Tell McDonald’s what’s important to you when eating out with your family - £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED!

[EmmaMumsnet]

Whilst eating out with the family can provide a much-needed treat and opportunity to reconnect, it can also entail much compromise in order to ensure that all members are satisfied with the outing. McDonald’s UK is keen to find out what is running through your mind when it comes to making that often tricky dining decision whilst keeping smiles on everyone’s faces.

Here what McDonald’s has to say: “We’re looking at new options for our Happy Meal and invited Mumsnet behind the scenes as we started the food development journey! Our restaurants have changed, options like kiosk ordering and table service make it easier for families to enjoy our food but we want to know what you look for when eating out as a family.”

Whether you are celebrating a special occasion, visiting your favourite family restaurant or simply popping into a local take away, we want to know on what basis you make such decisions. Is it the provision of colouring sheets for the kids, or haute cuisine for the more mature members of the family? Maybe you find it difficult to identify a restaurant with menus capable of pleasing all parties and resort to visiting several locations? Is making sure your children’s meals are well balanced or that the location is family friendly important to you?

Whatever your main considerations are when choosing somewhere to eat out with your family, please share them below and you will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a £300 voucher of your choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

I would be happier to support McDonalds if every restaurant employed a full time litter picker. McDonalds and other fast food restaurants are helping to turn the UK into a giant rubbish skip.

To be honest I have never had a lovely hot burger in MacDonalds. My children like going as a treat but i dont buy myself anything as I like hot fresh food, not warm burgers with wilted lettuce. So in order to make it family friendly, look after the adults as well!!!

Plenty of high chairs so you don't have to fight for them! I have seen a few squabbles over highchairs

I like going to places that have set menus for the kids so they can have a small starter, main and pudding as it keeps them occupied for longer

Colouring/activities are always good too.

We love going to MacD's as a well earned treat, the kids love the fact they get a toy with their meal. Really makes the idea of a 'treat' more special.
When we go out as a family to dine, it's really important that their are suitable and clean child friendly changing and toileting facilities. Often places focus only on their adult clientele, but my four year old and 2year old are terrified of the loud noise the hand air dryers make. And toilet cubicles on the whole for toddlers and small children are rather intimidating.
Also adequate seating and space for high chairs and or Prams/pushchairs is an added luxury. And it shouldn't be a luxury but as standard? Or else you kind of feel discriminated against for having brought your children out for a meal. And feel it's your duty to make good the situation.
Ideally the highchair should fit snuggly under the table so that the table top is their eating tray, space saving and the youngster feels part of the family meal and not separated by having to either squeeze a space in for them or the general bulky-ness of the highchair.
Drinks:
It's great that macD's offer a variety of different drinks, however what would be better is that the milk, water and fresh juice options come in a bottle with a sippy lid rather than screw lid as trying to aid an independent toddler with this is a battle. Causes stress to both parties and often leads to future trips; bringing our own sippy cups. And hiding the 'special' bottle they actually want!
Providing healthier drink options in this way, I believe, will promote good food choices and not just reaching for the only drink, (very high in sugar) that is easy for the child to manage independently.
On the whole we love going out for a meal with the whole family, but these small things can make it just THAT much more enjoyable. Because all the stress out of the little things has been thought about which can cause huge toddler dramas -thus leading to a quick exit- has been taken care of, enabling us to actually spend that well earned family time together and enjoy our treat!

Gluten free options please! My dd loves macdonnalds and I would take her more often, if there was gluten free options in the uk. I think you would find it would increase sales

Fresh, good quality food. A variety of choice so there's something for everyone. Clean, relaxed and family friendly.

Clean tables to sit at.
Anything to keep the kids occupied is great...so colouring sheets, pens etc.
My local McDonald's has a small indoor play area which is great.
I also like there to be fruit/veg available as part of their meal.

For me clean tables, floor and high chairs. And room for a Pram.
I have no problem with ds having McDonald's now and then, but it can be difficult to find room to sit.

Just an idea, but with the fruit bags, it would be useful to have the grapes cut in half, to reduce the chocking hazard.

I don’t like the iPads on tables thing in McDonalds, I don’t want my children distracted by them when they should be focused on eating and interacting with each other and others eating with them.

More vegi options please - why did you stop the vegi wrap?

Clean, accessible toilets are a must, and clean high chairs although mine are past that stage.

I like the option to add carrots or fruit to happy meals

And I agree with the less plastic tat request! It’s so wasteful

Cleanliness is a big thing for me - I'm really put off by dirty, sticky tables. Also, clean toilets with soap and appropriate hand drying facilities are a must.

Menu options for all including children and those with special dietary needs. One member of my family is vegan and she struggles to find anything that is not just a salad when we go out to eat.

I never take my children in McDonald and would never treat food like this as a "treat"

A wide variety, including 'plain' options.

Cleanliness!
Non sticky tables, floors and toilets and bins that are not overflowing.
Proper seating - movable tables and chairs, not the fixed obstacle course the one near me currently has.
I'd like to know whether all that card/paper gets recycled.
Not keen on screens, too distracting, you're there to eat not play computer games on germ filled screens.
Menu seems fine, it's a treat, if I wanted wholesome family food I wouldn't be going there!

Quick service, good value and knowing exactly what's in the food. My youngest is allergic to tomatoes, so knowing that staff will take that seriously and minimise any risks of cross contamination so my son's throat doesn't swell up and leave him unable to breathe.

We don't eat out often...

Gluten free burgers and other options for coeliacs please
The whole menu with GF shown on items that are safe
Thank you

Clean tables and underneath! Nothing worse than food from someone else's plate on your shoes, comfortable seats, space to put stuff so not all crammed in, and yes yes to high chairs that reach the table... working straps too! Can't tell you how many places I have been with either none or broken straps!

I don't agree with the healthy food brigade. My little lad is 16 months old. In the last 2 months we allowed him have food that wouldn't be categorised as "healthy". Hoping to teach him everything in moderation.

Our main things for eating out
-Clean tray on the high chair
-clean table

Apart from that our first McDonald's trip was great and we look forward to more (in moderation )

Must have decent vegetarian options. Clean toilets are a must too, as are clean tables. I like having a take out option too.

When choosing somewhere to eat as a family our main considerations are cleanliness, range on menu appeals to everyone and fast service.
Things which are a bonus- colouring activities, range of veggie options (only 1 burger in McDonald’s!) and tap water which never is an issue normally but seems to be in McDs.
Some very good points already made about the plastic tat in happy meals and a tween sized meal option.
Personally I would like the fruit bag to come as standard in the happy meal and the chips not to be already salted.

animal welfare.

Comfortable environment, good food at reasonable pricesR

I've always looked for plenty of highchairs and no balloons! I physically cannot eat if there's a chance of balloon bursting two feet from my head.

Also, since my husband got diagnosed with coeliac disease, McDonald's has been a no-go area as he can't bear to sit and eat a salad while I'm loading chicken nuggets into my face. More gluten free options please!

We used the table service at a local mcdonalds recently and it was great!
I agree with other posters, if we come to mcdonalds its for a treat. However, I think the “healthy” options in a happy meal are unappetising because they dont match with the meal and are cold - I know I wouldnt want cold carrot sticks with a burger, or apple chunks for that matter. How about offering a mini corn cob, or some cherry tomatoes or a healthy low fat coleslaw?