Chickie’s & Pete’s Bartender Danielle Dandridge recently received the “Impression Makers” award in Philadelphia International Airport’s (PHL) Employee Recognition Program. This award recognizes customer-facing employees who provide direct customer service to passengers.
As a bartender at Chickie’s & Pete’s in Terminal A-West, Dandridge opens the restaurant and inputs food and drink orders from guests. She enjoys making Bloody Mary’s, Long Island Iced Teas and Shirley Temple’s for customers.
“I see it as a passenger's first pit stop before they go to their destination,” said Dandridge. “I make sure they are pleased and are ready to get on their flight.”
Dandridge starts her day off early, working from 4 a.m. – 1 p.m., and works double shifts at times. She listens to different genres of music, including gospel, to get her moving. Once she gets in, she pours herself a glass of Sprite to start her day.
In his recommendation of Dandridge Chickie’s & Pete’s General Manager Paul Porter said, “Danielle is being nominated for her exemplary customer service skills. She has only been with Chickie's and Pete's for six months, but in that time, she has garnered positive feedback from over 50 guests and has raised the store average from 73 to 80 percent, the first time that location has seen 80 percent in over three years.”
Customer-centrism, transcending expectations, and effectiveness all describe her work ethic.
Porter continued, “Danielle always puts the customer's needs first and goes out of her way to ensure that they have the best experience possible when visiting Chickie's and Pete's. Whether engaging in conversation or playing with the kids, Danielle has consistently made a lasting impression on guests.”
Dandridge enjoys working with her colleagues. “We work well with each other,” she said. “We motivate and help each other if need be. We work hard and play hard at the same time. It’s fun when I am at work. Time goes by fast, and I don’t even want to leave sometimes.”
She enjoys watching the planes take off at the airport as she serves her customers. She also enjoys socializing with different people and hearing their interesting stories.
“They just want everything to go smoothly,” said Dandridge. “I live by the quote ‘Treat others the way you want to be treated.’ I put myself in the customer's shoes and think about how I would like to be treated.”
Dandridge enjoys meeting new people and ensuring they enjoy their experience at Chickie’s and Pete’s.
“I do anything to make my customers happy,” said Dandridge. “People remember me and come back to see me. They ask me to make their drink, and I make it just how they like it.”
The PHL Employee Recognition Program was established by the airport’s Guest Experience (GX) Department. Honorees are nominated by their peers and selected by the GX Council Steering Committee’s Employee Conduct and Recognition Committee. To nominate an employee click here. For more information about the program, click here.
