A. What do you know about McDonald’s restaurants? Have you got any in your town? Read the article and say what duties the senior manager of one of McDonald’s restaurants Vanessa Stein has.

One day in my life

Early morning is always hard for me. I get up at 6.30 a.m., then I make up a list of things I have to do during the day. I live by lists – it is the best way to keep things organized.

I have been the owner of the restaurant since 1995. We have to conform to the McDonald’s standards (quality, service, cleanliness and value) of course. We employ 75 people and take care of all of them.

By 9.30 a.m. I am ready for a Bacon &Egg McMuffin and a cup of tea. I have a quick chat with our regular breakfast customers before opening the post. It includes marketing and training information from McDonald’s (they run the training courses but we pay for our staff to attend), bookings for parties, or perhaps the monthly report from “the Mystery Diner”.

Mystery Diners control every restaurant in the country. All aspects are covered – food quality and presentation, atmosphere, quality and speed of service, restaurant cleanliness and so on. I pass the news on to the staff and make sure any problems are dealt with.

Much of my morning spent updating computer records. Tax office queries, training records, payroll etc have to be organized. The lunchtime starts around noon. When we have problems with the staff I serve customers. One has to be flexible and it’s important to focus your energies where they are most effective.

At three o’clock I go to school to collect my two sons so I generally end up taking work home. If I have to prepare end-of-month reports I work until late at night. Otherwise I’m in bed any time after 10 p.m. However I find time for reading books and listening to music.

B. Say if these sentences are true or false.

1. Vanessa Stein never plans anything.

2. She has been managing the restaurant since 1995.

3. McDonald’s has very high standards.

4. Stein employs over 100 people.

5. Stein checks the post twice a week.

6. Mystery Diners are people who control every McDonald’s restaurant.

7. Vanessa never serves customers.

8. Despite her duties at work she finds time for reading and listening.