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AMA

I’m A Manager At McDonalds... AMA!

637 replies

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 05/08/2018 20:44

I’m a Manager at McDonalds Smile

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? Grin

OP posts:
Knitjob · 09/08/2018 13:23

Why are there no vegetarian happy meal options? Fish doesn't count.

Why do you still give away plastic toys in happy meals? Surely most of them end up in landfill within a month.

What do you do about recycling? Does someone sort through all the rubbish? It all just goes in one big bin in our local McDonald's.

Todamhottoday · 09/08/2018 13:24

Haven eaten at my local McD today, not in the UK, have you ever worked at a branch overseas?

And do you know if the training is the same across the board

Cheesymonster · 09/08/2018 13:34

luckycat007 I too mourn the loss of the Big Breakfast Sad

PandaPieForTea · 09/08/2018 18:40

Definitely somebody from Head Office.

Great PR stunt though, well done.

I’m not sure Head Office would use an established username and mention their therapy.

Condragulations · 09/08/2018 18:50

Only read the first page but Down Syndrome lady = Lady with Down Syndrome.

BulletWithABun · 09/08/2018 20:52

How sad that some of you can't believe that someone can just love her job and be happy to talk about it. I don't think this is a PR stunt.

Shoeshelpplease · 10/08/2018 07:03

Maybe the OP knows somebody at Head Office well enough to have that info but no way a shift manager would know such detail just by virtue of their role alone.

PavlovianLunge · 10/08/2018 08:49

How sad that some of you can't believe that someone can just love her job and be happy to talk about it. I don't think this is a PR stunt.

Well said, Bullet. I don’t like McDonalds very much, and I’m unlikely to ever seek a career with them, but the thread has been interesting, and it’s refreshing to read cheerful, positive comments from someone happy in what they do.

VianneRocher · 10/08/2018 20:02

Toffee Sundaes are being discontinued?! Shock

Wtf. All my favourite things end up discontinued or changed.

Tuesday11 · 10/08/2018 21:38

Why is it that breakfast is only served until 10.30 when most people would eat breakfast until 11 or 11.30 and lets be honest...who eats a Big Mac at 10.35??

Nogodsnomasters · 10/08/2018 22:59

I haven't read whole thread so apologies if this has been asked by someone else already.... But why do the fries go cold so bloody quickly? Within 2 minutes of opening the meal the chips are lukewarm, within 5 minutes cold and floppy. I'm in Northern Ireland so no idea if this is an issue in England branches but I've tried many branches here and all the same problem.

FacelikeaBagofHammers · 10/08/2018 23:21

Really great read, thanks OP!

9amTrain · 11/08/2018 04:46

@BonnieF you really think people who work at McDonald's are not able to spell properly?

What a stupid thing to suggest.

OP, I love McDonald's and have been going there every week day almost for the past month (bad I know) but there is a massive fly problem. I guess because of the heat but it's even on the colder days! What's the solution?!

AmazingGrace16 · 11/08/2018 18:52

I've just been to McDonald's to get a big tasty and they have stopped serving them :,( please please please can you tell me when they are coming back? I'm pregnant and desperate...

GiveMeAllTheGin8 · 11/08/2018 21:33

I love McDonald's, always have.
My cousin works in one and says he never eats there and advised me not toShock he said most of the staff have filthy nails and then don't wear gloves when handling the food? Is this true?
TBH I still eat it and craving a Big Mac and coke now

9amTrain · 11/08/2018 21:40

If it is true then surely it's a hygiene issue at your specific branch and not a McDonald's-specific thing?

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 12/08/2018 00:13

Do you ever eat in other fast food restaurants, and how do you think they compare to McDonalds?

HopelesslydevotedtoGu Rarely. I find my standards have been set so high by McDonalds that few places pass them!

Another question... should the French fries be filled to the top? And if they aren't, would it be unreasonable to ask for a few more to be put in?

melin No, the criteria isn’t filled to the top. A medium portion of fries should be 114g - we want the carton filled but not stuffed.

The problem is similar to the Flurry one. Crew overfill fries and stuff them in, leading to customers expecting that and becoming confused/angry/feeling shortchanged if they don’t get it.

Why does the milkshake machine breakdown in the hottest day of the year?

AJPTaylor I’ve only ever known the machine to break down once in all the time I’ve worked there. If it “isn’t working”, what’s mostly likely occurred is the machine has been accidentally put on a deep clean cycle, and that takes several hours.

I often find the ice cream level in the mcflurry low.
What's the standard level and can I ask at the drive thru for a top up or would the staff hate me?

Rollerbird It’s not a level. A regular McFlurry is 150g and a mini McFlurry is 75g.

As above with fries, crew overfill them so customers think they aren’t getting enough ice cream when they’re getting the correct amount.

If you ask for a top up, the manager should check the Flurry, if it’s right explain the correct amount and offer to weigh it for you. On all the occasions I have done weighed them the Flurry has been over, never under.

What happened to the Heinz ketchup?

RLOU88 Suppliers come and go.

Any plans to get the cheese and bacon covered fun fries which they do in Switzerland?

wandathealien Not that I’m aware of, I’m afraid!

I wish I could believe in your perfect store and team but after working in several different ones for 6 years I know better, sadly.

HannahHut No store is perfect; nothing in life is. I’m sorry you had a poor experience yourself but I can only go off my own, and I’ve loved every minute of it.

One extra question; I was a crew trainer, I felt the additional pay was not worth the additional responsibilities. I also had friends who became shift managers but came back down voluntarily. When does the promotion become worth it?

I’ve always felt it was worth it. I loved being a crew trainer because I enjoyed introducing new starters to our restaurant and training them (I love training!). I have never personally known anyone to demote themselves.

I love being a manager because I enjoy how each day is different, and I take pride in my role, my restaurant and my crew.

OP posts:
WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 12/08/2018 00:14

I'm in Australia where you can get breakfast all day in Maccas, and also delivery by Uber Eats. So maybe they will roll that out in the UK too.

AltheaorDonna Delivery via Uber is already a thing in major cities; they’re hoping to roll it out across the country.

We will never get all day breakfast in the UK though; our restaurants just aren’t built for it.

Why can’t you have jugs of milk or larger sachets?

PitchBlackNight I don’t know about larger sachets, but jugs of milk would be a food safety concern.

Glad to hear you love the coffee and wraps!

How often are the ordering screens and iPads cleaned as they seem like a germ filled haven

mermaidsandunicorns They should be cleaned several times during a customer care assistant’s shift.

Why does the music have to be on so loud in some mc ds?

luckycat007 It shouldn’t be loud, it should be at a reasonable volume.

Also why did they get rid of the big breakfast?

I’m afraid I can’t answer that!

Are the milkshakes still available widely?

delphguelph Yes, they are in all UK stores.

Not RTFT so sorry I'd been asked before but why is the veggie provision so poor?

PerverseConverse There just isn’t a demand for them, I’m afraid.

I personally hate McDonald's because most I've been subjected too are full of teenage scallies causing trouble Do you find that a lot?

Not in any of the stores I’ve worked in. If anyone is causing trouble, displaying antisocial behaviour or loitering they should be asked to leave the the police should be rang if they don’t.

Why are groups of teens allowed to loiter around McDonalds when there's usually 6 or more of them and only 1 or 2 of them have a drink and that's it?

crazycatgal If they are sat down inside not causing trouble, we have no problems with teenagers staying even if they only have a drink or two between them as we recognise there are few safe places for them to hang out.

We don’t allow loitering, antisocial behaviour or any trouble, though. Then they would be asked to leave.

Really interesting thread, thank you.

EyeDrops You’re welcome, really glad you like it! Smile

PLEASE could McChicken Premieres be brought back, in a promotion or something? Please?? Pretty please???

The chicken legends are very popular so I doubt they would be replaced! I am unsure as to the reason for their discontinuation though I’m afraid.

OP posts:
WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 12/08/2018 00:14

What level of management are you if you don’t mind me asking

MonsterRehab23 I’m a shift manager Smile

If we were running around like headless chickens, some part of our system would not be working. Whether that’s people positioning, product issues or equipment problems.

A shift ran smoothly should never have anyone running about like a headless chicken! Our old system was like that and it was a nightmare, which is why this new system is so good.

Also do you have to work unpaid overtime?

No, nobody ever works unpaid. If you’re there, you’re clocked in and getting paid.

With salaried managers, they should get all their work done in the shifts they are allocated. If they aren’t doing, they aren’t managing their time and/or workload effectively. They don’t stay late or start early.

will you ever bring back the wotsit style chips?

IamReginaFalange Probably not, sorry!

Ive also noticed abroad theres such a bigger bigger range salads. Think any plans for this in the uk?

Notquiteagandt Not that I’m aware of I’m afraid.

Also everytime ive been there rescently I have been given coke zero instead. Do you still serve normal non sweetener laden coke?

We do! It just has the sugar tax on it so is now a little more expensive.

You will know if you have been given Coke Zero by accident as the tabs on your drink cap will have been pressed in. If they haven’t been, it’s coke.

How do I stop the manager at my local one from parking in the disabled bay?

sashh Ask them not to?

Why can't I get breakfast food from the 24 hour one at 5.00am? Why is it 'too early'?

It’s exactly the reason why you can’t get breakfast after 10.30am as I mentioned previously; changeover has to be completed. We cannot sell main menu and breakfast side by side so our menu times are important to allow us to complete safety checks and change from breakfast to main menu or vice versa.

Which ages or groups are generally the worst - way they treat the staff, leaving everything on the table etc

TellMeItsNotTrue You can’t generalise by age or group; everyone is individual and different.

OP posts:
WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 12/08/2018 00:15

Are the beef burgers still made from cow meat in the U.K.?

Japanesejazz Yeah, all our beef comes from British and Irish farms; we use the forequarter and flank only.

Does it annoy you that there is not more promotion of the Ronald McDonald charity in the U.K.?

We try to promote it as much as we can and do many fundraising events throughout the year, but we can always do more!

Are they only available online?

Smallhorse Yeah, online application is the only way.

It’s just a case of keep trying! In a busy city like Glasgow they’ll fill the posts very quickly.

Thank you. This a very informative thread!

CookieDoughKid You’re welcome! Really glad you like it

What is the most popular promotion? I’m guessig monopoly?

RitaMills Monopoly is the biggest event in our calendar, but in terms of food promotions, the Grand Mac promotion far surpassed how well we thought it would do!

We knew it would be popular, but we didn’t expect just how popular!

Is your store franchised or still a part of the McDonalds company?

saturdaynightgin It’s franchised. I’m sorry your experience wasn’t similar, but our franchise owner is brilliant and really sets the positive tone and attitude for everyone else.

Are McDonalds ok with you linking your user name to their brand?

Ontheboardwalk I explained further upthread about our social media policy, but in a nutshell, as long as you’re not talking on behalf of the company (and I’m not, I’m talking from experience) or releasing confidential information, you’re fine.

How do you know the employees don’t open the monopoly stickers?

IamReginaFalange Anyone caught doing this would be fired, and we have cameras everywhere

you might be interested in this article about the monopoly stickers. There was massive fraud involving quite a bit more than staff stealing the stickers!

AltheaorDonna That was decades ago, and only involved 52 people. With all the technology we have now, it would be very unlikely to reoccur again.

OP posts:
WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 12/08/2018 00:15

Haven eaten at my local McD today, not in the UK, have you ever worked at a branch overseas?

Todamhottoday Unfortunately I have not! I bet it would be a great experience though.

And do you know if the training is the same across the board

It is in the UK and very similar in the US I believe but I am unsure as to other countries.

Maybe the OP knows somebody at Head Office well enough to have that info but no way a shift manager would know such detail just by virtue of their role alone.

Shoeshelpplease I don’t know anyone at head office. I have already explained how information in McDonalds works above.

the thread has been interesting, and it’s refreshing to read cheerful, positive comments from someone happy in what they do.

PavlovianLunge I really appreciate that, and the comment from Bullet, thank you I started this thread because I’ve mentioned my job a few times and been asked more than once to do an AMA, so I thought I’d give it a go.

Toffee Sundaes are being discontinued?!

VianneRocher They aren’t that popular I’m afraid!

OP posts:
WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 12/08/2018 00:16

Whybdo you put so much ice in the drink?

Butterflycookie If you look on the side of the cup, there are three little red lines. The first is the line of where ice should come up to, the second is where the drink should be filled to if a customer requests no ice and the third is where the drink should come up to with ice.

It also shouldn’t be flat.

A store shift manager would never have so much information about the corporate goings on, ie new product lines.

Shoeshelpplease Actually we do. They like to keep us updated, they have an entire website for managers dedicated to upcoming promotions and a whole host of other information. They don’t keep us in the dark.

It’s not just managers either - crew have been aware of the discontinuation of sundaes for quite a while now, and that’s not until September.

You cannot effectively plan your shift or do your job without all the necessary information.

Definitely somebody from Head Office.

Great PR stunt though, well done.

It’s a shame you’re so cynical, but there’s not much I can do about that. I would not be interested in head office as I enjoy the day to day running of the restaurant and interacting with customers and crew.

I agree. I was suspicious about the standard of spelling and punctuation in OP’s replies. Atypically good and consistent for an hourly paid McD’s employee....

BonnieF Why would working at McDonalds mean I should automatically have poor spelling and grammar?

English was my strongest subject when I was at school and I have produced several written works.

Why are there no vegetarian happy meal options? Fish doesn't count.

Knitjob There isn’t a big enough demand for one I’m afraid.

Why do you still give away plastic toys in happy meals? Surely most of them end up in landfill within a month.

Because children want them. We have dabbled in other happy meal additions though; we had a book promotion last year.

What do you do about recycling? Does someone sort through all the rubbish? It all just goes in one big bin in our local McDonald's.

We have a dedicated recycling scheme with separate bins to put their rubbish in; plastic, paper cups and cardboard are treated and taken away separately.

OP posts:
WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 12/08/2018 00:16

Why is it that breakfast is only served until 10.30 when most people would eat breakfast until 11 or 11.30 and lets be honest...who eats a Big Mac at 10.35??

Tuesday11 Lots of people do! Changeover is one of our busiest times of the day. I answered this a few pages back so I’ll just copy and paste:

Changeover comes at 10.30am, and that is a busy and stressful time! The entire kitchen has to be hauled over from breakfast to main menu, so grills, UHCs and vats changed, all breakfast equipment quickly removed from the kitchen to be washed, breakfast waste needs to be counted; it’s a big operation. we also have to empty bins, sweep and mop floors all the while still serving.

Right before changeover we also have to start cooking main menu meat and ensuring safety checks are done on those too, and that can take quite a bit of time as every meat size is checked on every single grill and each patty is probed to ensure the grills are working correctly and it is safe. We absolutely cannot sell any meat that has not been checked.

That’s why we cannot easily serve breakfast once 10.30am is hit, because we only have a very short time to changeover before lunch starts in just over an hour, and we are losing at least one crew member for 45/60 minutes to wash all breakfast equipment and put it away too.

Not to mention, we don’t want lots of waste after breakfast as well.

Within 2 minutes of opening the meal the chips are lukewarm, within 5 minutes cold and floppy.

Nogodsnomasters They’re not contained like our other products so they do cool down faster. Plus of course food is going to go cold if you leave it for five minutes!

Really great read, thanks OP!

FacelikeaBagofHammers You’re welcome! I love answering questions about my job Smile

OP, I love McDonald's and have been going there every week day almost for the past month (bad I know) but there is a massive fly problem. I guess because of the heat but it's even on the colder days! What's the solution?!

9amTrain There isn’t a fly problem in my own store, but I can let you know that we have very regular pest control visits and they will be monitoring the situation. Really glad you love McDonalds that much though!

I've just been to McDonald's to get a big tasty and they have stopped serving them :,( please please please can you tell me when they are coming back? I'm pregnant and desperate...

AmazingGrace16 The Big Tasty is still the current promotion in the UK so as long as you’re in a UK store they’ll still be being sold.

My cousin works in one and says he never eats there and advised me not to he said most of the staff have filthy nails and then don't wear gloves when handling the food? Is this true?

GiveMeAllTheGin8 I eat there every day on my break. McDonalds is extremely stringent and strict when it comes to food hygiene and health and safety, and several other McDonalds workers that have worked there in the past have confirmed as such on this thread.

They are well known for having such exceptionally high standards, and they are much higher than the majority of restaurants you will ever go to.

It is true that we don’t wear gloves to make food, and that is because it is more hygienic to not wear gloves.

When food handlers wear gloves, they believe they are protected, so then problems occur with cross contamination when they wear the same gloves for a long time and for everything, from making food to touching themselves and surfaces etc.

We have a dedicated timed handwashing system and when it goes off crew have to wash their hands. That is non-negotiable.

There are two or three instances in which we temporarily wear gloves, such as laying meat and preparing salads, but in all other instances we do not wear gloves because it is more hygienic that way.

OP posts:
LosingLola · 12/08/2018 01:05

Are the cold drinks cold if you ask for no ice? I don't want a watered down drink when the ice melts, but equally I don't want it to be lukewarm.

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 12/08/2018 01:27

Are the cold drinks cold if you ask for no ice? I don't want a watered down drink when the ice melts, but equally I don't want it to be lukewarm.

LosingLola It won’t be lukewarm, but it won’t be really cold either. I suppose it would be cool? I never have my regular drinks with no ice; only ever our courtesy drinks without ice and I’ve never paid too much attention to their temperature I’m afraid!

OP posts: