McDonalds Charging for Condiments!

[agnes!]

DH went to a McD's and was charged a dining in fee of about 40 cents.

*Seriously*?!? Unbelievable(almost)....I wouldn't ever be going back. I'd also make sure that McDonald's corporate knew why.

agnes!

 

[umaangel00]

As far as I know my MCD's hasn't started charging yet either. If they do, I will take my business elsewhere!

 

[deltachi8]

You know increased costs hit businesses too. They need to be able to cover these costs somehow, so they can either raise prices across the board or charge for extras - which not everyone uses.

It's similar to an airline deciding to charge for bags rather than rasining the ticket price.

Either way, they get to increase revenue, at least with the former, a consumer can decide if the extra costs are worth it or not.

 

[wardfamily1]

JMO: Those ketchup should be about 4 times the size that they currently are. The cost is in the packaging, not the product. Bringing the DK's to McD's, we easily go though 12 packs of ketchup for 3 small fries.

 

[eliza61]

The McDonalds near me has a sign that says that they are charging for extra condiments. They give you a few with your meal, but if you want more, you are charged for the extra.

That's what they are doing at my local mcdonalds.

 

[abeyst]

JMO: Those ketchup should be about 4 times the size that they currently are. The cost is in the packaging, not the product. Bringing the DK's to McD's, we easily go though 12 packs of ketchup for 3 small fries.

I agree! I use 5 for a large fry. (Used to be 6 before they started skimping on filling the fry containers ) I'd be happy making a larger package. Not to mention it's a pain to open so many packages - and you can't use them in the car while driving!

 

[DebMcDonald]

The McDonalds near me has a sign that says that they are charging for extra condiments. They give you a few with your meal, but if you want more, you are charged for the extra.

Mine is doing the same.

When I worked at McDonald's when I was 16 (not telling how many years ago, but too many to count ) we used to have to ask them how many they wanted if they asked for salt or ketchup and the look on their face was priceless and most of the time it was give me a handful.

 

[GoofysOnlyGirl]

I work at Chick-fil-a and we are instructed to ONLY give one package of sauce per customer, two ketchup packages, and one of any other condiment[mayonaise, mustard, ect.], unless the customer asks for more. It gets annoying though when someone orders lets say a 4 nugget[and if you no our nuggets they are somewhat small...] and want like 3 packages of bbq sauce with it. I can use one package of sauce on a 3 strip.
& we recently put our ketchup and mayonaise out on the counter, to make it more convenient], and people will randomly walk over and just grab a handful of ketchup. Its ridiculous in my opinion and I can see why it has led to mcdonald's charging for extra sauce...

 

[dzorn]

Well I just went to drive thru at BK for DD who wanted fries and ice water. I had a bottle of water in the car but she wanted ice. Ordered the largest fry and a glass of ice water. The charge for water now. I could see if I was wanting a bottle of water but a glass of water I thought was silly. I told them to forget the fries they lost a customer.

Love,
Denise

 

[DawnM]

If malt vinegar is offered, I prefer that, but usually it isn't here in the States, so I will use ketchup. I love the places that do offer malt vinegar though....noone else in my family likes it and so whatever batch I pour the vinegar over, is MINE!

Dawn

I was in London 23 years ago and was charged for each packet of ketchup. I was shocked. It was equal to about 7 cents in American money. One day I walked into a little grocery store and and bought a small bottle of ketchup that I carried in my backpack from then on out.

I remember when I asked for ketchup, the McD's employee said, "What? Tomato sauce?" Most people out there put vinegar on their fries which are called "chips" and chips are called "crisps" and cookies are called "biscuits." I had to really think before saying the wrong thing.

 

[Grumpy'sWife4Ever]

If malt vinegar is offered, I prefer that, but usually it isn't here in the States, so I will use ketchup. I love the places that do offer malt vinegar though....noone else in my family likes it and so whatever batch I pour the vinegar over, is MINE!

Dawn

My DH and I go to a local seafood place that has malt vinegar on the table, and we have discovered we LOVE it on our fish and fries! We bought some to use at home, it is really tasty.

 

[swilshire]

Are anyone elses McDonalds charging for condiments or is ours just a test resturant?

We saw that a lot in England last year. Don't think I've ever seen it in this country. Of course, I go to McDonalds about once a year.

Sheila

 

[freedogshampoo]

I remember when I asked for ketchup, the McD's employee said, "What? Tomato sauce?" Most people out there put vinegar on their fries which are called "chips" and chips are called "crisps" and cookies are called "biscuits." I had to really think before saying the wrong thing.

 

[Nie0214]

I don't see a problem with it. If you shop at some stores like IKEA, they charge 5 cents+ for plastic bags.

It amazes me how people feel entitled to things just because they previously got them "for free". Keep in mind that the price of a burger used to absorb the cost of these extra perks, but now to keep the cost of the burger the same as before, they need to charge for the perks. The whole country is struggling, that means businesses too. I also think that charging for these extra little things will maybe help Americans stop being over-indulgers, wasteful, etc.

Well I just went to drive thru at BK for DD who wanted fries and ice water. I had a bottle of water in the car but she wanted ice. Ordered the largest fry and a glass of ice water. The charge for water now. I could see if I was wanting a bottle of water but a glass of water I thought was silly. I told them to forget the fries they lost a customer.

Love,
Denise

They have to pay for the cups, why should it be free?

I agree! I use 5 for a large fry. (Used to be 6 before they started skimping on filling the fry containers ) I'd be happy making a larger package. Not to mention it's a pain to open so many packages - and you can't use them in the car while driving!

Sometimes it amazes me the things people do/try-to-do while driving.

 

[MAH4546]

This isn't a McDonald's corporate thing.

Most McDonald's are owned by franchisers. The franchiser has the option to charge for condiments. What one franchiser does, however, is not represenative of an overall shift at McDonald's Corportation to charging for condiments.

In some European countries, charging for condiments is the norm like in Germany. Though in others like Greece and Italy, charging for condiments is nearly unheard of.

 

[MAH4546]

They have to pay for the cups, why should it be free?

Because it is illegal. In almost every state (if not every state), restaurants must provide free tap water.

If you find a McDonald's charging for water - even if they are charging for the cups (a loophole that works in a very small amount of states, but in most states is still not allowed) - report them to corporate or the local better business bureau. They are breaking the law and face a large a fine.

 

[sherry7]

I work at Chick-fil-a and we are instructed to ONLY give one package of sauce per customer, two ketchup packages, and one of any other condiment[mayonaise, mustard, ect.], unless the customer asks for more. It gets annoying though when someone orders lets say a 4 nugget[and if you no our nuggets they are somewhat small...] and want like 3 packages of bbq sauce with it. I can use one package of sauce on a 3 strip.
& we recently put our ketchup and mayonaise out on the counter, to make it more convenient], and people will randomly walk over and just grab a handful of ketchup. Its ridiculous in my opinion and I can see why it has led to mcdonald's charging for extra sauce...

The Chick-fil-a in our mall has most of the condiments at a separate small counter...ketchup, mayo, sugar, Splenda, napkins, straws, etc. Everything except salad dressing and nugget sauce. I see most people grabbing handfuls of it, which is wasteful.

The Burger King by us ALWAYS puts several packets of salt in the bag, without asking, but no other condiments (unless you ask). Now, just how many people actually add salt to their fast food? Probably not many, as it's really salty to begin with.

I haven't been to a McDonald's in several months, so I'm not sure what their condiment policy is.

I think most of this problem could be solved by training the employees correctly, so they don't hand out handfuls of things. I worked at a McD's during high school, and we were trained to give out a specific number of items, depending on the size of the product ordered, unless the customer specifically asked for more.

 

[kcromley]

can you provide a citation for that claim that it is illegal? I've never heard of such a state law, and would be very surprised if it existed. any state citation would do. thanks!

 

[Nie0214]

Because it is illegal. In almost every state (if not every state), restaurants must provide free tap water.

If you find a McDonald's charging for water - even if they are charging for the cups (a loophole that works in a very small amount of states, but in most states is still not allowed) - report them to corporate or the local better business bureau. They are breaking the law and face a large a fine.

Please cite where the law states this. I can't find it anywhere for the United States. There does seem to be one law for the UK--places that serve alcohol (pub/bar) must serve free tap-water; it doesn't seem to apply for restaurants--but I see nothing for the US.

 

[donald&daisy]

I don't see a problem charging for condiments. I mean, I would rather them be free, but not much in life is free, so I guess it doesn't really bother me. They are a business so I'm sure if they get too much backlash they'll hike the price of the actual food up to cover the cost. Clearly there is a problem on both the side of the consumer who abuses the system and the employees who gives it away by the handful. At the end of the day it would not stop me from eating there because I feel like they have a fair reason to charge me for the condiments, I am using them afterall.