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Original poster

Why can't you order ahead on the MacDonalds app?

21 replies

OneFrenchEgg · 29/10/2022 21:34

So we decided to order before leaving Place A so we could pick up at place B near home. But I'd forgotten you aren't actually ordering because the app doesn't let you submit and pay until you are outside. So you may as well queue or use the machines. It's so weird. Why can't they start preparing it before you get there? Like a normal takeaway.
We've been waiting 17 minutes now.

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 29/10/2022 21:42

Because then you'll just moan your foods cold when you get it

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 29/10/2022 21:44

Bit five minutes before arrival they could start preparing it. It's silly to just be able to order from outside - you don't queue jump in any sense.

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 29/10/2022 21:47

You would be queue jumping though. If there were 10 people in the drive thru and 10 people in the restaurant and you order your food for 12:30 should you get yours at exactly 12:30 meaning people who potentially have been sat waiting since before you ordered have to wait longer?

McDonald's just have too many customers for that to work.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 29/10/2022 22:00

So that makes sense but what's the advantage in the app? I think I'm just used to ordering and then collecting, not choosing, driving there, pressing order and then waiting. Maybe you're right and it's numbers.

OP posts:
Nadal · 29/10/2022 22:05

Lots of offers on the app. I like using it when ordering for the family. Much easier

SpinningFloppa · 29/10/2022 22:05

We went to McDonald’s the other day and waited 15 minutes for 2 fries, 2 McFlurries and a drink. 🤦🏻 I prefer burger kings one they let you order then you can click to prepare it once you are close haven’t used the McDonald’s on so wasn’t aware they didn’t prepare it before you got there

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 29/10/2022 22:07

SpinningFloppa · 29/10/2022 22:05

We went to McDonald’s the other day and waited 15 minutes for 2 fries, 2 McFlurries and a drink. 🤦🏻 I prefer burger kings one they let you order then you can click to prepare it once you are close haven’t used the McDonald’s on so wasn’t aware they didn’t prepare it before you got there

Oh maybe I'll try that next time I fancy junk! This lets you click to prepare outside but not any closer. Plus they forgot dh's fries but he couldn't face going in again 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 29/10/2022 22:08

Nadal · 29/10/2022 22:05

Lots of offers on the app. I like using it when ordering for the family. Much easier

Thank you - one good reason maybe

OP posts:
Rockbird · 29/10/2022 22:11

The Mcdonalds app does let you order in advance. I order and choose payment before I leave. Then when I'm there select 'already here' and choose method of collection. Dead easy, too easy!

YomAsalYomBasal · 30/10/2022 08:29

Yes you can order in advance but they don't prepare in advance. So like me the other day you can order before you leave home but then still wait an hour outside McDonald's for your food. Frustrating.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 30/10/2022 08:34

YomAsalYomBasal · 30/10/2022 08:29

Yes you can order in advance but they don't prepare in advance. So like me the other day you can order before you leave home but then still wait an hour outside McDonald's for your food. Frustrating.

This is what I was trying to say. We still waited something like 25 minutes on arrival. So I can't really see the point, unless it's to avoid queuing? But if they could start prepping earlier that would be so much better.

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 30/10/2022 08:40

It's good when it's throwing it down with rain and you can do click and collect where they bring it to your car.

Not good for them, obviously...!

And it's good if you're collecting a big order and can't remember what everyone wants. It's easier to put it all on the app before you leave to collect.

Rockbird · 30/10/2022 08:43

Ah I see. Yes that would be really annoying.

TripleB32 · 30/10/2022 08:45

I have the exact same thoughts about the app! Don't see the benefit in it at all but DH insists on it. Hmm

YomAsalYomBasal · 30/10/2022 11:49

@OneFrenchEgg yes little point it seems except i don't have to remember all my family's orders and I get reward points I guess. My comment was directed @Rockbird who thinks it works well for them - perhaps it does for some people and it's just our local mcdonalds who are so inefficient?!

BinleyMegaChippy · 30/10/2022 12:16

It's simply a case of you having fresh hot food. If you were to place the order, and the restaurant receives it as soon as its placed, then the food will be made within 2-5 minutes, and it will be sat waiting for collection, and end up cold. It also minimises the risk of inaccurate orders that can sometimes be made at the drive thru speaker.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 30/10/2022 12:20

It doesn't work out as fresh hot food quickly though - if you could select start preparing now instead of being forced to wait til arrival that wii oh ups be perfect.

OP posts:
Inmy40 · 30/10/2022 12:36

Everybody parks in the designated bays and goes to eat in the restaurant. Utter chaos.

WhatICallMyPumpkin · 30/10/2022 12:38

I also think some of it is do with people ordering to the wrong one as we have a few near here and I've had the error before saying erm no you're not at A you're at B!

BinleyMegaChippy · 30/10/2022 14:10

OneFrenchEgg · 30/10/2022 12:20

It doesn't work out as fresh hot food quickly though - if you could select start preparing now instead of being forced to wait til arrival that wii oh ups be perfect.

For the Uber drivers, there is a similar system, like what you suggest. The restaurant gets a notification when they are 3mins away, to start preparing the delivery food so that its then taken by the driver straight away. Maybe one day, they will bring that in on the app aswell. Would be good.

Eternity101 · 01/02/2023 13:05

That’s so ridiculous. Every other restaurant allows it. Starbucks for example is always just as if not more busy than McDonald’s yet they allow you to order ahead! The amount of times I place an online order at Starbucks and when I go to pick it up there’s 10+ people in the drive through, inside, and multiple online orders sitting there along with my own waiting to be picked up. Seems like there isn’t a good enough reason for McDonald’s to have this rule. Not to mention if I want to order online but have someone else pick it up for me that wouldn’t be able to happen because my phone would need to physically be there. It’s such a stupid rule and has no real reason to exist or else other places would do the same thing.

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