Grooming & Appearance
“Hey, I noticed one of our front counter team members is wearing a silver bracelet with a small charm. She said it’s a medical alert bracelet and doesn’t want to take it off. She’s working register but sometimes helps bag food. Is it okay for her to keep wearing it?”
Medical alert bracelets can’t be worn in food prep areas — even if decorative or small — but can be kept in a pocket. If she’s only at register and not handling food, she can wear it as long as it’s not distracting or a safety hazard.
"Good afternoon, as you are aware the local high schools prom is this Saturday. Ashley, our team member who usually works on Prep, came in today with her nails done. They aren't fake nails, but certainly painted. Can see still work her scheduled prep shift?"
Employees wearing fingernail polish must wear food service gloves when handling food.
"A BOH team member always wears a graphic Tee under his chef coat. You can see part of the T-shirt around the collar, and you can see it hanging longer than the chef coat. I feel like since he is in the kitchen it is not a problem. Thoughts?"
Undershirts should be solid white or black, with no printing, graphics, or patterns that could show through the uniform shirt or blouse.
"Hey. I'm crafting a message to the team about jackets outside, since it is starting to get cold again. As you know we only have 3 branded jackets in the store since we lost a few this past winter. Are you okay with me telling the team that they can wear their personal jackets as long as it matches our uniform colors?"
Outerwear (i.e., parkas, ski pants, and heavy coats) should be from the TeamStyle™ collection or, if the outer-most wear is safety-related, it should be approved specialty gear from Supply Central.
“Quick question — one of our new hires came in today with a small hoop nose ring. She said she’s worn it at her last job. It’s small and silver. Do we need to have her remove it?”
A single nostril piercing is permitted, but any such piercing must be limited to either a simple metal stud with no gemstone or attached decoration or a clear/flesh-toned retainer
"We have more of our Team Members growing beards during No-Shave November. Some aren't so well maintained. How should I address this with the team?"
Facial hair must be short and neatly trimmed. Long beards and mustaches are not permitted.” Short is defined as hair up to ½ inch in length
Use of Beard Nets: Employees with facial hair longer than ¼ inch must wear a beard net when in a food prep or food service role requiring gloves.
"Inc. just sent the Sunshine Days box. Inside the box was a roll of stickers for the team members that could fit perfectly on their name tags. I feel like this a great way to promote Sunshine Days. What do you think?"
The only additions to the nametag that is permitted are those available on Supply Central for additional languages or training designation. Other miscellaneous pins, buttons, stickers, and/or ribbons may not be worn on the uniform or affixed to the nametag.
"I am looking to get the team fun socks as a thank you gift. I was thinking we could get them socks that rep their favorite football team and they can wear them on Saturdays. How do you feel about this?"
Team Members must wear black, navy, or gray socks, TeamStyle™ socks, black hose, or flesh-toned hose.
“Jared from BOH just came in with his hair dyed Teal. He’s great in the kitchen, but it’s a bright color. Is that allowed if he just keeps a hat on?"
Hair must be in a naturally occurring hue (i.e., black, brown, blonde, red, gray). Hair dyed in unnatural hues (e.g., pink, purple, green, blue) is not permitted.
“An employee showed up with acrylic nails, they are clean and a nude color, should we have her just wear gloves while on fries?"
False fingernails and nail gems are not permitted.
"I was thinking about ordering branded t-shirts this summer for the team. I think it would be a great way to show appreciation and the team would love to wear that when it is so hot outside. Are you good with that?"
T-shirts may be used for one-day special events only and must be purchased through the "custom tees" section on The Mill to be reviewed by Custom Creative. T-shirts may not be used as a regular part of the Team Member uniform
"Ashley, our FOH team member, came in today with really long locs that go down past her waist. Is this okay?"
Hairstyles should be neat and professional in appearance. Distracting hair styles (e.g., Mohawks or shaven words, symbols, logos) are not permitted.
Effective hair restraints (e.g., hair accessories, hats, visors, hairnets, Chick-fil-A chef hats) must be worn to hold back any loose hair that could potentially fall into food. Hair that falls around the face must be tied back and restrained using a hair accessory that has no jeweled or beaded parts that could come loose.
"Good Morning! I just interviewed a guy who has availability to working closing shifts in the BOH, which you know we desperately need, but he has a neck tattoo. Do you want me to turn him down or move forward with hiring?"
Tattoos must not be visible on the face or neck.
Visible tattoos must not contain profanity or be racially offensive, sexually explicit, violent, vulgar, or otherwise offensive.
"I am pretty sure that Brad just bought a red Polo that looks similar to our Team Style polo, and is wearing it toady. How would you like me to handle this conversation with him?"
Required uniform items (i.e., shirts, bottoms, belts, and the outermost outerwear) must be from the TeamStyle and should be clean, wrinkle-free, and in good condition at the start of each shift
"Our new hire just came in first their first shift, but their non-slips haven't come in yet. They bought fully black shoes that match the look of ours. Is this okay or do we have to send her home?"
Slip-resistant shoes must be always worn when working inside the Restaurant.
Team Members working outside roles during their entire shift must wear slip-resistant, composite or aluminum toe shoes. Shoes may be athletic shoes (or, during cold weather, boots) that are primarily white, black, or gray.
"John got braces over the weekend. He decided to go with Gold and Purple bands to represent LSU. I think they look fun. Is that okay though?"
Orthodontic braces and bands must be neutral colors
“We have an employee with a large Pokemon forearm tattoo, that is pretty noticeable. A guest asked about it today, and I was wondering if we need to have him cover it. What are your thoughts?"
Visible tattoos must not contain profanity or be racially offensive, sexually explicit, violent, vulgar, or otherwise offensive in nature.
"Zahra, our team member in FOH, always has her shirt untucked when she is at work. I talked to her about it and she said that it is due to religious beliefs, and makes her feel more modest by covering her backside. Is this okay?"
All shirts must be tucked in, except for chef coats and maternity tops.
"I just saw a deal on Amazon for the red reflective straps for the Drive Thru. Are you good if I order 10 new ones for the team?"
Yellow, high-visibility, reflective safety wear with 360-degree coverage (e.g., drive-thru safety strap) is required for Team Members working outside the Restaurant in the drive-thru, parking lot for curbside delivery, or directing traffic.
"Janeen came in today with bright yellow head wear on. This is the first time she has worn one that doesn't really match with our polos. I know she wears them for religious purposes, but is yellow okay?"
A Team Member may be granted an accommodation to wear their own religious head coverings and/or garments. When possible, the head coverings and/or garments should be a solid color (preferably navy, gray, black, cream, or white).