Pros
The coffee is really good, and the best part of the job is the people you get to work with. It is the only saving grace you'll experience working for Birch. Also, the pay is actually pretty good for what it is. Your base pay is pretty good (or can be), but the tips really drive your paycheck upwards. I’ve found this job pays better than any other coffee shop. If they like you, and you work hard, there is a chance to learn a lot (at least there used to be).
Cons
This is the best place to work for anyone who loves a diminishing mental state. This job will be the best option to absolutely annihilate your mental health. They do not, and will not, care about you. But, the best part is, they will gaslight you into believing they do. They have a great habit of liking to play therapist if you are having a hard time, but god forbid you need to step away form work to deal with something - they will hold it against you. The expectations set are unrealistic and extremely high, and you will not meet them. No matter how hard you work, you will only be criticized for what you did not do. There are two owners, one who is empathetic and kind and the other who is a complete toxic narcissist. All they care about is turning over a profit, yet there continues to be only bad business decisions made. I beg you, no matter how badly you need a job, keep looking. The first six months of employment are strict and if you want to change any availability or have to take time off, you won't. The higher level managers will be your warden. The hours are awful, if you work you only work an 8 hour shift - which is really a 9 hour shift. And, the largest part of your job is cleaning. And they are hellbent on it. Your entire day is spent doing cleaning tasks, many of which are really only a monthly cleaning task at best. Anything not done is met with resistance. This environment is an iron-fist driven workspace. Diversity is almost at a 0. The few POC staff are treated worse than their white counterparts. Especially if they are managers. You will not have a work/life balance, only a work life. The sad thing is, before the pandemic, this company used to be such a great place to work. No longer the case.