Meet Michael: The Publix Cashier Customers Happily Wait 40 Minutes For

February 14, 2026

At a Publix in Acworth, Georgia, shoppers aren’t always looking for the shortest line.

They’re looking for Michael.

Michael Masterangelo / 11Alive News

Customers will gladly wait 30 to 40 minutes just to check out in Michael Masterangelo’s lane. According to his mom, Dayna Peshel, “They will come here specifically just to get in his line… It means everything. I am so proud of him.”

Michael, who has an intellectual disability, has worked at the same Publix for 10 years. And in that decade, he’s turned a regular checkout lane into something much more.

“I like ringing people up and seeing people every day!” Michael said. “I’m just so happy to be here, every day to work.”

As soon as some shoppers walk through the doors, they scan the lanes — not for speed, but for a smile.

“As soon as I walk in the door, I look for him,” one customer shared. “And if he’s here, it just changes everything.”

Store Manager Courtney McGuinness says you can’t train what Michael brings to the store each day.

“His positivity that he comes in every day with, it makes working and shopping here enjoyable,” she said. “He’s always smiling. He’s always interacting.”

But Michael isn’t just brightening people’s days. He’s also making a major impact.

He has been part of Special Olympics since he was 7 or 8 years old, and this year, he set a personal fundraising goal right at his register. Between scanning groceries and counting change, he invited customers to donate.

Then he did something remarkable.

“I can’t believe I did $31,603 by myself, at my register!” Michael said. “My personal goal is crazy! And I did that in 6 days!”

In less than a week, he raised more than $31,000 — more than some districts in the region, according to McGuinness.

Customers weren’t just giving money — they were showing up for him.

“He’s my buddy!” one shopper said. “He is one of the few people I trust!”

McGuinness says what makes Michael special is simple and powerful: he genuinely cares.

“Him being so genuine, he truly cares about every single person he comes in contact with,” she said. “Whether it’s a child, it’s an adult… he genuinely cares about everyone.”

And that care goes both ways. Customers attend his basketball games and cheer him on from the stands.

“They make me so happy and cheer me on and stuff!” Michael said. “Next coming weekend, they’re coming to watch me play basketball!”

For his mom, seeing the community rally around her son is overwhelming in the best way.

“It makes me feel amazing,” Peshel said. “I feel like I raised him right, and he is just a light to everyone… I don’t worry about him. I know he is going to be okay. Because he has so much love with family, friends, and community.”

Michael says he feels that love every day.

“It feels like I am so special, helping people and others,” he said. “And I love this whole community, and everyone loves and supports me!”

Meet Michael in the video below: