In the 1960s, fast-food chains began to adopt more standardized approaches to their operations, including the appearance and attire of their employees. Instructional photos and manuals from this era would often feature guidelines on how to “dress for success” in the fast-food industry.
These images from the Chattanooga History Center were produced as training materials for new hires at Krystal restaurants, a fast-food franchise founded in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1932. With a menu centering around the bite-sized Krystal burger, the restaurant aimed to provide fast and courteous service to customers in a hurry.
The brochure and orientational training film contained instructions such as:
- “Keep your teeth clean and white. Anybody can have a pretty smile. Naturally, you don’t want to get too familiar with the customers, just be really pleasant and friendly. Let your personality show through.”
- “The customers aren’t interested in your private jokes. That kind of horseplay just won’t go.”
- “Keep your fingers off the food and don’t put the butter on top of the waffle.”
Along with an orientational training film, these photos were shot as examples for employees of how and how not to present themselves behind the counter.
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