Yesterday, a Gawker writer posted one of Wendy’s training videos as a big find.  I definitely have seen them passed around in the past (they’ve been on YouTube for a few years), and thought I had written about it on one of the old blogs, but can’t find anything.  For those who haven’t seen them, they’re pure gold.

Of course, for anyone who’s worked for major retail operations, the training videos were a big thing in the days pre-dating online e-learning (although they still certainly pop up today).  I had to watch some pretty spectacular training videos during my time at Circuit City. But Wendy’s 80s-era videos seem to take the cake, complete with rapping, amazing effects and original music. They really have to be seen to be believed.

The twin tracks “hot drinks” and “cold drinks” cover their respective territory with a song and a rap, respectively.  Each is oddly infectious, which I guess is the point.  Entertain and train.

But perhaps the icing on the cake is how to make a burger, which features an uninterested-looking Dave Thomas, more rapping and less than appetizing looking burgers.  It’s a two-parter, so be sure to check out the other half as well: