Palatine Worker's Generosity Earns Lifetime Culver's Customer

As a burger and fresh frozen custard chain celebrating 30 years in 2014, Culver's has always prided itself on delivering a "fast-casual" dining experience with exceptional, friendly service. Last month, however, one team member at the Palatine store went above and beyond to make those expectations reign true.

Kameron Hill and her family decided to visit the drive-thru for dinner May 1, but Culver's team member Michelle Gagol notified them that their debit card had expired. It was then that Hill's fiancée, Matt Cichy, realized he left the new card at home, concluding they had no other form of payment and probably would not be dining at Culver's that night.

To their surprise, Gagol took it upon herself to pay for the family's meal and provided them with their dinner.

"My jaw dropped to the floor!" wrote Hill of the gracious gesture in a two-page letter she sent the next day to Culver's owner Zach Steffens. "Because of Michelle, Culver's of Palatine has gained lifelong guests out of me and my family. It is amazing to know there are still people out there who go the extra mile for customers."

Not only did Hill and Cichy personally deliver that letter to Steffens expressing their gratitude, they also included the $20 payment they owed from their meal along with an extra $20 for Gagol's generosity.

"I could see this was a young family and didn't hesitate to offer to cover the cost of their meal," said Gagol. "In a way, it's part of the Culver's 'True Blue Crew' credo. If you don't take a chance and pay it forward, you never know what may happen as a result. In this case, we earned a lifelong family of customers."