14 Happy Meals? Really?

[daughtersrus]

I have to chime in to say that McDonald's has great fountain soda! Atleast the one I frequent does. I will often go through just for their caffeine-free diet Coke. And often, if it's busy, they'll give me my drink right through the first "pay" window and bypass the "food" one all together.

Coke makes a special syrup just for McDonald's. That's why it tastes so good.

 

[luvsJack]

Ok, so you would be perfectly fine with waiting behind me in line in the drive-thru while I asked detailed questions about each and every menu item, had a discussion about it with my passengers, and then, after about 20 minutes or so, placing my order through the intercom? Then, when I got to the pay window, figuring out how to split the bill between me and the passengers, paying after about 5 minutes worth of calculating and counting money. Uh oh - then I decide the add something to my order and ask some more questions about menu items, and think about it for a bit and then place my order. Then we go through another 5 minutes of calculations and paying. And, finally, 30 minutes after I got to the menu board, I'm at the window to receive my food. I check each and every order as it comes out and discover that one of them is wrong - well, it was not ordered correctly so it needs to be changed. More questions about menu items and discussions ensue and another order is placed. More calculations and paying are done as the original calculations are rendered invalid due to the incorrect order. Now, it's aobut 45 minutes after I (and you!) arrived at the drive-thru and I finally have my food and you're finally getting yours. But you're ok with this because it was convenient for me.

Keep in mind that this is not a "pull to the side and wait for your large order" situation. Each of these steps required interaction with the workers.

I'm sort of with the OP. If you're going to go through the drive-thru, make it as quick as possible. You can order 14 happy meals but there shouldn't be special orders and modifications from standard.

Good grief! What drive thru are you going to??? In all my years of grabbing food at the drive thru I have never encountered such.

What would anyone have to discuss about a McD's menu? Its either greasy hamburgers or greasy chicken or unhealthy salad; I mean not a lot of discussion necessary. Split the check? Well, you just tell them at the front end "I have 3 seperate orders"

As for checking the orders, I always do that. Gotten home too many times with someone's burger left off not to.

Every time we have had to wait more than a couple of minutes at McD's its been their fault not that of anyone in the drive thru line.


Actually, as slow as our McD's is; the longest waits I have had are at the Sonic drive thru. Keep in mind that Sonic is a DRIVE IN! No real idea of why they even have a drive thru. Learned in two visits, just drive up and have a car hop bring it out--much faster.

 

[Heidict]

http://hpedneau.hubpages.com/hub/To-Have-A-Pleasant-Drive-Thru-Experience

http://voices.yahoo.com/ten-things-drive-thru-attendant-8666005.html

The second one was just a bit melodramatic.

For many of these employees, the complimentary meals they receive during their shift are the only "groceries" they can afford and they count on them as part of their paycheck and to cure their own battle with hunger. Ask yourself if you mind paying an extra quarter for a Sweet N Sour dipping sauce if it means the attendant can eat today.

Seriously? While I'm sure this may be the case in a very small percentage of fast food workers, I really doubt it's that rampant. Even it is was, I'm supposed to not ask for an extra sauce because the worker may not get their free big mac that day? WTH? Talk about a guilt trip. I feel guilty enough eating this crap, I don't need to have it heaped on because of the workers financial situation.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And what about convenience stores? What is the magic cutoff for how many items a customer may purchase? Just as with drive thrus, there are no signs from the company limiting the number of items, but since you have a clear idea of how many items in the drive through is too many, you surely have an idea of how many items I should be allowed to purchase at WaWa (or the convenience store of your choice).

Please. Convenience stores are called that based on location and hours. McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, Sonic... They've never been referred to as convenience restaurants.

Invalid comparison. But buy as many items as you want at WaWa or whatever. Most items are priced higher than the supermarket or Target/Walmart. The convenience store owner or franchisee will appreciate your business - and your money .

 

[caitlinsmom]

Am I the only one who lives in an area that has signs telling you that you can not order more than 6 or so items through the drive thru?
I see these signs more often than not around here.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

Drive-thru is not an express lane. It is for the convenience of the driver. Frankly, I never use the drive-thru anywhere. Most of the time the drive-thru is 5-10 cars long at the places I go. I will go in and usually there is absolutely no one is inside; I order, get my food and go along my way in a much shorter time than those still waiting in the long drive-thru lane.

 

[iheartdisney]

Obviously you have never been to our McDonald's I have told them more than once they are the slowest fast food I have ever seen!!!

They are supposed to have something like a 45 second rule from the time the person pays to the time they get their food. So they just hold but everyone up at the pay window when they get backed up. Its much faster to go inside.

About the bolded...Did you ever wonder if you telling them repeatedly how slow their service is might actually be the cause of your slow service? And possibly extra loogie or two in your beverages?
There are few social rules that I see as universal. Not giving lip to the person preparing my food is CARVED IN STONE!!!
This thread has been such entertainment!

 

[luvsJack]

Am I the only one who lives in an area that has signs telling you that you can not order more than 6 or so items through the drive thru?
I see these signs more often than not around here.

None of the places around here have them. One or two have "no more than 5 seperate orders per car" but that's the only limits.

We have a place that is only drive-thru. No window to walk to, no inside seating at all (checker's maybe?). Well, one day I went to pick up lunch for me and two co-workers. The girl tells me over the loud speaker, "you can only have two seperate orders at the drive thru" HUH? so I said, "ok, how can I order three orders?" She rudely, said "you will have to come to the window" I did, quickly, and asked for the manager. Then, when I drove off in a huff, I realized I had to call the office and see what else my co-workers would like to eat.

 

[luvsJack]

About the bolded...Did you ever wonder if you telling them repeatedly how slow their service is might actually be the cause of your slow service? And possibly extra loogie or two in your beverages?
There are few social rules that I see as universal. Not giving lip to the person preparing my food is CARVED IN STONE!!!
This thread has been such entertainment!

I would consider that if the line for the drive thru is around the building and hanging in the road because they can't get the orders out. I figure there either must be a LOT of people telling them that or someone in that place knows way ahead when I am coming.

Besides, you rarely see the same person twice in that place.

 

[Scurvy]

Am I the only one who lives in an area that has signs telling you that you can not order more than 6 or so items through the drive thru?
I see these signs more often than not around here.

I've never seen a sign like that. In fact, several places near me have family size combos on the drive through menu, so they clearly expect and encourage large orders. Of course at places that do have rules about the size of orders they will take at the drive through, it would be rude to disregard that. If someplace has rules that that and you are unable or unwilling to go inside to order but need a large amount of food, your only choice would be to go somewhere else.

 

[dodukes]

Am I the only one who lives in an area that has signs telling you that you can not order more than 6 or so items through the drive thru?
I see these signs more often than not around here.

no we have some too that say you can order only 3 or 4 meals in the drive thru and thats it. I have to say I'm wit the large order, you go inside crowd. Ive done large orders and never had a problem getting it to my car.

I am also in the boat that if you need time to read the menu and decided or its only your first or second time there, GO INSIDE! I cant stand getting in the drive thru and seeing the people in front of me decied to start reading the board and contemplating what to get at the drive thru, andi dont mean a minute just to quick browse and order the right thing, i mean look, talk to someone in the car, look again, ask a question, etc....if uve never been to mcdonalds or the fast food place and need to look at menu GO INSIDE! At least that's what i do out of courtersy for those that may want a bit quicker service in the drive thru.

 

[ols386]

About the bolded...Did you ever wonder if you telling them repeatedly how slow their service is might actually be the cause of your slow service? And possibly extra loogie or two in your beverages?
There are few social rules that I see as universal. Not giving lip to the person preparing my food is CARVED IN STONE!!!
This thread has been such entertainment!

I agree. I always try to be polite to the person taking my order or preparing my food. I try to be polite anyways, but I do think that if one is impolite or downright rude to those in food service, there might be some who would just decide to spit in the food, or some other disgusting thing.

Personally, if I were going to order 14 happy meals, I would go inside, rather than the drive-thru.

 

[Coconut36]

Am I the only one who lives in an area that has signs telling you that you can not order more than 6 or so items through the drive thru?
I see these signs more often than not around here.

I can't think of a single place in my area where I have seen such a sign. I have never seen limits on the drive through.

Ditto the previous poster that talked about large "family pack" type combos (advertised on the drive through menu) or "party pack" combos that are ordered through the drive through. I have a KFC/Taco Bell combo where one could reasonable order a large order of chicken and a 12 (or is it 14?) party pack of tacos all in one order and I don't see them being upset by it since they have it out there on the drive through menu and NO restrictions (and I have been behind someone ordering multiple party packs and was never "inconvenienced" by it).

 

[ols386]

I've seen signs at some drive-thru's (not necessarily McDonalds) where they say not to place "separate" orders. To only place one order per vehicle, therefore, one bill (rather that several bills to pay individually).

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

I worked the Dunkin Donuts drive-thru throughout college, and we also had a 1:30 time limit. We just asked any car with a large order to pull forward and park. It wasn't a big deal/hassle at all.

Not disputing your experience, just offering my (slightly) different one.

Our owner would not let us hit serve until it was actually served. We did move them but had to 'hold' the order on the screen & were penalized for the time.

 

[MIGrandma]

Am I the only one who lives in an area that has signs telling you that you can not order more than 6 or so items through the drive thru?
I see these signs more often than not around here.

I have never seen signs like that, at any drive-through around here.

 

[scrapquitler]

Ok, so you would be perfectly fine with waiting behind me in line in the drive-thru while I asked detailed questions about each and every menu item, had a discussion about it with my passengers, and then, after about 20 minutes or so, placing my order through the intercom? Then, when I got to the pay window, figuring out how to split the bill between me and the passengers, paying after about 5 minutes worth of calculating and counting money. Uh oh - then I decide the add something to my order and ask some more questions about menu items, and think about it for a bit and then place my order. Then we go through another 5 minutes of calculations and paying. And, finally, 30 minutes after I got to the menu board, I'm at the window to receive my food. I check each and every order as it comes out and discover that one of them is wrong - well, it was not ordered correctly so it needs to be changed. More questions about menu items and discussions ensue and another order is placed. More calculations and paying are done as the original calculations are rendered invalid due to the incorrect order. Now, it's aobut 45 minutes after I (and you!) arrived at the drive-thru and I finally have my food and you're finally getting yours. But you're ok with this because it was convenient for me.

I have been behind you in line a couple of times.

I'm always amazed when I'm at McDonalds and behind someone in line (either inside or out) who asks so many questions. I always wonder, "Have the NEVER eaten at McDonalds before? how do they not know what is on the menu?"

 

[scrapquitler]

Am I the only one who lives in an area that has signs telling you that you can not order more than 6 or so items through the drive thru?
I see these signs more often than not around here.

Nope, never saw that. I did one place when traveling see a Dunkin Donuts with a sign that said "No sandwich orders in the drive thru between 6-10am". Other than that, I've never seen a limit sign on a drive thru other than at the bank (limit three transactions, no coins, no cashiers checks or money orders will be issued)

 

[marie1203]

14 happy meals . Eww I would be more concern of health than the time of ordering.

 

[Mkrop]

Oh no! According to this apparent drive through authority (they worked at one so they must be right!) lots of people are using the drive through wrong.
5. Drive Thrus are for people in a hurry, not people who are too lazy to go inside. If you need to order a meal for your entire family of four, six or more, park your car and step inside for a carry out order.

So if you have a family of four or more and they all want to eat, no more drive through for you!

Yeah because I know want that large family who may not have the best behaved kids in the restaurant

I mean dont people post around here if Junior isnt ready to dine in a restaurant you should take your food home.

Ok, so you would be perfectly fine with waiting behind me in line in the drive-thru while I asked detailed questions about each and every menu item, had a discussion about it with my passengers, and then, after about 20 minutes or so, placing my order through the intercom? Then, when I got to the pay window, figuring out how to split the bill between me and the passengers, paying after about 5 minutes worth of calculating and counting money. Uh oh - then I decide the add something to my order and ask some more questions about menu items, and think about it for a bit and then place my order. Then we go through another 5 minutes of calculations and paying. And, finally, 30 minutes after I got to the menu board, I'm at the window to receive my food. I check each and every order as it comes out and discover that one of them is wrong - well, it was not ordered correctly so it needs to be changed. More questions about menu items and discussions ensue and another order is placed. More calculations and paying are done as the original calculations are rendered invalid due to the incorrect order. Now, it's aobut 45 minutes after I (and you!) arrived at the drive-thru and I finally have my food and you're finally getting yours. But you're ok with this because it was convenient for me.

Keep in mind that this is not a "pull to the side and wait for your large order" situation. Each of these steps required interaction with the workers.

I'm sort of with the OP. If you're going to go through the drive-thru, make it as quick as possible. You can order 14 happy meals but there shouldn't be special orders and modifications from standard.

I would be annoyed with you no matter if I was behind you in the drive thru or in the line inside.

I have also been inside places where switching lines would take longer than standing behind the slow/large order bc the inside lines were so long.



I think we all need to head to Burger King...remeber their slogan
From 1973, Burger King ran a series of much-lampooned but successful television commercials in which employees sing: "Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce. Special orders don't upset us. All we ask is that you let us serve it your way!"