The Busy Mums’ Guide To McDonalds


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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 Big Mac In the Kitchen

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.

McDonalds Kiosk and table service

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!

McDonalds Chips

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 Balloons

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)

McDonalds Play Area

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

McDonalds Free Phone Charger Facilities

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 IPad

McDonalds Seating Area

McDonalds: Kitchen

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

McDonalds Uniform and 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.

McDonalds Sauces

McDonalds Fresh Salad Ingredients

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!

McDonalds Big Mac Made By Me!

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.

McDonalds Burger Boxes

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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22 Comments

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  1. 1
    The Squirmy Popple

    I have to admit that I’m not a big McDonald’s fan – being a vegetarian, there’s not really a whole lot for me to eat there. I like all the digital stuff, though – I hope more restaurants move in that direction. #dreamteam

  2. 4
    RawMum

    I don’t get much choice as I’m dairy intolerant but I have to admit there are times when I just have to get a burger and fries. Good to know they are evolving. #dreamteam

  3. 5
    Kathryn Hipkin

    Not that keen on having screens absolutely EVERYWHERE and the last time I used one of those digital things, the coffee I got was cold. However I confess to a sneaky liking for a McDonalds latte (even more so since I had the misfortune to have a Starbucks one) so I guess I’ll still be going from time to time. Usually the kids just go with their dad as they like the food there.

  4. 6
    chickenruby

    i can’t cope with the order screens, i want to speak to a real person. i’ve noticed the introduction of tabs in restaurants now and i think it’s a step too far, the meal, toy and possible play area should really be enough to entertain kids with, we don’t have to go over board on technology everywhere #triumphanttales

  5. 7
    Mrs Mummy Harris

    Oh my god Lucy, this might be a featured post purely for mentioning McDonalds hahaha! I have a big thing for McFlurry’s right now. So to go behind the scenes would turn me into a diabetic hahah!
    Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week!

  6. 9
    Amy - The Rolling Baby

    Ooh, I didn’t know any of their stores were doing this – looks very up to date and modern 🙂 And, yes to an indoor play area – what a great idea. I’ve never seen one in a McDonalds, although I have in some of their rival food chains. #StayClassyMama

  7. 12
    Ali Duke

    We have the touch screen thing at our local Mcdonalds. It definitley makes things easier. I didn’t see the phone chargers though, that would have been nice as my phone always seems to be running low when I am out lol.
    #TriumphantTales

  8. 15
    mummyhereandthere

    Yes, love the new ordering system, less stressful when it is busy. However, I have always found Mcdonalds staff super helpful X #stayclassymama

  9. 17
    Katy - Hot Pink Wellingtons

    I’m not ashamed to admit it, I love a cheeky McDonalds! I’m always a quarter pounder meal, and I love that it’s guaranteed that my fussy eater will always demolish a chicken nugget Happy Meal. We need play areas in our local McDonalds though, I’ve never seen them! Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove

  10. 18
    Laura - dear bear and beany

    We love a cheeky McDonalds and I agree they have got much better over the years. It’s all about moderation like with everything in life. I hope our local ones gets a play area, that would be amazing. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove

  11. 20
    Heather Keet

    I had no idea that tea was dinner. I always assumed when I read it in a blog post that you guys had a snack between lunch and dinner time. Now I understand why everybody talks about tea so religiously, it’s actually dinner! And here I was thinking you guys just really love snack time as a country!

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