McDonald's Is Trying Too Hard

[Mynock]

So for the first time in literally years, I went into a McDonald's for breakfast this morning, and had my mind blown.

Weird trendy/modern-ish decor, muzak from what sounded like pretty high quality speakers, an actual factual fucking FIRE PLACE embedded in one of the walls......and table side service?!?! I placed my order and the girl behind the counter hands me a big plastic "39" (there's only about a dozen people in there, haha), and when I look at her mystified she explains that I just go sit down and they'll bring my food to me.....!?!

So I go and sit down.....and wait.....and wait.....and finally 15 minutes later she comes over with my food/drink. Apparently the drive thru gets priority over the dine-in people. So much for fast food.

Eating a pre-wrapped breakfast sandwich in this environment was the most surreal thing I did all day.

[Duncan Edwards]

If you've ever visited Chick-fil-A you'll see who they are now afraid of. Somebody is doing it right and they can't figure out the simple formula of edible food served by smiling people who seem to actually pay attention and care. Every long now and then I will hit the drive-thru at McDonald's if I'm really out of options and they are better than their worst of days but still have a long way to go.

[Nessie]

I try hard to be McDonald's-free but every once in awhile there is a lapse, for which I feel a vague regret mixed with the evil, secret satisfaction of a belly full of terrible, unhealthy food.

Nessie

[Herzeleid]

Burger King is better anyway . . . Just saying !

[Qsvgitguy]

Several years ago, I saw a news story about the McDonald's corporation changing their policy on how they pay their employees.

Instead of giving them a standard paycheck or direct deposit like everybody else, they issued workers with one of those rechargeable credit cards. They could use the card just like any other credit card and buy whatever.

The problem...

The company that managed the payroll and the cards was partially owned by the McDonald's company. So, every time an employee used the card, they had to pay a fee. Every time they wanted to get cash, they were charged a fee. Every time they checked their balance, they were charged a fee.

It's bad enough the they pay sub poverty wages, but they started charging their people for using the their own money which they had already earned. When the employees realized what was going on, many of them demanded a real pay check. I don't know what ever became of this story, for it was at least 10 years ago, but I have not eaten at a Mac since. I've got plenty of reserves so I don't care how hungry I am, I'll never eat there again.

[Duncan Edwards]

Several years ago, I saw a news story about the McDonald's corporation changing their policy on how they pay their employees.

Instead of giving them a standard paycheck or direct deposit like everybody else, they issued workers with one of those rechargeable credit cards. They could use the card just like any other credit card and buy whatever.

The problem...

The company that managed the payroll and the cards was partially owned by the McDonald's company. So, every time an employee used the card, they had to pay a fee. Every time they wanted to get cash, they were charged a fee. Every time they checked their balance, they were charged a fee.

It's bad enough the they pay sub poverty wages, but they started charging their people for using the their own money which they had already earned. When the employees realized what was going on, many of them demanded a real pay check. I don't know what ever became of this story, for it was at least 10 years ago, but I have not eaten at a Mac since. I've got plenty of reserves so I don't care how hungry I am, I'll never eat there again.

I recall that was linked to one particular franchisee and quickly discontinued when even he didn't realize the service he'd gotten himself into. My bad experience with the golden arches, aside from the usual bad experience, came a few years ago. I was returning from an outside warehouse at work where I'd skipped lunch to get something finished. Decided to forego anything on that side of town because it was hardly a garden spot and hit the drive through at McD's near my office. Got some chicken nuggets just to keep me alive the rest of the day. Began blindly fishing them out of the sack as I drove and felt something not a chicken nugget. Looked in the container and found a closed safety pin with hair stuck in it. I'm not easily grossed out and given the nature of my work I recognized this as a serious food safety issue.I Photographed the offending hardware with the receipt and sent a message to the customer service address. About two hours later I got a phone call from the local franchise owner who thanked me. I gathered this was not a unique experience and he was grateful for my documenting it so carefully so he could prove to his employees that they weren't following rules and being careful. He didn't try to insult me with more goodies from McDonald's but told me that if I ever needed anything to call him. I assured him i wasn't traumatized or anything but probably not going to return to that location. He understood and that was that. I rarely visited McD's before and didn't again for a year or two. Now I've made a bit of a ritual out of stopping at the last point of civilization on the way to Camp MPV. Kind of a good luck thing just because the boss at MPV goes there too. Pretty sure that will be it for me though.

[MadMax359]

it may take a while, but at some point McD's in the USA should catch up to the McD's i went to in Poland--- you didn't order by talking to a human, there were touch screens that let you choose your category, when you're done you can see your name listed on a queue, only when it's ready do you interact with the employee as you pay and receive your meal

[Fred588]

Some McD's have those here now. I have turned around and walked out whenever I have found this situation.

[Mynock]

I try hard to be McDonald's-free but every once in awhile there is a lapse, for which I feel a vague regret mixed with the evil, secret satisfaction of a belly full of terrible, unhealthy food.

Nessie

I limit myself to once a month, and offset the hideous amount of calories by eating super healthy for the rest of the day. McModeration.

Some McD's have those here now. I have turned around and walked out whenever I have found this situation.

There actually were two ordering kiosks available but you still had the option to order from the counter, which was what I saw the majority of people doing. I watched about half a dozen people come in while I was eating, only one used the touch screen.

[Fred588]

I try hard to be McDonald's-free but every once in awhile there is a lapse, for which I feel a vague regret mixed with the evil, secret satisfaction of a belly full of terrible, unhealthy food.

Nessie

I limit myself to once a month, and offset the hideous amount of calories by eating super healthy for the rest of the day. McModeration.

Some McD's have those here now. I have turned around and walked out whenever I have found this situation.

There actually were two ordering kiosks available but you still had the option to order from the counter, which was what I saw the majority of people doing. I watched about half a dozen people come in while I was eating, only one used the touch screen.

I suspect this might be either a store by store thing or maybe a transitional thing. I can see that McDs is trying to keep costs low by doing away with some of their help, but the ultimate expression of that is a giant vending machine. I also note that for about $2.00 more than what they charge for a meal I can get a much better meal at a Chinese buffet, and that even has seafood. Whenever I am travelling, which is rare these days, I look for a motel within a half mile of a Chnese buffet and totally stuff myself.