I’m A Manager At McDonalds... AMA!

[WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue]

I’m a Manager at McDonalds

I’ve worked for McDonalds for several years in different stores and have received personal awards for my customer service. I never initially wanted to become a manager, however with the support and encouragement of my business manager I went through the crew development programme to become one.

So... AMA?

Thank you Smallhorse

I’ve thought of a few more questions.

Why do the female managers wear pencil skirts? Are they comfortable to work in?

Also what is a Customer Experience Leader? I recently watched a YouTube video of a vlogger going to ‘work’ in McDs for a day. He was ‘trained’ by an attractive young woman with the above title. I’ve never heard of that job post in McDs.

AhoyDelBoy

The OP is a very long standing poster and posts like this about everything (well Pokémon stuff anyhow 😁). She is always very informative and enthusiastic.

You never know who anyone is for sure but if you knew all her other posts I am sure you would agree that she is what she says she is.

She name changes but uses similar Pokémon type names.

Have a look at her other posts before calling her a lier.

(Not sure is OP is male or female sorry if I chose the wrong one😁)

Why do the female managers wear pencil skirts? Are they comfortable to work in?

MonsterRehab23 We don’t have to wear pencil skirts. We get a choice between skirt or trousers, and if we choose skirt we can either have a-line or pencil. The majority of female managers go for skirts, and then for pencil, and yes, they are very comfortable with lovely pockets (crew uniforms don’t have any pockets!)

Also what is a Customer Experience Leader?

A Customer Experience Leader is a relatively new position in McDonalds that has only come about in the last few years with the EOTF refurb.

All EOTF stores should have a CEL, and there are less than 100 of the old system stores left so theoretically the vast majority of McDonalds you visit should have one.

A CEL is basically someone we’ve hired literally just to talk to customers They are out on lobby for their entire shift, but they are not there to wipe tables, empty bins, clean toilets etc. like the customer care team are; their entire job is to spend the entirety of their shift talking to customers!

We’ve found our customers love having someone there who can fix their problems. When it’s busy or short staffed, it’s sometimes hard to get anyone’s attention behind the counter for them to fix your problem, and the customer care team are otherwise focused with looking after lobby. So by having a CEL wandering around, giving out balloons, helping customers use kiosks, having a chat, greeting and thanking, and just being available to sort any issues, our customers feel listened to, appreciated, valued, welcomed, and a smile, kind word, a little help can really make a big difference.

Not all EOTF stores have them, either because they struggle to recruit one (you need a really outgoing person who enjoys people!) or they don’t see the value in one, which is a real shame. Thankfully as time goes on more stores are seeing the value in having a CEL so you will see them more and more.

McDonalds is extremely customer focused now; it’s not about getting you in and out as fast as possible but rather giving you the best experience we can. Entire sections of the management course are on the customer and their needs; we’re trained to learn the different types of customers, what they’re looking for, why they come to McDonalds etc. They really go into the psychology of customers to understand what they want and how best to give it to them.

The OP is a very long standing poster and posts like this about everything (well Pokémon stuff anyhow 😁). She is always very informative and enthusiastic.

HonestReally Thank you for you kind words I am most certainly Pokemon obsessed (when I’m not working, I’m Pokehunting!), and when I name change it’s because I fancy adding a new Pokemon to the name rather than any identity concern

And don’t worry, you got it right, I’m female

I think when people are critical or cynical or disbelieving of someone who is very upbeat and positive it says more about the critic. Sad really.

I used to be like OP about my job, a lone positive voice amongst my largely fed up colleagues. . I’m less so now because the job has changed and I’m getting old and a bit jaded.

It’s so nice to hear from someone who really loves their work.
Thanks again OP

I’m less so now because the job has changed and I’m getting old and a bit jaded.

Smallhorse I’m sorry to hear that But thank you for your lovely words and I’m really glad you’ve enjoyed my AMA

How often do you change the Happy Meal toys, and how often do you introduce new McFlurry flavours? Or is it as and when?

How often do you change the Happy Meal toys, and how often do you introduce new McFlurry flavours? Or is it as and when?

AgeBeforeBeauty Happy Meal promotions usually run for 6 - 8 weeks. We receive different boxes of toys on delivery, sometimes random, sometimes the first couple of weeks will be the same two and then the next two weeks a different two etc. It’s not scheduled when they go out on the floor; it’s literally just whatever box (of the current promotion) the crew member getting toys grabs.

We have the three core Flurries permenantly (Dairy Milk, Crunchie and Oreo) and then we have two new/returning Flurries with each promotion; so at the moment with the Big Tasty promotion we have the Galaxy Chocolate and the Galaxy Caramel. Again they usually run for 6-8 weeks

Thanks, that explains why sometimes the children get the same toys despite a few weeks' gap (rather disappointingly).

Yes, Crunchie is my favourite, Galaxy not so much :)

Thanks, that explains why sometimes the children get the same toys despite a few weeks' gap (rather disappointingly).

AgeBeforeBeauty You can always ask to change and we will accommodate if we can If there’s a specific one you want, it’s worth asking about because it might be in a box in the stockroom, there may be spares in lobby cupboard leftover from kids leaving them about the restaurant or, if the promotion is ending in the next day or two, we may give you the display case one.

I love the galaxy chocolate sauce

Hi OP I have just read your whole AMA it was great reading and I am off to McDonalds on Sun now!
I didn't agree with those people who thought you were abnormally positive. You did mention that it can be hard work and that cleaning the smoothie machine is a pain 😉.
But its not that surprising McDonalds is a nice place to work if you get a good store, after all many of us enjoy going to McDonalds to eat, so it makes sense it could be a good place to work if that kind of job suits you.
My Q is what do you do as a manager to foster that sort of good staff morale you have in your store? How much of it comes from company policies and training and how much is your personal attitude.

I haven’t read the whole thread so apologies if it’s been asked but why do you not have space for cardboard recycling? There’s a plastic bit and a liquid bit for emptying cups out but no cardboard. I feel awful chucking happy meal boxes in the bin when they could be easily recycled.
Also what do you think of experiments which have shown
Mac Donald’s food that doesn’t biodegrade even after a huge amount of time? Disclaimer I have no idea of these were ever faked or if they’re real. But if they are real it is a bit concerning as to what preservatives are in McDonalds food!

What are the best menu hacks you have come across? And can you tell me what a 10.35 is?

When can we get all day breakfast across the UK?!

My Q is what do you do as a manager to foster that sort of good staff morale you have in your store? How much of it comes from company policies and training and how much is your personal attitude.

MrBeansXmasTurkey Firstly, thank you for your kind words! As a manager you should always enter your shift with a good, positive attitude. You should make sure you greet everyone individually, check in with them and see how they’re doing, as your behaviour and attitude as manager sets the tone for the entire shift. If you come in miserable, the crew will pick up on that.

We like to do lots of competitions, like in kitchen which side was faster or counter vs kitchen. At Christmas in particular because it’s one of the busiest times of the year we make a point of recognising crew and having little presents and giveaways.

Recognising and rewarding crew is mentioned a lot during management training. It’s made very clear that you have a duty of care to your crew and how crucial a positive attitude is to a successful shift.

As well as being trained to adapt to customers needs, you are trained to adapt to your crews needs too. It’s very important you know how your crew are; you don’t want to be all up in their face if they’ve had bad news, which is why you should always check in with everyone separately at the start of your shift, and liase with the previous manager (if there was one).

I haven’t read the whole thread so apologies if it’s been asked but why do you not have space for cardboard recycling?

QuietNinjaTardis I don’t know the answer to that I’m afraid. We do recycle all our own cardboard; so all the boxes everything comes in on delivery is recycled, but I’m unsure as to why we don’t have a separate one for customers.

Also what do you think of experiments which have shown Mac Donald’s food that doesn’t biodegrade even after a huge amount of time? Disclaimer I have no idea of these were ever faked or if they’re real. But if they are real it is a bit concerning as to what preservatives are in McDonalds food!

I haven’t seen these experiments. All I know is that McDonalds are very careful about their suppliers and as the biggest player on the market they are able to get the best quality out there, and they do so. Nothing is added into our products; when it says it’s 100% British and Irish Beef, that’s because it is. When they say it’s 100% chicken breast meat, that’s because it is.

What are the best menu hacks you have come across? And can you tell me what a 10.35 is?

Chestnut23 What do you mean by “menu hacks”? Is this the whole secret menu thing again? Because that’s just a myth and always has been; McDonalds has never had a secret menu.

I hadn’t heard of a “10.35” but a quick google tells me people think you can get a breakfast/main menu combo if you go at that time, but you can’t. Breakfast finishes at 10.30; we do not and can not serve it after that. If you come after 10.30 you will be ordering off main menu.

When can we get all day breakfast across the UK?!

KimchiLaLa You can’t; it will never happen in the UK because we just don’t have the infrastructure for it.

Menu hacks = customers creating new combos, such as stirring an espresso into a vanilla milkshake or putting a sundae with an apple pie...

Best AMA ever

Are there any others with real insights into companies? I have found this really interesting

Love your positivity OP! I also really enjoy my job. It is possible!

Can I put in a plea for the return of the Festive Pie? Christmas isn't the same without it. Please pass on my wishes..

Hello OP thank you for an interesting thread.

I don't mean to be rude and I'm so sorry if this somehow is (I can't always tell), but I wondered if you were on the spectrum at all?

It's just that I am, and so is my husband, and I spot myself repeatedly in the way you express yourself, you clearly study hard, understand data, explain things well and have brilliant obsessions - and a history of MH issues. I also know what it's like to really thoroughly love something and have others be at me about my enthusiasm.

Either way you sound awesome to me, and I was wondering if McDonald's was a particularly good employer for autistic people - a few others have mentioned it here, and maybe the very mechanisation and rules makes it a simpler place to work/navigate. Does it make any special allowances for disabled employees? Or not so much?

Menu hacks = customers creating new combos, such as stirring an espresso into a vanilla milkshake or putting a sundae with an apple pie...

Chestnut23 If customers are making their own concoctions, they’re not telling us or asking for them. They can buy whatever they want off our menu, and whatever they do with once they buy it is up to them!

But we won’t accept and subsequently make anything like pies in ice cream or any other weird combinations.

You wouldn’t go to another restaurant and do that so I’m not sure why anyone thinks that’s acceptable in McDonalds.

Best AMA ever

Hairytangerine Thank you!

Love your positivity OP! I also really enjoy my job. It is possible!

Butterymuffin Thanks! I’m really glad you enjoy your job as well; you spend so much time there I think it’d be a real shame if you didn’t!

Can I put in a plea for the return of the Festive Pie? Christmas isn't the same without it. Please pass on my wishes..

There aren’t any plans for it I’m afraid but I’ll try and pass it on!

I don't mean to be rude and I'm so sorry if this somehow is (I can't always tell), but I wondered if you were on the spectrum at all?

apila No, I’m not on the spectrum, but I don’t find you rude for asking

Either way you sound awesome to me, and I was wondering if McDonald's was a particularly good employer for autistic people - a few others have mentioned it here, and maybe the very mechanisation and rules makes it a simpler place to work/navigate. Does it make any special allowances for disabled employees? Or not so much?

McDonalds is great for everyone and they’re really inclusive of those with disabilities; they will try and make special allowances wherever possible and they’re very flexible. All you need to work at McDonalds is a good, positive attitude - the rest can be taught

I’ll admit I don’t have a lot of knowledge about the spectrum, but McDonalds is very structured; they have fully written out plans for absolutely everything - from washing up to cleaning up a spillage. If it’s a job in McDonalds, there is a very informative way of doing it! So a lot of people like that’s there’s a right way for doing everything as it means nothing is random or slapdash.

Thank you so much for your kind words as well It’s great to see other positive people!

I still want to know why 9/10 times I get a wonkily made filet o fish? The burger buns are always loose and the cheese and sauce wind up on the box. I don't want to complain at the till because I'd feel a bit of a dick

I still want to know why 9/10 times I get a wonkily made filet o fish? The burger buns are always loose and the cheese and sauce wind up on the box. I don't want to complain at the till because I'd feel a bit of a dick

AsleepAllDay Filet buns are the only buns that are steamed rather than toasted, so they are a lot softer than every other bun. However, dressings should be centralised (I’m not sure how they could possibly end up on the box nearly every time though ). We have a Gold Standard for absolutely every product so it should not come out ‘wonky’. If it is, that means corrective coaching is in order.

@WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue

It's because the two buns are sitting unevenly on top of each other, the filling pushes or leaks out. Unlike a cheeseburger say, the two buns aren't fully on top of one another. Happens a lot!

AsleepAllDay Ahh right okay; I’ve never personally encountered that. But yeah, it’s a training issue that needs corrective coaching because it’s not Gold Standard.

If I wanted onion in my veggie burger, do you think they would do that for me? What about tomato?