Here’s Why You Should Ask for a Receipt at McDonald’s

Have you ever found yourself with such a craving for fast-food that you went out of our way to order it, only to have it be cold and not-so-fresh? Unfortunately, I have. It’s a real downer.

Now, say your favorite fast-food locale is McDonald’s. I can show you to the way to fresh, fast food from McDonald’s almost every time. All you need to do is ask for a little piece of paper.

Why should I ask for a McDonald’s receipt?

It might sound funny, but it has to do with how McDonald’s employees are trained. Employees are on the lookout for secret shoppers or mystery shoppers. These customers are paid to order from McDonald’s and give them reviews on the quality of food (mostly the bestselling menu items) and customer service. And this is isn’t something that only happens once in a while—it’s a few times a day!

So what’s the importance of asking for a receipt? These special customers are reimbursed for their meals, so asking for a receipt is commonplace. Employees even have projected windows for these customers to order, between 12-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Asking for a receipt sends a signal to the McDonald’s employees to make sure your meal is fresh and delicious.

Here are the secrets McDonald’s employees won’t tell you.

Should I keep other fast-food receipts?

If you love bargains and discounts, absolutely! When reading the bottoms of fast-food receipts, you’ll often notice a promo deal for taking a small survey. These deals can be as tiny as a small fry or as large as an entire chicken sandwich. The deals don’t run out and typically renew with each purchase, but most are time sensitive. Make sure to fill out those surveys ASAP to keep your endless line of free food coming.

Other McDonald’s Hacks You Need to Know

Asking for a receipt isn’t the only way to get a fresh batch of fries. Simply ask for fries without salt. Since McDonald’s fries are automatically salted, they’ll make a new batch just for you. Just add the salt yourself.

The McDonald’s secret menu is another source of fast-food delight. The long list of menu items has all kinds of new combinations, like the Land, Air and Sea. If you’re looking for a drink hack, try the McFloat. Just remember… ask for a receipt!