Ordering Fast Food 101

[CZroe]

How many customers would point at the sign and say "I wann dat."?

Even if their customers are illiterate, which I'd guesstimate as approximately 40% based on my last trip into a McDonald's, everyone knows numerals 0 - 9. Any good business caters to their customers needs, and McDonald's customers need less words.

Order by color would actually be better in that regard. "I wann green." doesn't even require knowing numerals. I think I'm going to give Ronald a call tomorrow.

Bad idea. One in 10 males are Red/Green color-blind. I am, as is my twin brother, Ichinisan. Also, there aren't nearly as many distinct colors as there are numbers and many menus would run out.

 

[allisolm]

When "Americans" happened.

the fast food industry just decided that Americans were too stupid

Nobody does "stupid" quite like an American.

Americans are too stupid to figure out what they want

Methinks somebody's trying way too hard.

 

[WelshBloke]

I always get stuck behind some idiot with a massive order who wants to customise each fucking sandwich. Your in fucking McDonalds, you're going to end up with a shitty burger anyway, just have it as it comes and get the fuck out of my way.

Also what do they make their bread out of? It doesn't seem to be made from bread.

 

[Lifted]

Bad idea. One in 10 males are Red/Green color-blind. I am, as is my twin brother, Ichinisan. Also, there aren't nearly as many distinct colors as there are numbers and many menus would run out.

Then you'd be fucked if you're color blind, illiterate, and don't know basic numerals. I don't think ordering from McDonald's would be your major concern at that point.

It's a good thing you're literate. Not sure I can say the same about your brother.

 

[Saint Nick]

They need to ask you because if they screw up your order then they'll have hell to pay for that...might as well ask up front. But apparently they have hell to pay for asking that question too...moral of the story is you just can't win as a cashier at a fast food joint.

 

[kranky]

I did not know that the numbers could mean either the combo or just the sandwich. I thought a "number 3" automatically meant the combo.

When I want a combo I order by the number. When I don't want a combo I order by naming the items. "Whopper with cheese, no mayo".

Learned something new today.

 

[MotionMan]

When I want a combo I order by the number. When I don't want a combo I order by naming the items. "Whopper with cheese, no mayo".

This is how it SHOULD work.

MotionMan

 

[SandEagle]

This is how it SHOULD work.

MotionMan

while i sympathize with your unfortunate 1stworldproblem, 99.99% of the time it DOES work like this. your situation is an isolated incident and does not speak for everyone else.

 

[Saint Nick]

while i sympathize with your unfortunate 1stworldproblem, 99.99% of the time it DOES work like this. your situation is an isolated incident and does not speak for everyone else.

Uh oh...not a good move, Chessmaster

 

[MotionMan]

while i sympathize with your unfortunate 1stworldproblem, 99.99% of the time it DOES work like this. your situation is an isolated incident and does not speak for everyone else.

No. This happens to me often, at different locations of the same company and at different companies. In addition, others in this thread have experienced the exact same thing.

And, yes, I am stubborn when it comes to stupid things like this (and stupid people like certain cop-haters).

The main reason I brought it up yesterday was because I got rained on because of this.

MotionMan

 

[dabuddha]

Because there are always retards that order by saying "I want a #5" then whine like little bitches when they get a meal instead of just the sandwich. Granted the customer in that example is a retard but by confirming that you want the meal instead of just the sandwich, it saves the employee a headache.

 

[MotionMan]

Because there are always retards that order by saying "I want a #5" then whine like little bitches when they get a meal instead of just the sandwich. Granted the customer in that example is a retard but by confirming that you want the meal instead of just the sandwich, it saves the employee a headache.

Was this a problem 10 years ago when a number only meant a meal?

MotionMan

 

[SandEagle]

No. This happens to me often, at different locations of the same company and at different companies. In addition, others in this thread have experienced the exact same thing.

And, yes, I am stubborn when it comes to stupid things like this (and stupid people like certain cop-haters).

The main reason I brought it up yesterday was because I got rained on because of this.

MotionMan

1). never happened to me
2). yes, hating on bad cops is ok.
3). rain is just water.
4). *shrug*

 

[DrPizza]

50% (or perhaps more) of the people ordering from McDonalds have an IQ less than 100. 50% (probably more) of the people working for McDonalds have an IQ less than 100.

/thread.

Next time, go into a McDonalds and look at the register that they're using - it's designed so that even stupid people can operate it. Ditto the picture menu for customers. The goal of McD's corporate is to maximize profits. That means, they need to minimize the number of interactions where the customer wanted the Big Mac only, but got the fries and drink with it as well, which have to be thrown out. Half the time due to employee stupidity, half the time due to customer stupidity.

Darn it! I just realized I forgot to bring my lunch to work today; didn't bring cash, check, or debit card.

 

[Red Storm]

A lot of places list both the sandwich and meal under each number, thus requiring an extra word uttered by the customer. I know, the shit we have to deal with...

 

[Matthiasa]

Well then use a credit card assuming you didn't forget the rest of your wallet as well.

 

[mshan]

I would guess:

- make sure someone who really only wants a sandwich doesn't accidentally get charged for a meal

- more importantly, an opportunity to try and upsell someone who really just wanted a sandwich alone

 

[CZroe]

I did not know that the numbers could mean either the combo or just the sandwich. I thought a "number 3" automatically meant the combo.

When I want a combo I order by the number. When I don't want a combo I order by naming the items. "Whopper with cheese, no mayo".

Learned something new today.

They don't at all places, but most clearly have "sandwich" and "combo" prices both within the numbered box.

 

[slag]

I have also found that knowing exactly what you want is of no help.

For example, if I order (inside, not drive through);

"No. 3 combo, medium size, regular fries with a diet coke to go."

The following exchange always happens:

"So, that was a No. 3 combo?"
"Yes."
"What size?"
"Medium."
"Regular or curly fries?"
"Regular."
"What kind of drink?"
"Diet coke."
"For here or to go?
"To go."

<sigh>

I have given up saying the whole order at once, but sometimes, ironically, if I am in a hurry, I forget and end up engaging in the dance of fools quoted above.

MotionMan

Ditto. In addition, then they ask the following:

them: "sir, would you like to upsize that for an additional 50 cents?"
me: "no"
them: "Would you like cheese on your burger?"
me: "no"
them: "Could I get you to try one of our hot fresh apple pies?"
me: "Still no"
them: "Would you like an additional burger for another $1.50"?
me: "Mother of God, NO. Gimme my damn order like I ordered it and stfu."
them: "....."

 

[SillyOReilly]

When did ordering a "No. 3" at a fast food place require an answer to the question "A meal or just the sandwich?"?

If I wanted the sandwich, would I not order the sandwich by name instead of asking for a "No. 3"?

The only reason I am even mentioning this is because it was raining and I wanted to close my window after placing my order. IMO, the interaction took about 8 times as long as necessary.

/rant

MotionMan

Really? 8 times longer? Is it because you're stammering to spit out sandwich only or full meal?

Because illiterate people.

The person at the counter wants clarification since people will order by number and only want the sandwich, while others will want the meal.
Should the counter person take a guess what the customer wants every time?

 

[SillyOReilly]

Ditto. In addition, then they ask the following:

them: "sir, would you like to upsize that for an additional 50 cents?"
me: "no"
them: "Would you like cheese on your burger?"
me: "no"
them: "Could I get you to try one of our hot fresh apple pies?"
me: "Still no"
them: "Would you like an additional burger for another $1.50"?
me: "Mother of God, NO. Gimme my damn order like I ordered it and stfu."
them: "....."

Upselling, how does it work?

 

[slag]

Upselling, how does it work?

Not very well with me. I don't know a single person who has replied:

"Well yeah, fuck it, I think I'll take one of those pies, and some of that $1.00 cheese on my already super expensive fast foot meal.

I've gotten the large before, but only after I've ordered it first.

 

[SillyOReilly]

Not very well with me. I don't know a single person who has replied:

"Well yeah, fuck it, I think I'll take one of those pies, and some of that $1.00 cheese on my already super expensive fast foot meal.

I've gotten the large before, but only after I've ordered it first.

Yea, I know.

Nobody orders anything suggested and they only like to waste yours and their time.

 

[Phoenix86]

Should the counter person take a guess what the customer wants every time?

Hmm... It's almost like that's the entire point of the thread.

Try reading it.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Not very well with me. I don't know a single person who has replied:

"Well yeah, fuck it, I think I'll take one of those pies, and some of that $1.00 cheese on my already super expensive fast foot meal.

I've gotten the large before, but only after I've ordered it first.

Then you've obviously never worked in food service.

Upselling works well and just because you've never bit on the bait, doesn't mean no one does.