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I think we can all agree that, when you think “fast food”, there’s one name that stands out above all others – McDonalds! (Or, as it’s fondly referred to in our house, “The Golden Arches!”)

I think all mums know that “Eeeek!” moment when you realise you forgot to buy something for tea (dinner for you southerners!). Or the night when you’re just plain exhausted from mum-ing all day and you just can’t face cooking…

Time for a cheeky McDonalds!

Well on Wednesday last week, I was invited for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Aldwarke Lane store in Rotherham.

McDonalds: Ordering Food

There’s nothing worse than trying to order your food with a toddler dangling from your neck, and a 6yo swinging on the back of your coat.

I’ve been there!

The other option is to sit the kids at a table, try to remember everyone’s order and then queue up (whilst glaring at them across the restaurant as they knock ten bells out of each other!)

Been there too – not ideal!

But McDonalds have given us a third option straight from the digital age! Mobile ordering, kiosks, and table service are being rolled out across the UK and they make such a difference.

You can use the mobile app to choose your food before you even arrive in store. Then when you arrive, the order is beamed directly to the McDonalds kitchen, so that they can make it fresh, exactly how you want it.

Or order at the kiosk and chill out while the staff prepare your food and deliver it to your table!

Did you know that it’s not just kids who can swap their chips for a fruit bag? Adult meals too can be served with either fries, a side salad, a fruit bag, or carrot sticks!

But using the kiosk meant I could see exactly what my options were, instead of just ordering my usual.

McDonalds: Entertainment

Hubby and I could list every playground, duck pond and skate park within a 30 mile radius of our house! And restaurants with indoor play facilities are like gold dust to young families!

Lots of McDonalds restaurants have play areas for children, and this one had a digital play area too. (If our local restaurant is reading, PLEASE install one of these – we’d be there every week! Haha)

Lots of the restaurants also have iPads and phone-charging facilities which are totes free! Happy days!

Whether you want to check work emails or take a few well-deserved moments for yourself, you can, knowing the littlies are fully entertained. For me, those precious few minutes to quietly drink my coffee while the kids are playing is invaluable (and a sneaky Chocolate Muffin doesn’t go amiss either!)

McDonalds: Kitchen

Then we headed into the kitchen. I was far too excited to put on a McDonalds uniform and get my own badge!

In the past, McDonalds has had a bad rap, but they’re working hard to change all that. Everything is made to order or, as McDonalds put it, “Made for you”. Gone are the days of batch-making burgers. Now, each order is sent to the kitchen digitally and the staff put it together on demand.

That means it’s super fresh.

But the most exciting part of the trip was making my own Big Mac… and then eating it without little people trying to “share”! Om nom nom!

Conclusion

McDonalds are working hard to evolve and excel at what they do. The new technologies will be a big help to families and, of course, you just can’t beat a Happy Meal for value! It’s a thumbs up from this mama!

To find out more about the changes taking place in McDonalds stores, click here.

So what is your go-to meal from McDonalds? Have you tried out the new kiosks or mobile app and what did you think? Let me know in the comments section below 🙂

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by McDonalds. All opinions are my own. For more info, check out my disclosure policy. 

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