We meet best friends Laz and Fred. Just out of high school and unsure what they want to do with their lives, they take jobs at a mall food court, at the lame ""Yippee, Hot Dogs"" run by Mr. Hut. There, Laz meets Lily, the girl of his dreams. Laz cuts a deal with his dad, Rick, and stepmom Michelle, that allows him to continue living rent-free at home if he keeps an eye on his stepsister (Michelle's daughter), the angst-ridden Molly. Rounding out the family is perfect, 9-year-old Gus, the product of Rick and Michelle's union and the object of their obsession.

Laz and Fred get their jobs back at ""Yippee, Hot Dogs"" to work off the damage they caused when they deep-fried everything in Mr. Hut's office. Meanwhile, Fred, Laz and Lily discover the beauty of the mall barter system and exchange movie tickets, tanning sessions, manicures and pedicures for corn dogs. Meanwhile, Molly goes out with Jasper but is deflated when he brings his girlfriend with him on their ""date.""