Smoothie King — Restaurant in Texas

I had the mis-fortune of visiting this location recently. I walked into this particular Smoothie King and quickly realized that I was the ONLY customer in the store, but none of the 3 workers greeted me with the usual "Welcome to smoothie king" that I get everywhere else. I tried to give them a pass and just take it as poor customer service. I walked to the register and stood with confidence so it would be clear that I was ready to make my order. Meanwhile the 3 workers behind the counter congregated away from me against the wall talking and laughing. It was 1 guy and 2 ladies. The guy made eye contact with me and quickly looked away. Still no greeting, no "we'll be right with you sir, no acknowledgement at all. Another worker walks from the back looks at me and proceeds to join the other 3 huddled up against the wall and continued talking and laughing. The guy made eye contact with me once more and looked away as if he was surprised that I was still there. At that point it was obvious that people who look like me were not welcomed. Even with a uniform polo shirt on and my work ID showing these white employees refused to serve or even acknowledge the presence of this African American customer. I took a deep breath and counted to 30 in my head and I slowly walked out the store with the workers making sure to turn their backs to me. I have been in the customer service industry professionally for 15 years and know poor customer service when I see/hear it, but I have been a black man my whole life and I know when I am not welcomed or wanted somewhere. I called smoothie king corporate and left a complaint, but no response. This store is shameful. I would never recommend this franchise! I have tried to move past this experience and focus on the pleasant experiences I've had with white employees at other Smoothie King franchises, but this was such disgusting treatment that I am probably better off just giving my money to another smoothie franchise that has zero tolerance for people who still treat people of color like it was 1959...

Yall need to have a dedicated employee JUST for the drive thru or trainings on moving drive thru customers out faster. I pulled in here at 10:13am. 2 cars were infront of me. It’s now 10:43am and I’m STILL here.

Update- I finally made it to the window at 10:37am, and 6 minutes later no one has even opened the window yet. I saw the orders of the people in front of me, they weren’t even big.

Update: 33 minutes in and I STILL don’t have my ONE smoothie and I’m STILL sitting at the window, and no one STILL hasn’t even come to the window to update me. This is crazy. I should have had time to get my kids food from Chick-fil-A directly across the street, with time to spare. But nope, still at this unattended window waiting for my one beverage that I no longer want but am too polite to just drive away for. 34 minutes in cause you’re wondering.

Update: 35 minutes in and people BEHIND me have backed out and left.

Update: Lady JUST came to the window, she’s extremely polite but SK yall need to do better by your employees cause it turns out that girl is the ONLY employee in there. 🙄 It’s Saturday morning. Why is only ONE employee here?

Update: 38 minutes later. Management needs to do better by their OVERWORKED employees and their THIRSTY customers who now have to go home and actually cook their hungry...

These are delicious smoothies and most are fairly healthy too. I’m know that they add sugar or syrup to some of the smoothies though. But they have decent options for those who have dietary restrictions. Overall, I recommend here. The wait times can be a little long if you use the drive through window. Another downside is that they do not offer military discounts which is disappointing. They made me 2 40 oz drinks (large) per my request. When I went to pay, I realized that I had intended to order mediums. They said I had to pay for the larges. Seriously?! I’ll make extra effort to convince my kids not to ask to come...