Pros
Regional and district support are great! Lots of knowledgeable people in those positions. Lots of hands on training at other accounts during the summer months/slow periods The benefits are decent, but not great. The company seems to be culinary driven, which is great for passionate chefs. Being able to localize recipes is a huge plus for chefs that wants creative freedom The culture and values at the district and regional levels are what keeps me pushing through the mud in the hopes of getting to the district level.
Cons
Micromanaging of managers' work schedule. The general manager also schedules the supervisors for each unit since they will cry or call out if they don't get the schedule they want. The false sense of being a team. Managers are required to help out with large functions, which I am all for, but also required to close. So if you are a chef who gets in long before other managers, you are still required to go break down catering events after the kitchen has been cleaned. When a chef needs support due to being short staffed we are told to find a solution. I worked 2 days running fever and vomiting because there was no one else available to cover my unit. The clear favorites when it comes to managers or supervisors that always seem to get better schedules. Rarely closing, working far less weekends than other managers. I have had to reschedule several appointments outside of work due to the micro managing of my schedule. Also if you want a weekend off, you have to request one off and you'll be lucky to get one a month, even during the summer months when we are slow. Work-life balance is horrible. Sure you get paid holidays, but the only ones you will actually be off for are Christmas and New Year's unless you request off. I did not know this my first year here. The GM and favorites are always off on those holidays. Sure, I expect to put in some long hours here and there, but 8 straight weeks of 60+ hours and 4 of those weeks were 70+ hours. Mix in some closing at 9:30/10:00 back at 5am shifts too. It takes a toll. When you let the GM know you are starting to burn out they just say we are all burned out. All of the things I have listed speak volumes to the culture and values at the unit level. It is for this reason I can't fully recommend working at the unit level in Aramark.