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Original poster

to think McDonald's have lost the main idea of "fast food"

406 replies

urwildquoter24 · 02/04/2024 10:21

It's not even fast anymore. It takes at least 15 minutes on a good day to get food, and on a bad day even longer. The drive-thru is even worse, I was in there last weekend and there were three cars in front of me and took half an hour to get my food and go.

I haven't even seen McDonald's do anything particularly creative recently. They're just bringing back old things and the food really doesn't look anything like in there adverts (which we established years ago)

And don't start about the new Happy Meal toys!!!

McDonald's is basically where fast food started, and now I think it's lost it a bit.

OP posts:
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DontSetYourselfOnFireToKeepOthersWarm · 02/04/2024 15:53

If I've been waiting in the drive thru and it's a simple order then I just politely decline if they ask me if I mind parking up. It occasionally meets with an incredulous look from the person serving, but they then seem to find the food quite quickly. I'm in a queue and this is the UK after all.

cellfish · 02/04/2024 15:50

LadeOde · 02/04/2024 15:49

You don't like your fast food 'hot'? care to elaborate, i always return my food if it's not hot.

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Where did she say she didn’t like it…? I think you need to read the post again.

LadeOde · 02/04/2024 15:49

MississippiAF · 02/04/2024 10:27

The one near us is fast and everything is always hot. It’s a motorway junction though, so it’s always busy.

It’s not my idea of a treat, but it fulfils a purpose

You don't like your fast food 'hot'? care to elaborate, i always return my food if it's not hot.

BlokeHereInPeace · 02/04/2024 15:48

Hi Tatted and yes, not right to have a go at staff. So the system prioritises the drive thru and deliveries, good to know. Is there anything on the menu that's quicker to make?

TattedBarley · 02/04/2024 15:39

I work in said restaurant. I don’t know what it’s like in other franchises but ours personally is as follows
Food is usually cooked to order. Fast food doesn’t mean instant food.
Priority is Drive Thru, then deliveries, then in store.
The vast majority of workers are teenagers - including shift managers. I’d take this into account when slagging off staff.
Fries are more likely to be hot and fresh if it’s busy.
Happy to answer any questions if I can!

tryingtohelp82 · 02/04/2024 15:34

It's really fast in all the ones I go to even the busy packed ones. And they are always bringing new things out 🤔

oakleaffy · 02/04/2024 15:33

DoYouSmokePaul · 02/04/2024 10:36

I hate the Russian roulette of whether the chips will be:

  • golden shards of god-like crispiness filled with hot potato fluff
  • chewy, slightly brown strips of sadness

Agree! I love the chips when hot and crispy and fresh - but all flaccid and cold? Yuck.

Haven't had a McDonalds for years though - very artificial tasting but I did love their McFlurry ice creams with the sauce.

WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 02/04/2024 15:33

Lalalalalabambaa · 02/04/2024 15:29

Last time I went a couple of years ago there was a pube on my filet 😷

How much extra was it? I’ve never seen that on the customise menu.

Ohmygourd · 02/04/2024 15:30

We visit less frequently ever since Deliveroo and Just Eats started deliveries. The knock on effect from these companies has slowed down service and also made parking harder at our two local sites.

Lalalalalabambaa · 02/04/2024 15:29

Last time I went a couple of years ago there was a pube on my filet 😷

cellfish · 02/04/2024 15:11

urwildquoter24 · 02/04/2024 15:09

Sorry, £1?! That's mad.

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It is. Completely mad.

Original poster
urwildquoter24 · 02/04/2024 15:09

cellfish · 02/04/2024 15:07

They are £1 where I live..

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Sorry, £1?! That's mad.

OP posts:
cellfish · 02/04/2024 15:07

urwildquoter24 · 02/04/2024 10:28

Did I mention that they charge 10p for the dips now! They used to be free!

They are £1 where I live..

Original poster
urwildquoter24 · 02/04/2024 15:07

They've started cooking the onions on the burgers at the same time, as far as I know.

They also use brioche buns for some of the burgers.

OP posts:
ineedsun · 02/04/2024 15:04

taxguru · 02/04/2024 13:00

No, not "cooked" to order, it's "assembled" to order.

The burger patty's are pre-cooked and sat in trays until the order comes in and then someone assembles them, accordingly to customisations (if any).

So it's quite possible to have a "freshly assembled" Big Mac where the beef patty has been sat for quite a while in a warm tray.

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Unless it’s changed again the last few weeks they don’t do this any more - or they’re certainly rolling it out

HanaJane · 02/04/2024 15:04

15 minutes?!!! Never takes that long when I go. Maybe there's a problem with your local one?

Original poster
urwildquoter24 · 02/04/2024 15:03

Loungwear · 02/04/2024 15:01

https://money.com/mcdonalds-drive-thru-guarantee-minute-free-food/#:~:text=If%20the%20food%20isn't,to%20boost%20business%20at%20lunchtime.

American and from 10 years ago but didn’t they offer this here?
Basically due to more footfall & larger menu the service is slower.

Thanks - I'll have a read-through.

OP posts:
Original poster
urwildquoter24 · 02/04/2024 15:01

Missamyp · 02/04/2024 15:00

Has anyone been after hrs? We went to one in Manchester at 5 am, it was fast. They had a girl at the front with a megaphone shouting out the orders and collections.😂

Imagine this was all the time! 😂

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Clarefromwork · 02/04/2024 15:01

I liked the old system where you queued (they had loads of cashiers) and the person taking your order got your food and drinks pretty much straight away.

Now you have to order and go into a queue system (like Argos) so even if you just order something like a milkshake and nothing else you go into the queue and have to wait ages.

Loungwear · 02/04/2024 15:01

https://money.com/mcdonalds-drive-thru-guarantee-minute-free-food/#:~:text=If%20the%20food%20isn't,to%20boost%20business%20at%20lunchtime.

American and from 10 years ago but didn’t they offer this here?
Basically due to more footfall & larger menu the service is slower.

to think McDonald's have lost the main idea of "fast food"
Missamyp · 02/04/2024 15:00

Has anyone been after hrs? We went to one in Manchester at 5 am, it was fast. They had a girl at the front with a megaphone shouting out the orders and collections.😂

Original poster
urwildquoter24 · 02/04/2024 14:59

I'm sorry to read that this is happening.

Maybe McDonald's isn't the best "fast" food anymore. Maybe we'll all be won over by Wendy's as it returns to the U.K.

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SakuraTrees · 02/04/2024 14:57

Yesterday I went through the drive through and waited 20 minutes to get to the window and was told to park up. Waited 25 minutes and went in to get them in the end. Didn't even have an apology. So 45 minutes for 2 bog standard happy meals with no alterations!!

mitogoshi · 02/04/2024 14:51

I'm in the U.K. but we don't have Uber eats etc operating here so you can't get McDonald's delivered

needsomewarmsunshine · 02/04/2024 14:47

Crap food from the word go and has never changed, but service has got worse.
When I go past my local one there are always delivery bags going in / coming out on mass.