Massachusetts

And has been formally recognized and rewarded for optimum customer service skills, praised by customers daily, even recieved 200 glowing survery comments in less than a year, I can tell you RIGHT NOW, that no amount of placating, comped meals, or gift card offers would've ever been enough.

I assume those are the options you're referring to, when you say "customer service" could've prevented that guy from being disgruntled.

How do you know that management didn't try those options, and he declined them? He probably demanded that they *personally* go buy a pound of butter, and keep it reserve *just for him*, comp his bagel, and give him a 50 dollar gift card. They probably couldn't do that because y'know they have RULES to follow.

What's more : this type of bend-over-backwards placating merely trains customers everywhere that belligerence & threats = reward. This phenomenon, is far more common than you may think, especially in fast food service.

Sorry, but "Most People Just Suck at their Simple Jobs, and Deserve Nothing" is a right wing meme and it really chaps my ass that it's believed even in liberal circles.