A Reddit user recently shared an account of his chaotic first day working at the Costco food court, sparking a wave of online discussion. The post, titled ‘First day working at Costco food court I want to quit,’ received over 1,000 comments within days, reflecting the widespread interest in the employee’s experience.
The 21-year-old employee described his shift as overwhelming, noting that customer flow intensified throughout the day. ‘By 6 p.m. or 7 p.m., I wanted to walk out because it was nonstop hectic,’ he wrote. The constant influx of customers and the pressure of managing the food court left him feeling like ‘a zoo animal being watched by all the customers.’
One of the challenges he faced was uncertainty about his role. He mentioned that he was initially told he was a closer, but ended up doing prep work in the morning. ‘They tell me I’m a closer, yet I was doing prep stuff,’ he said. This lack of clarity added to the stress of his first day on the job.
Commenters on the forum provided a mix of support and practical advice. Many encouraged him to stick with it, assuring him that the initial chaos would subside. ‘Jobs can often be overwhelming the first few days,’ one user wrote. ‘Roll with it the best you can and by next week you’ll be a pro. You got this.’
Other commenters took a more realistic approach, suggesting that it’s acceptable to quit if the job doesn’t fit. ‘Agree – but if you hate it in 3 weeks, give your notice and find one that works,’ one person advised. ‘And some jobs aren’t for everyone,’ added another, implying that the food service industry can be a tough fit for new employees.
A commenter who claimed to have once worked as a Costco food court manager didn’t seem surprised by the situation. ‘We’d hire three [people] at a time,’ the person wrote. ‘There was always one [who] would quit by the end of the first week.’
Despite the initial challenges, the employee later reported feeling more comfortable with the role. ‘I ended up staying and feel like I’m getting better and the hang of it,’ he wrote in a follow-up comment. Although Costco has yet to respond to the post, the issue highlights the challenges new employees face in high-pressure retail environments.