# McDonalds is having a day **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 8, 2024, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575 "2024-10-08T21:05:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2024, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/21 "2024-10-08T23:29:39Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > but apparently I have 33k of their points. I should see what I can get with those. One order of fries. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2024, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/22 "2024-10-08T23:33:46Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > (Order on the app, though, and they’ve got a coupon you can use once every day for a FREE large fry with the purchase of a small soda for $1. Someone with an economics degree please explain this to me.) The app is the only way that McDonald’s has any appeal to me. Using the app makes it feel sane. Though I so rarely eat fast food, like maybe once every few months or so. My wife eats there frequently, and she had some deal for a free order of nuggets. She used that with the free fry deal on the app, and was able to get nuggets (I believe it was a 6 piece), fries, and a large drink for like $1.50. (McDonald’s no longer offers every drink size for $1 anymore, but it’s still relatively cheap compared to its competitors.) So that was a really great deal. But again, that was after collecting points or whatever, and you know she was probably spending a lot on burgers or breakfast sandwiches over months to get those points. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2024, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/23 "2024-10-08T23:33:57Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I have 33k of their points. I should see what I can get with those. It appears to be five quarter pounders with cheese and a large iced coffee. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2024, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/24 "2024-10-08T23:40:17Z")
What I want to know is why the company named themselves after something that could easily be read as “lamb fries”. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2024, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/25 "2024-10-08T23:42:15Z")
I don’t eat at McDonald’s very often, but I’ve gotten quite accustomed to ordering by app when I get fast food - aside from whatever coupons or deals they have, it’s just that much more convenient to order when I’m five minutes away from the restaurant, then walk in and grab my food without having to stand in line behind the only person in the world who’s never eaten at this place before and wants the clerk to explain the menu to them. Last time I went there I had enough points that I wound up paying about $2.50 after tax for a quarter pounder, large fries, and large drink. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/26 "2024-10-09T00:02:08Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > What I want to know is why the company named themselves after something that could easily be read as “lamb fries”. The company was founded by Gilbert Lamb in 1950, in Weston, Oregon. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/27 "2024-10-09T00:06:11Z")
> **[Wendy's To Phase Out Unpopular Hamburger Sandwich](https://theonion.com/wendys-to-phase-out-unpopular-hamburger-sandwich-1819571743/)** > > DUBLIN, OH—Representatives for the restaurant chain Wendy’s announced Tuesday that due to the item’s continually dismal performance, the company would be discontinuing the widely disliked hamburger sandwich. > Company sources also announced that they would be phasing out their unpopular French-fried potatoes, which were added to the menu in an ill-fated, and some said bizarre, attempt to find a pairing for the hamburger sandwich—a combination deemed “thoroughly unappetizing” by 95 percent of Wendy’s customers in a recent survey. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/28 "2024-10-09T00:13:22Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Here in Santa Barbara. one of the few places that I can get food on the way home from seeing live music and it’s late is a McD’s and I almost always order the same thing and I always use the app. I don’t even pay attention to the specials but apparently I have 33k of their points. I should see what I can get with those. You’re in Santa Barbara, home of Habit Burger, and you’re stopping at _McDonalds_ on the way home? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/29 "2024-10-09T00:21:19Z")
Habit has been closed for hours by the time I am headed home. My other choice is the Taco Bell across the street. But don’t get me started about the Habit. The original one was so good. They had the best greasy chili ever and is a dump. I loved it. The franchises are cleaned up versions and never had the chili. The original has been in Goleta for over thirty years having first been in Isla Vista for many years. It operates independently from the chain. They stopped serving the chili two years ago and they are dead to me. Overall I prefer In-n-Out but not having to wait for 45 minutes to get my food. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/30 "2024-10-09T01:42:43Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > If we go somewhere like 5-Guys their fries are STUPID expensive! Once a month I get a doordash order from 5-Guys. (Their restaurant is in an area I just never go to.) I get a burger, fries and a milkshake. I get the small fries which I think are around $5. And every time they send me enough fries to feed a family. I thought it was a fluke the first time, but, no, I get a bag _full_ of fries every time. I eat maybe a third of them and use the rest for mashed potatoes the next day. Maybe they aren’t selling as many and need to get rid of them but it seems like they could just cook less if that’s the case. 🤷‍♀️ ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/31 "2024-10-09T01:51:25Z")
I just ran an order on GrubHub for Five Guys where I live for a burger (cheapest one, plain), smallest fries and a soda. Stupidly expensive. I don’t want to pay for so many fries I can’t eat them. If I want mashed potatoes the next day I can buy a spud or two from the market for a lot less. [![](https://i.imgur.com/SNevGPL.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/SNevGPL.png) ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/32 "2024-10-09T01:54:28Z")
The 5 Guys extra fries in the bottom of the bag thing is their universal policy. It’s smart marketing. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/33 "2024-10-09T02:02:48Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > I eat maybe a third of them and **use the rest for mashed potatoes the next day**. Wait, what? How the heck do you turn fries into mashed potatoes? Wouldn’t properly greasy/salty fries try to separate? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/34 "2024-10-09T02:08:58Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > My other choice is the Taco Bell across the street. Taco Bell’s app is a must with how odd their pricing scheme is. You can order a cheesy gordita crunch by itself for $5.89… or you can order the app-exclusive “Build Your Own Cravings Box” with a cheesy gordita crunch, a 5-layer burrito, chips and nacho cheese, and a medium drink, for $6.49. It’s like the menu price is a tax on people who are bad at technology. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/35 "2024-10-09T02:13:35Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > And it gets you in EVERY day. 🙂 So you’re still paying, what $2-3 for the soda with the $1 fries, lots of small profit, minimal employee effort and time with no sandwich, and lots of turnover. Not to mention @kenobi_65’s point about you wander in for your “deal” but are hungry for more and order something _else_ which adds up. The fries are free with a $1.29 soda. I’ve paid $1.28 + tax for medium fries and medium soda many times (more than 20 times this year, I’m sure). My daughter and dog eat the fries. I enjoy my Diet Coke. It’s a beach day tradition in our family. I’m sure they aren’t losing money on the transaction, but if everyone just did that they’d not be able to cover labor and rent. I’ve probably had the 99c large coffee at McDonald’s over 100 times just this year, and probably 500 times in the last four years. It’s better than Dunkin for sure, and the queue is much shorter. I almost never pay “full price” on the app for anything except the occasional soda for a whopping $1.29. I can always get some kind of discount. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/36 "2024-10-09T02:18:58Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Stupidly expensive. Yeah, it’s expensive. Fortunately, I live in Memphis where the cost of living is a bit more reasonable. My burger is $8.70 with fries at $5.58. It’s something I treat myself to so I don’t mind. My sticker shock is going to a regular fast food place and finding out how much that stuff has gone up. I don’t do that often enough to keep up with evolving prices. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > How the heck do you turn fries into mashed potatoes? Heh. Calling it mashed potatoes might have been generous. I just chop them up, smash them, nuke them with a little water and mix with mayo. (I love to dip my fries in mayo.) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/37 "2024-10-09T02:22:37Z")
But it seems to me based on the reporting in the thread, and presumably IRL to be an extreme outlier in profiting off the program without doing a lot of secondary purchases, such as @Atamasama’s wife. So power to you, and people like you are probably a part of why McDonalds is having the sort of problems mentioned. Not that I care about their profit margin as they were leading inflation in terms of pricing, far ahead of everyone else according to earlier reporting. > [@aurora\_maire](#): > > > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > > > How the heck do you turn fries into mashed potatoes? > > Heh. Calling it mashed potatoes might have been generous. I just chop them up, smash them, nuke them with a little water and mix with mayo. (I love to dip my fries in mayo.) Why not reheat them in an air-fryer, and add cheese curds and gravy? Quick and easy poutine! Or your favorite chili mix and shredded cheese, or some smooth refritos and cotija… Aaaaand now I’m hungry. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/38 "2024-10-09T02:32:20Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Why not reheat them in an air-fryer, and add cheese curds and gravy? Oh, you silly people with your fancy appliances and cooking skills. 😁 I don’t have either one. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/39 "2024-10-09T02:33:17Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > Fortunately, I live in Memphis where the cost of living is a bit more reasonable. My burger is $8.70 with fries at $5.58. You can get a better burger at Huey’s for $8.25. Fries or tots for $6.45. Marlowe’s for $14 burger and $4 fries. Alex’s Tavern (can’t find prices but looks reasonable). Point is, you have soooo many options in Memphis for around the same price that are likely a lot better why settle for a fast-casual overpriced burger? Just Google best burger Memphis and you get lots of answers. The one answer you never get is Five Guys. ETA: Of course, it is your money and your tummy. Spend whatever you like and eat whatever you like (really). If Five Guys is your favorite then great…enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575/40 "2024-10-09T02:47:54Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > One order of fries. 😉 Yup. Those points are as valuable as Skee-Ball tickets. 33,000 tickets will get you a comb. Takes 3X that to get a squirt gun. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-is-having-a-day/1008575.md?page=3)