When Bryan introduced Anna to the team four weeks ago, he had no idea how quickly she’d become the heart of the store.

“This is Anna! She’s been with us for a month now, and she’s already a rockstar,” he had said.

Anna worked a few days a week, mostly cleaning the lobby and chatting with customers. And she was great at it. Guests walked in, and she greeted them with a huge smile. Some even started coming in just to see her.

But today was different. Today, Bryan called her up to the front.

“You ready to take your first order?” he asked.

Anna’s eyes lit up with excitement and nerves. “Let’s do this,” she said.

With his guidance, she tapped carefully on the screen, repeating the order out loud. “That’s a roast beef combo with curly fries and a drink?” she asked, looking up for confirmation.

The customer smiled. “You got it.”

Anna took the money, counting out the change with extra focus. Her hands trembled slightly, but she was determined to get it right. Finally, she handed over the last coin and grinned.

“Nailed it!” she said proudly.

Bryan clapped her on the shoulder. “Yes, you did, Anna!”

It was more than just a successful first order—it was proof. Proof that Anna could do more than some people ever expected. While others might have only seen her Down syndrome, Arby’s had seen her.

And this? This was only the beginning.

Anna’s next shift came bright and early two days later. Usually, she would bus tables and tidy up the condiment station, humming little tunes to herself as she went. But now, having taken that one order and felt the thrill of it, she was ready for more. She hoped Bryan would let her ring up at least a few customers. She was hungry for that sense of accomplishment again.