get there too! my favorite trick is to start repeating the drink back at them; it buys you time to enter it in and helps you make sure you have it right. also it stops them from barreling on ahead with their whole order all at once! and read it back to them before you send it through, sometimes you'll catch your mistakes or sometimes they'll correct you, but either way it gets you to the right place. best of luck, you can do it!

UPDATE!

First off thank all of you kind humans for the sweet and encouraging words! Also, I went back for my last day of training I did much better I got more comfortable repeating the orders as customers were speaking and multitasking while doing so. I think I’m going to be just fine! First shift on my own is Sunday I’m nervous but ready :)

it’s gonna get better!! it’s so hard at first, especially right now with this virus going around and everyone being crazy. my first week i actually thought about quitting, but now 9 months into it i love it! it will get easier, it’s a hard job but it will all be okay and you are amazing!

It also does wonders with the customers if you get frustrated or overwhelmed to kind of laugh and say “Sorry I’m new — can you please repeat the more slowly?”
When I was a trainer at a DT store I had my green beans use that line when they needed a second to catch up!

It will get easier. Don't be afraid to slow customers down, ask for as much clarification as you need to send the correct order through (i.e., "Did you say cappuccino or Frappucino?", "Would you like that hot or iced, today?" "Do you still want whipped cream on that \[non-dairy drink\]?" "Does everything look right to you on the screen?") or even tell them you're new at this and hunting for the right buttons. Most people are understanding. The ones who aren't are liable to hear from a senior barista or SSV, if they get too comfortable being rude to you. There is so much to learn, so many options... It takes time.

Give yourself a break. Try to make it entertaining, when you can. It's just coffee. You've got this!