Train or Upgrade
Both training and truck upgrades cost money and take time. This guide helps you decide which investment gives you better returns at each stage of the game.
The Priority Order
Staff training is usually the better investment because:
- Training improves both quality AND speed — a double benefit from a single investment
- Training is permanent — the employee keeps the level forever (unless morale drops)
- Quality is capped by training level — expensive ingredients are wasted on untrained staff
- Each level is a guaranteed +10 points to both quality and speed
- Early levels give the highest percentage improvement per dollar spent
The Training System
Every employee starts at Level 0 (40 points for both quality and speed). Each training level adds 10 points.
| Level | Points | Improvement from Previous | Percentage Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 (Untrained) | 40 | — | — |
| 1 (Burger Boss) | 50 | +10 | +25% |
| 2 (Grill Sergeant) | 60 | +10 | +20% |
| 3 (Sauce Artist) | 70 | +10 | +17% |
| 4 (Kitchen Commander) | 80 | +10 | +14% |
| 5 (Culinary Captain) | 90 | +10 | +13% |
| 6 (Michelin Maestro) | 100 | +10 | +11% |
Notice the pattern: the same +10 points gives a smaller percentage improvement at each level. Level 0 to 1 is a 25% jump. Level 5 to 6 is only 11%. This means early training levels have the best return on investment.
When Training Wins
| Situation | Action | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Staff at Level 0-2 | Train immediately | Biggest quality and speed gains per dollar — 25% improvement at Level 1 |
| Using premium ingredients with low-level staff | Train first | Quality is capped at 40-60 points regardless of how good your ingredients are |
| Long customer queues | Train for speed | Each level adds 10 speed points, reducing wait times and preventing walkways |
| Low satisfaction scores | Train for quality | Higher food quality means happier customers and better reputation |
| Staff morale is high and stable | Train now | High morale means your training investment is protected — no performance drops |
| You just hired a new employee | Train to Level 2-3 fast | Get them productive quickly — untrained staff drag down your whole operation |
When a Truck Upgrade Wins
| Situation | Action | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Staff at Level 4+ but cannot reach premium segments | Upgrade truck | Maxi Burger Wagon unlocks Influencers and Environmentalists, Mini Burger Trailer unlocks Foodies |
| Constantly running out of ingredients | Bigger truck | Storage ranges from ~8 (Startup Burger Bike) to ~64 (Giant Burger) — stockouts kill revenue |
| Need access to a new district's segments | Upgrade truck | Some segments only appear for certain truck types |
| Staff already at Level 5-6 | Upgrade truck or ingredients | Training returns are diminishing at the top — shift investment to equipment |
| You want to add a second employee | Upgrade to Happy Big Burger+ | Happy Big Burger and Giant Burger support 2 employees — doubles your capacity |
Business Unit Progression
Understanding what each truck offers helps you time your upgrades.
| Business Unit | Employees | Storage | Segments Unlocked | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Startup Burger Bike | 1 | ~8 | Base segments | Learning the game, University Area |
| Maxi Burger Wagon | 1 | Larger | Influencers, Environmentalists | Shopping Centre, Residential moves |
| Mini Burger Trailer | 1 | Medium | Foodies | Tourist Zone entry |
| Burger Master | 1 | Medium-Large | — | Capacity improvement |
| Happy Big Burger | 2 | Large | — | First 2-employee operation |
| Giant Burger | 2 | ~64 | All segments | Maximum capacity endgame truck |
The Ideal Progression
Here is the recommended investment order for most games:
Stage 1 — Foundation (Early Game)
- Train your starting staff to Level 2-3. This is cheap and gives you the highest percentage improvement. A Level 3 employee operates at 70 points — 75% better than an untrained one at 40 points.
Stage 2 — First Upgrade (Mid Game)
- Upgrade your truck to match your target segment. If you want Foodies, get the Mini Burger Trailer. If you want Influencers, get the Maxi Burger Wagon.
- Relocate to the district where your target segments are.
Stage 3 — Quality Push (Mid-Late Game)
- Train to Level 4-5. Your staff can now deliver the quality that premium customers demand.
- Upgrade to premium ingredients. Staff at Level 4+ can actually use them — the training ceiling no longer wastes your ingredient investment.
Stage 4 — Mastery (Late Game)
- Train to Level 6 (Michelin Maestro) for maximum quality and speed — if the employee's potential allows it.
- Upgrade to the biggest truck you can afford for maximum storage and capacity.
- Consider a second location with a Happy Big Burger or Giant Burger (2 employees).
The Training Ceiling Explained
This is the single most important concept for deciding between training and ingredients:
It does not matter if you buy the finest ingredients available. An untrained Level 0 employee can only produce 40-point quality food. A Level 3 employee caps at 70 points. Only a Level 6 Michelin Maestro can reach 100 points. Always train your staff before investing in expensive ingredients.
Here is what happens when you get the order wrong:
| Staff Level | Ingredient Quality | Actual Food Quality | Money Wasted? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (50 pts) | Premium (would allow 90+ pts) | 50 points | Yes — premium ingredients capped by low training |
| Level 4 (80 pts) | Basic (would allow 60 pts) | 60 points | No waste, but ceiling is the ingredient now |
| Level 4 (80 pts) | Premium (would allow 90+ pts) | 80 points | Slight waste — training is now the cap |
| Level 6 (100 pts) | Premium (would allow 90+ pts) | 90+ points | No waste — everything aligned |
The takeaway: train first, upgrade ingredients second. Match your ingredient spending to your staff's ability to use them.
Hiring Considerations
Before investing heavily in training, check your employee's maximum training potential.
Not every employee can reach Level 6. When hiring, check the candidate's maximum training level. If an employee caps at Level 3, do not waste money trying to train them further — they cannot go higher. Hire employees with Level 5-6 potential for your long-term premium locations.
- For your University Area truck: A Level 3-cap employee is fine — Students do not need Michelin Maestro quality
- For your Business District truck: Hire someone with Level 5-6 potential — Managers demand the best
- Budget employees: Cheaper to hire, but lower training ceilings limit your long-term revenue
Quick Decision Flowchart
Ask these questions in order:
- Are any staff below Level 3? Yes: train them. The ROI is unbeatable.
- Are you locked out of customer segments you want? Yes: upgrade your truck to unlock them.
- Are staff at Level 3-4 but you use basic ingredients? Upgrade ingredients — your staff can now use better ones.
- Are staff at Level 4+ and ingredients are premium? Train to Level 5-6 for the final quality push.
- Is storage capacity limiting your sales? Upgrade to a bigger truck.
- Everything above is covered? Consider a second truck and location.