When most people think of fast food, they think of McDonald’s. The chain boasts more than 44,000 locations in over 100 countries, making it easy to stumble upon the restaurant and pop in for a bite to eat.
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The size of the chain leads to a lot of customers, with some sources putting the figure at 70 million visitors per day worldwide. As a customer, setting yourself apart from the crowd to get the best service can be challenging, but there is one hack that helps.
How To Get the Best Service at McDonald’s
In a Quora post, a McDonald’s employee in London named Kamran Adnan provided a tip that can help customers get fresher food. The trick is simple: Ask for a receipt.
This hack works because companies use secret shoppers to test out their products and service. Secret shoppers enter stores pretending to be everyday customers and evaluate their experiences. Because managers are well aware that secret shoppers exist, they do what they can to spot them and provide the best experience.
According to Adnan, secret shoppers get their meal reimbursed by McDonald’s, so they always ask for a receipt. Therefore, this simple request indicates the possibility of a secret shopper for employees. They’ll give you priority over other customers to get the best rating, making sure you have the freshest food and the highest-quality service.
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Other McDonald’s Hacks
There are other ways to improve your experience at McDonald’s, even after you’ve taken your receipt. Here are some to consider.
Use the App
Downloading the McDonald’s app is free and takes seconds. It can also set you up for some nice deals. Those who have the app can stay up to date with all of the most recent coupons.
You can find deals like buy one 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, Quarter Pounder with Cheese or Big Mac and get a second one for just 99 cents. You might get a 25%-off deal for any order over $10, or $5 off any McDonald’s delivery that’s over $20. Having the app allows you to submit or scan the coupons right from your phone.
Ask for No Salt
McDonald’s has long referred to its fries as being “World Famous,” but all food goes bad over time. There’s a big difference between receiving an order of crispy fries and a batch of soggy ones.
To give yourself the best chance of getting the freshest fries, ask for no salt. Because salt is put on the fries immediately after they’re cooked, employees will need to make a new, fresh batch to complete your order.
Complete Surveys
Another receipt hack is to take advantage of McDonald’s option to complete a survey. Each McDonald’s receipt comes with a 26-digit survey code in the middle.
You can visit McDVoice, enter your code and complete a survey about your experience. McDonald’s then gives you a code where you can cash in on free items like an Egg McMuffin or a hamburger. You may also receive other deals like a buy one, get one free choice.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: This McDonald’s Hack Practically Guarantees the Most Bang for Your Buck
