Pros
The environment is for the most part a fun, positive, friendly, family oriented place. A good first time job. Teaches a lot of good skills to kids just starting out working. Some room for advancement in the company to and extent. Good discounts and free ice cream while working. This company created a special place in my heart.
Cons
The schedules are chaotic, especially for managers. Makes getting a good nights sleep impossible due to never having your body on a consistent sleep schedule. Managers are salary and expected to work at least 45 hours a week and it is not unusual at all to work more and since it is salary there is no extra compensation for working extra hours. Late nights, either 11pm or 12am (depends on day of the week and season). That is late for anyone, but especially for those in school who have to get up early. Managers are on call 24/7. Pay is not great for any level in the company, especially compared to work load. Managers have an extremely high expectations from corporate management, which sonetimes can be nearly impossible to meet under certain circumstances. Corporate members and the Graeter's family are very nice, but often times it feels like corporate does not understand employees have lives and families outside of work and the only thing that matters is the company and making money, not the employees and their quality of life while working there. Recently several managers have left due to these reasons. Corporate fails to recognize the stress and work load of the job and the low pay. They think everything is appropriate, but are really trying to get the most labor for the cheapest price out of employees and management. It gives employees the feeling of being used unfairly.
