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The fast life

Millions enter the workforce through fast food. Are they well-served?

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A lighted arch, over the drive-through window at a McDonald's in Woodbridge, is the ubiquitous sign of the nation's second-largest employer. McDonald's employs 700,000 people.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Raul Reyes, the general manager at the McDonald's at 2 I St. SE, checks the security camera live feed from his home with 2-year-old son Brian in his lap. Reyes became the general manager at his store in 2004 and has 82 people on staff.

Raul Reyes, the general manager at the McDonald's at 2 I St. SE, checks the security camera live feed from his home with 2-year-old son Brian in his lap. Reyes became the general manager at his store in 2004 and has 82 people on staff.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Zonia Reyes, the wife of Raul Reyes, prepares Salvadoran pupusas in their Petworth home. She works at a different McDonald's restaurant and, when he won a Ray Kroc Award that included a trip to Chicago in 2009, she couldn't go. She couldn't get the time off.

Zonia Reyes, the wife of Raul Reyes, prepares Salvadoran pupusas in their Petworth home. She works at a different McDonald's restaurant and, when he won a Ray Kroc Award that included a trip to Chicago in 2009, she couldn't go. She couldn't get the time off.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Reyes and Lidilla Lopez check on all the machines and the general status of the store. Reyes, 35, immigrated to the United States from Guatemala; 80 percent of his staffers are from Guatemala, Honduras or El Salvador.

Reyes and Lidilla Lopez check on all the machines and the general status of the store. Reyes, 35, immigrated to the United States from Guatemala; 80 percent of his staffers are from Guatemala, Honduras or El Salvador.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Marvin Mateos, in blue, works the drive-through window with manager Luis Alvarado. Mateos, who has been at 2 I St. SE for three years, is the fastest worker there, Reyes says.

Marvin Mateos, in blue, works the drive-through window with manager Luis Alvarado. Mateos, who has been at 2 I St. SE for three years, is the fastest worker there, Reyes says.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Franklyn Molina takes orders in person at the drive-through. Summer is the busiest season for the McDonald's near Nationals Park.

Franklyn Molina takes orders in person at the drive-through. Summer is the busiest season for the McDonald's near Nationals Park.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

During the summer, Marvin Mateos began studying to become a kitchen staff trainer. Among the questions on the multiple-choice Spanish-language quiz: How many french fries were sold in 2007? (Answer: 5.4 billion.)

During the summer, Marvin Mateos began studying to become a kitchen staff trainer. Among the questions on the multiple-choice Spanish-language quiz: How many french fries were sold in 2007? (Answer: 5.4 billion.)

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Milagros Portillo checks an order on the screen before finishing it.

Milagros Portillo checks an order on the screen before finishing it.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

During the lunch rush, co-workers scurry about. If they fill orders more slowly than they did last year, for example, general manager Reyes lets them know. Pictured are Franklyn Molina, at left in profile; Glenda Palucho, with tray; manager Luis Alvarado, with cup; and Ricardo Hernandez, at right.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Glenda Palucho serves an order.

Glenda Palucho serves an order.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Yonatan Zenebe, 17, waits for the next customer.

Yonatan Zenebe, 17, waits for the next customer.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Reyes checks the status of an order. He works 45 hours a week, but his job is really 24-7. Both Starbucks and KFC have tried to lure him away from McDonald's.

Reyes checks the status of an order. He works 45 hours a week, but his job is really 24-7. Both Starbucks and KFC have tried to lure him away from McDonald's.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Marjorie Hernandez looks at the order screen to see what she should prepare next in the kitchen.

Marjorie Hernandez looks at the order screen to see what she should prepare next in the kitchen.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Marvin Mateos has turned a task known as HBO (Hand Bag Out) into theater. Often, he has the food order filled and is holding the bag out of the drive-through window before the car pulls up.

Marvin Mateos has turned a task known as HBO (Hand Bag Out) into theater. Often, he has the food order filled and is holding the bag out of the drive-through window before the car pulls up.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Jose Reyes mops the drive-through while Marvin Mateos gets an order ready.

Jose Reyes mops the drive-through while Marvin Mateos gets an order ready.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Maria Ortiz, here getting fries ready for an order, pays a babysitter $20 for each eight-hour shift she works here.

Maria Ortiz, here getting fries ready for an order, pays a babysitter $20 for each eight-hour shift she works here.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Charts instruct employees how to construct McDonald's sandwiches.

Charts instruct employees how to construct McDonald's sandwiches.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Marjorie Hernandez squeezes condiments onto hamburger buns.

Marjorie Hernandez squeezes condiments onto hamburger buns.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Saunder Field rides his bike home after his shift. He has worked at 2 I St. SE since before the birth of his daughter, whom he says is now a student at Louisiana State University.

Saunder Field rides his bike home after his shift. He has worked at 2 I St. SE since before the birth of his daughter, whom he says is now a student at Louisiana State University.

Hector Emanuel / For The Washington Post

Reyes, the general manager of the McDonald's on 2 I St. SE, says: 'When I walk in here, I can do whatever I want. It's like home.'

Reyes, the general manager of the McDonald's on 2 I St. SE, says: "When I walk in here, I can do whatever I want. It's like home."

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

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