What issue can arise from having empty baskets on the fry station?

When there are empty baskets on the fry station, a bottleneck can occur because it creates a disruption in the flow of operations. In a fast-paced environment like Five Guys, timing and efficiency are crucial. If fry baskets are empty, staff may not be able to cook fries quickly or at the necessary volume to meet customer demand, leading to slower service and potentially longer wait times for customers. This can affect the overall efficiency of the kitchen, as employees may be unable to fill orders promptly, causing a chain reaction of delays throughout the food preparation process.

While other issues like spillage, delay, or overheating could also arise under different circumstances, the primary concern with empty fry baskets is the bottleneck it creates in the workflow. This situation underscores the importance of maintaining sufficient inventory and ensuring that all equipment is ready for continuous operation to provide quick and efficient service.