Three large fries ordered at the counter costs over ten dollars.
When they began "value meals" last summer (which don't include their flagship items) they also removed the best deals from the app, the ones that did include Big Mac, QPC, 10-nuggets. I've placed one non-breakfast order in 6-8 months, whenever they started this.
I'm just one person, but if a customer declines from an expected 15-20 visits over a half-year period to 1, and you don't adjust your offer algorithm (and you're the biggest restaurant company in the world so no lack of resources), something is seriously wrong.
But the more people use the app, the less cashiers they need and the less ordering kiosks they have to install. Plus customer satisfaction goes up because you can order ahead and your food is ready when you arrive. And getting used to the discounts means you probably won't switch to Burger King or Wendy's.
I think additional user data is a relatively minor part of it.
That just sounds like a great way to get cold McDonald's...
> I think additional user data is a relatively minor part of it.
You're probably right about that, but I've always undervalued user data because I don't think it's ethical to exploit people like that.
I'm sure that a well-timed push notification suggesting a personalized meal deal right around hungry-o'clock is the real goal of pushing this stupid app on their customers.
The food does NOT start cooking when you order it if you’re picking up at drive thru. It starts cooking when you pull up to drive thru and give the magic code.
In fact if the food is not easy to prepare you get put in a special parking space, where you wait for your order to be prepared. If it includes soft drinks they might serve those before they make you go park.
At this point, being a fast food chain that doesnt have an app with deals is probably not viable - but I am very skeptical it generates any loyalty.
Don't they have only the last 4 digits and the issuer of the card? It is likely enough but there will be some noise.
Not to mention any potential legal trouble if they used the card details without explicit consent. App contracts will get around that.
This is kind of hilarious and depressing but I live in a high enough cost of living city in the states and I order mcd’s rarely enough that I cannot tell contextually whether your statement indicates this is overpriced or underpriced.
Ask for a “bundle box” next time you’re there. They’re usually named after a local sports team.
Two Big Macs, two cheeseburgers, two fries, and a 10-piece nuggets for $12-15 depending on the market.
I think retail for just the Big Macs is that much these days.
No app required.
However since the rollout of "value meals" last summer, they took away some of the better deals and now McDonald's is simply expensive (for McDonald's) even with the app.
