A former McDonald’s team coach has revealed some of the fast food giant’s best-kept secrets.
The Sydney man, who asked to remain anonymous, worked at McDonald’s for almost a decade while studying at school and university.
Now he’s shared the ordering tips every customer should know, including how to make sure your burger is fresh and your fries are hot.
FRESH BURGERS
While McDonald’s boasts of making burgers “fresh to order,” what it doesn’t tell customers is that the meat is pre-cooked and stored in a heated cabinet.
Workers are supposed to throw away the meat after the timer goes off.
Customers who request that their meat be made without salt or pepper are guaranteed a fresh burger, as the kitchen staff will have to place a new strip of meat on the grill.
FRESH FRIES
Like hamburgers, fries can often be left cold if workers don’t keep track of how long each batch has been there.
If you order your fries without salt, you are guaranteed hot and crispy fries.
Simply ask for some salt on the side (a free condiment at McDonald’s) and add it to your fresh fries (but be careful, you’ll infuriate the staff).
ALLERGIES = FRESH FOOD
While staff must change gloves regularly, keep the burger prep table clean, and waste old meat, things can get out of hand during peak hours.
If you want a flawless burger made right, I suggest saying that you are allergic to an ingredient or that it is gluten-free.
The kitchen staff takes allergy requests very seriously (there is a big liability if a customer gets sick), so they will wear clean gloves, wipe down the bench, and take extra precautions with your order.
NO ICE = FREE SODA
An old trick but a classic, if you are very thirsty but don’t have enough money to increase your coke, order a soda without ice.
Staff are trained to fill about a third of the glass with ice in a bid to save money on soft drinks.
But be warned, an “ice-free” soda isn’t for everyone: it won’t be as cold as you’re used to, and it will lack that refreshing icy touch.
NEVER ORDER A FISH FILLET LATE AT NIGHT
The Filet-o-Fish is an acquired taste and, as such, its demand is significantly less than that of other burgers such as the Big Mac or the Quarter Pounder.
As a result, the fish portion can often be left sitting on a heated shelf for hours, even though the policy clearly states that it must be removed after the time is up.
If your heart is set on a late-night Filet-o-Fish, I suggest you politely ask the manager if you can have a fresh burger.
PICKLES, TOMATO SAUCE, WATER, SALT AND PEPPER ARE FREE
Technically, customers have the right to order free pickles, ketchup, and salt and pepper, among other things.
Try your luck by ordering a large quantity of any of the above products. I’ve seen a customer walk out with a whole bag of free pickles.
BE POLITE
If you want quality customer service and fresh food, you’ll be surprised how much of a difference it makes to treat staff decently.
The employees working the counter almost always go out of their way to make sure customers get fresh burgers if they ask nicely.
Conversely, customers who treat staff like they are their slaves will likely end up with that old cheeseburger or flat soda.