17 Things McDonald’s Employees Won’t Tell You
Updated: Mar. 20, 2024
Here’s what people working for those famous golden arches wish you knew.
You can pay less for your favorite meal
Saving big on your favorite Mickey D’s order isn’t rocket science—and we know the best deals. Try ordering a sausage muffin ($1.29) and a side of round egg ($1) to make a cheaper version of the Sausage Egg McMuffin ($3.29). Other menu hacks: A sundae with a McFlurry topping is cheaper than a McFlurry, and ordering any sauce on the side is free of charge. Don’t miss more mind-blowing facts about McDonald’s.
The ice cream machine really does break down
No, we’re not lying—there is a reason why it seems the ice cream machines are always broken. If the mixes for McFlurries and milkshakes are poured in the wrong sections, the entire machine could be out of commission for the day. You might be better off ordering a soda, instead.
There is no “secret menu”
Apparently, there is no “secret menu” as such. But if you ask for an off-the-menu item, we might not know how to make it. Just tell us exactly what you want; we will whip up almost anything we have the ingredients for. Looking to shake up your usual order? This McDonald’s has the best menu in the world.
Know your order before you reach the register
If you’ve been standing in a long line, be ready to order when it’s your turn. Your indecisiveness can be a major inconvenience for us—not to mention the other customers waiting behind you in line.
Drive-throughs can’t serve you on foot
Same goes for customers on bicycles and electric scooters. According to McDonald’s policy, we can only serve people who are driving a motorized vehicle in the drive-thru lane. Trust us, it’s for your own safety.
You might pay more for certain ingredients
Ordering double lettuce and double cheese on your Big Mac, for example, will cost you an extra 20 or 30 cents each. Luckily, you don’t have to pay more for the secret ingredient that makes McDonald’s French fries so addictive.
Bring cash
Craving McDonald’s at 2 a.m.? Make sure you have cash on hand. Because the 24-hour locations must restart their cash register systems every night, there is always a certain time period when we can only accept cash.
Also, don’t forget to get your receipt at McDonald’s, here’s why.
You can get creative with the sauce
You won’t always love the sauce that comes with your order. But just ask us to substitute another sauce, instead—and don’t worry, we won’t charge you for it. Just make sure you’re not eating at the most expensive McDonald’s in the world.
We don’t wear gloves—but it’s sanitary
Rest assured that employees are required to wash their hands at least once an hour. Gloves, on the other hand, can harbor a lot more bacteria than our clean fingertips. You’ll want to be sure you’re not ordering this drink ever, though.
Artisanal sandwiches are the most time-consuming menu items to make
So be prepared to wait a little longer for your order. (The chicken alone takes an average of eight minutes to prepare!) Same goes for Happy Meals; the toy, drink, and dessert take extra time to track down.
The egg McMuffins are made with real eggs
We physically crack the shells and use special rings on the grill to make them perfectly round. It’s the only breakfast item on the menu that uses real eggs, too.
You should always ask for a receipt
Certain people are paid to visit McDonald’s restaurants and rate their experiences online, and they are reimbursed for their purchase. So if a customer asks for a receipt, we are more likely to serve that customer first and give them the freshest food.
It’s tougher to get hired than you think
Although our jobs might seem easy, a surprising number of applicants are turned down in the hiring process.
We’re not allowed to sit down…
Employees who work the drive-through window often remain standing for many hours at a time. All that standing can make our lower backs and feet ache.
…But we get great employee discounts
Working for the famous golden arches has its perks. Popular companies like Apple, Via Rail, Hotels.com and Payless all give us sweet discounts.
Avoid apple pies and breakfast burritos…
Since they’re among the least-ordered items on our menu, they can stay on the shelves for a long time. Translation: They might not be as fresh as you think. By the way, this is the secret ingredient that makes McDonald’s apple pies so amazing.
…But the beef is Grade A
This might surprise you, but our burgers are made of high-quality meat. The only ingredients we add are salt and pepper.
[Sources: Eat This, Business Insider, The Sun]
Next: Find out why filet-o-fish tartar sauce is always off-center.
