PULLMAN, Wash.–Three area restaurants have earned recognition as the “friendliest” by a class of juniors and seniors in Washington State University’s Hotel and Restaurant Administration Program.
The top three restaurants, in terms of quality, friendliness and customer service are, in alphabetical order, Arby’s of Pullman, Basilio’s and Godfather’s of Pullman. Godfather’s, under the management of John Little, and Arby’s, managed by Ellie Eng, have won the distinction for seven years in a row.
Named most hospitable employees were Marcy Dunn, Godfather’s of Pullman, and Josh Akerman-Tilbury of Moscow’s Baskin and Robbins.
In the past few weeks, HRA students have gone in pairs as “secret shoppers,” three times each to 14 eateries, and evaluated the quality of food, facilities, cleanliness and service. The students acted out scenarios like making an unreasonable request, complaining to management, and being an “unfriendly” guest to gauge the restaurant’s response.
This in the 11th time in 12 years that these evaluations have given tests and honors to area restaurants, looking for the best of the best. The students are members of a class taught by WSU faculty member Don I. Smith, who now lives in Houston, Texas. He comes back to Pullman to conduct the favorite HRA course. Only three weeks long, Hospitality 382: Chain Restaurant Management was held daily from 6:59-10 a.m.
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