Sheetz

This store opened less than a week ago and they are clearly going through start-up problems. While the location is gorgeous and squeaky clean, all the employees appear to be new and still learning how to use the equipment and the processes.

The layout of this Sheetz's interior is also different than any other one I visited. It took me a bit to realize that the food counter is off to the left of the store. The coffee counter was in the center, and the convenience store was the main part on the right with the cash registers. The touch screen kiosks where you order you food are between the coffee and food counters, but closer to the coffee area so you are kind of drawn to wait there, which is confusing.

In any case, the sequence is still the same, you use the kiosk to put in your order, pay at the cash register and wait.

I noticed that every employee at the cash registers appeared to be new as they were constantly asking one another how to enter this or that information in to their registers... this resulted in a bit of a delay in paying. Not a big delay, but certainly noticeable...

Then, I went and waited (by the coffee counter, naturally, since that was where the ordering kiosks were!), until I realized that the two employees there were only making drinks. Hmm.... Looking around I saw that, off to my left, was a food counter... So, I mosied on there and watched as three employees were working the on making the various orders.

There were two people in front of me. I waited for 10 minutes for their three sandwiches and sides to be made. This is slow -- very slow -- for a Sheetz. The problem appeared to be that the employees involved were not sure where all the materials needed where and were constantly searching for stuff. One of them was constantly running to the back of the store and coming back with this or that item, only to repeat the process five seconds later, when she realized that she needed one other item.

Finally, I got my sandwich and went outside to eat it. As you can see from the attached picture, they managed to overtoast it. The interior was charred much more heavily.

This is a Sheetz. I really like the chain and what they offer. This location is probably just suffering from startup problems, but I would stay away from it for a month or two to let them work out the kinks. I certainly will.

I love Sheetz and probably wouldn't ever give them a score of less than three....it's always good to see a new one in the neighborhoods where I spend time. That said, please improve your training for more speedy fulfillment of takeout orders, more attention paid to appearance and tidiness! I know Sheetz is in Altoona but your local store represent the neighborhood it is in as well and perception is reality! Hope you're able to address it soon, and I will be back.