So, I never visit McDonald’s. Oddly, I have managed to visit them twice this year. Once a month ago while traveling and it just worked out that it made the most sense when we stopped for fuel while traveling.
And second last night. We were at the lake late and coming home just before 9pm. Most non chain places were closing, and the only local spot open was McDonald’s. Had the whole family including my visiting parents.
The experience was pretty awful. First, they had 3 employees in the building, and the expectation was that you use the Kiosk. I didn’t have ‘strong’ opinions of having to use it vs. speaking to a human. However after ordering 4 meals on it, it is quite the nightmare for the casual visitor. Probably took 4x as long to order our food.
My parents took their order on a second Kiosk and were not even able to complete their order (Parents are in their mid 70s). Not sure what happened, I wasn’t watching them. My dad was quite irritated at this point.
After asking one of the humans multiple times for help, he took their order at the register.
<insert 30 minute wait for food>
Our food was placed in their pickup area in bags with napkins (store napkin holder empty). Nearly every burger was overcooked and quite dry. Both my buns were hard. The fry’s were luke warm and not very fresh. The meal for 2 adults and 2 14yos was $40 bux.
I saw a story on Lemmy last week about how McDonald’s profits were down and the general consensus was that it was the over priced food. While I’m sure that has an impact I believe the Kiosk, slow ‘fast food’ and overall experience has to be a huge negative.
My parents were PISSED, and they are historically huge McD Patrons. At least in their case, the price will not be why they do not return. Its the awful experience.
The McDonalds in my area is pretty amazing (Silverthorne CO). There’s always like 10 employees and it just hums in there. I only ever order from the app; I get a large fries no salt and a large unsweetened iced tea for $2. The fries are always fresh (no salt is key) and they are ready within a minute of me walking in the door.
Appreciate the comment! That said, I’m not looking to find ways to better my McDonald’s experience here :)
I just need to build that time since I was at McDonald’s back up. I wanted to vent after seeing the story about price likely causing their 1/4 results. I think there’s more to it.
It has to cost them more than $2 in materials and time for my order; I’m slowly putting them out of business ;p
Haha
As a fry jockey. Fuck you. I make all fries fresh to order but all you assholes online just tell people to order no salt fries to be “fresh” it might work at McDonald’s but lemme tell you where I work a no salt fry is made at my convenience and set aside because making a no salt fry means WIPING DOWN EVERYTHING COVERED IN SALT It is not a “hack” eveywhere.
Every other goddamn online order is “no salt” but also extra cheese, double bacon, extra pickle. It slows things down so much I’m actually trying to get no salts for online orders banned.
Hey friend, sorry about that, but there’s just way too much on them otherwise. I end up wiping them down with a napkin and giving up after a handful if they have the typical amount of salt on them—I don’t know how people do it
If you just want less salt I forgive you. If you are trying a fast food hack to get fresh fries when you would have gotten fresh fries anyway then that’s what makes my blood boil