McDonald's app is garbage - do any of the executives even care?

Look at the mymaccas app on google play store. It has an average rating of 2.2, with more negative reviews added each day.

They keep trying to push more people onto the app, by advertising exclusive app deals ( that have got progressively worse since December - I got one for Large Coffee for $4, joke not even worth it ).

They are just exposing more people to a bad experience, which wouldn't be helping them.

At which point do the executives get fired?

Also, it's a huge company. All they need to do is build the app once, and then all countries can use the same app. How hard is it to put in a few people across the global, and get true economies of scale.

Let's fire all the MBA executives that spew BS about 'customer satisfaction' and get in some techies that can deliver something that works!

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Comments

  • +17

    My local mcdonalds hasn't been accepting app orders for about a month. You can PLACE the order, and it'll go through (and you'll get the number you give to them) but it won't actually get to the store.

    So you get to the drive thru, give them the number, they'll tell you that it hasn't come through, and then you have to re-place the order at the drive thru

    • -4

      regional? Prices on the app are usually city prices which are cheaper.

      • No.. south east Melbourne

        • +1

          the boondocks

      • +10

        In my experience the app prices reflect the in store prices (and vary depending on location excluding promos)

      • +4

        The app dynamically changes item prices depending on the store you select.

        • +3

          That's always been the case, even before the app. Compare your prices between Maccas in-store and see what you get

    • Exact same at Lilydale.

    • +1

      But did you click on the app that you had arrived through the drive thru…?

      • This is what you need to do, which is annoying and unsafe in my opinion especially when you are behind the wheel!

    • This keeps happening to me as well, make the order, the store didn't get it, so have to repeat the order then have them scan the barcode in the app.

      Thats when it loads, because sometimes it shits itself.

  • +64

    I’m actually quite enjoying the maccas app. I get offers like $1 hash browns or coffee. I’ve also had both 25% and 20% off total order deals. I like that I can go through the menu and think about what I want before going to drive through. Also that $5 double bacon cheeseburger small meal deal only via the app is pretty good. To be honest it’s made me get way more maccas than I ever did previously 😬

    • +5

      Why were you negged? Lol some people…

      • lol indeed - I kinda expected it though for not holding the majority view. It does sound like I’ve had a better experience than most with the app.

      • +8

        “I don’t care if you’re having a good experience, I’m not so I’m going to downvote you.”

      • +2

        Maybe @morse's doctor downvoted the post as they're worried about @morse's cholesterol levels :)

    • +2

      I agree with your experience there.

      Not sure how someone can downvote you for saying "I'm enjoying the app" and "it's made me get way more maccas than I ever did previously".
      If that is your experience, no-one should downvote you :(

      • How kind of you to neutralise the neg 🙂

    • +2

      Did you mean the double beef and bacon burger? That isnt app only price, I order it at the drive thru direct.

      My app works well until I place an order through it and then it just effs everything up and I have to uninstall

      • -1

        Yeah, that’s the one! I didn’t realise that was available at counter/drive through too. My husband has been telling me it’s only on the app. Good to know.

        • +2

          It was app only earlier (found that out when I had to quickly back up and make an order at the car park) but I think since the app got sh*tty they couldn't enforce it. Can't make an app order only price if the app doesn't work lol

    • +3

      Curious - are you an iPhone user? I've noticed that it works much better on my mate's iPhone.

      For me, I have to clear local storage and log back in anew every 2-3 orders. I stick it out for the deals, though haha :)

      • +3

        Yep iPhone. It seems that it’s mainly android users who are having problems.

    • +2

      $5 double bacon cheeseburger can be got via kiosk order screens in maccas too mate

      • Yeah meesuseff mentioned this too. A good deal. It’s actually one of the few maccas burgers I like and with small fries is just the right amount to fill me up with the drink being a bonus 🍔 🍟 🥤😀

    • That $5

    • -3

      Found the Maccas plant. Where's your Associated tag?

      • +2

        lol - fortunately or unfortunately I’m not associated. You have a point though, I feel like maccas should reward me for my endorsement with a hot fudge sundae.

        • We should all be rewarded with one!

          The app has crashed on me so many times going through checkout, I've largely refrained from using it to order. I just get the reward codes ready for them to apply at the drive thru.

    • Same here. I love the app and the deals. There are times it glitched and ordered using my previous location but they don’t charge until you clicked I arrive. So it’s easily cancelled and re-order at the correct location.

      Love the app and it’s discounts.

    • my total bill for 2020 was $850 and was made pretty much entirely through the App

  • +9

    I stopped using it a long time ago.

    I had issues with the app not working with the now famous 'something went wrong' error, it'd freeze and I'd have to reboot my phone and several times it'd give me a message that I wasn't in the restaurant even when standing at the counter.

    I miss out on a free coffee but I can live with that.

    • +4

      clear data/storage if on android or uninstall reinstall on ios. I've noticed the app can get in the 'something went wrong' state and can't fix itself, so won't let you order anything.

      Recently had 3 items in my cart, but couldn't view the cart, discard the order or anything. In the end, after rebooting etc, I did a clear data on the app, which started it fresh. So logged in and its been good ever since.

      YMMV

      • +1

        Wah, I forgot about the clear storage on Android.

        I've uninstalled the app few times and still couldnt proceed with ordering so I gave up.

        Happy days!

        • +3

          Happy days!

          Hopefully it works for you!

          I agree with everyone, the app is painful when it goes wrong. I tried lots of things to 'clear' my stuck order. The only thing that worked, was clear data and logging in again.

          PIA to do, but not the end of the world to get the freebies :)

          The KFC app is much nicer in handling these kinds of things.

        • Am on Android 10 with a brand new samsung A71 phone. Using the Maccas app I can only order once without issue then the next time I place an order, it hangs while order is being sent once I pass the payment stage. Then I need to exit by closing all aps, clear storage again, allow location in settings, sign in and start all over again. Many months this has been happening and many times I just gave up ordering and I agree it is one of the worst apps for a company that can do a lot better.

    • -8

      Just force stop the app and relaunch. No need to restart your low end phone.

      • +1

        I have a Galaxy S20 Ultra and the app freezes on me. It then locks itself up, can't fix my cart, restarting it doesn't actually do anything.

        • +1

          CoreJava gave instructions for your low end phone ;-)

          It really is amazing how they can't get it properly working for the consumers or the stores.

        • Same phone here and I couldn't get the monopoly app to work at all. Contacted their tech support multiple times who were super useless. Haven't bothered with the mymaccas app because I think it will be the same

  • +3

    The original app was a pain to use. I have noticed some user experience improvements with the new app but I only ever use them to use a reward code, not to complete a full order.

  • +18

    The app is good when it works, horrific when it doesn't. Conveniently, the latter happens when there is actually a decent deal on as well.
    It's the only reason I still buy Maccas really. HJs is better value generally.

    Also maybe the app is designed this way - they know you want McDonald's. You see all the food on the app, you start drooling, the app stops working. You are craving it now and you don't care about saving $2 on the app. You sprint up the road to the nearest Maccas, salivating on the thought of the "large" unsalted chips that wouldn't fill a small packet. The burger that is assembled by throwing it against a wall and having the contents dribble down into a container. The coke which is 90% soda water because the post-mix is running out. You hand over $12 for a large meal and leave the store happy knowing that while you'll get your Maccas fix, you'll be hungry again in 30 minutes.

    • +2

      Pretty much this. I had to google to find out how to delete a previous incomplete order lol. That's terrible. On top of the crashing and lag.
      Even the in store big screen app is screwed, its uninsuitive, laggy and functions missing e.g. how to change the table number if you typo it

  • +59

    "If you think our app is garbage, wait till you see our food"

  • +5

    I think you misunderstand the app. It's primary function, like most free apps from big multi national business (that should have been a big clue), will be to collect your data, and pushing ads I imagine.

    • -1

      If you make the app painful to use, not many will use, and you will not collect any data.

      Also, if you think about it, it also biases the data that you do collect. So good luck doing any meaningful analysis.

      • +2

        I think you still don't understand. Imagine just the data that shows when you visit maccas? You don't have to use the app for them to get this info; that's true for most apps. They get much more data of course. Anyway, maccas sees when you visit, and what store; so then they can think of stuff like "how can we get this guy to call in for dinner as well?" Or breakfast? Then they come up with different strategies to get you (along with 1000's of your fellow maccas lunch only friends) to get you to come in the evenings as well. I'm not into marketing or sales, but it's really a cliche; can't you see them discussing this at a meeting (and many similar schemes)? We're sheep to be herded in the direction they dictate.

          • +1

            @random12: Did your logic and evidence tell you you'd get downvoted for calling other people sheep?

          • @random12: Unlikely.

          • @random12: Which is the data the app will give maccas and you get targeted by the deals that a superior being like you will find logical…

            I use it predominantly for coffee deals or the % off if it coincides with giving the kids a treat…. Baaaa.. 🐑

        • "how can we get this guy to call in for dinner as well?" Or breakfast?

          Judging by the quality and portion sizes, they are doing a rubbish job…

    • +1

      It's primary function, like the order kiosks is because it makes people order more than if they are standing at the checkout.

  • to be honest… apart from a few login issues, i haven't had any problems with it, and i have been using the App for about 12 months… even my 7 year year old can use it with no problems.

    what exactly are you having a problem with ?

    • +1

      At checkout stage, wouldn't take payment and comes up with something went wrong error. Usually happens after a previous order has gone through successfully. Then have to clear data and cache and log in again to place order and would then work 9/10 times.

      • I find it usually happens when you add a reward item to the cart.. But you don't finalise it and the reward expires.

        The app glitches. And the only way to get rid of it, is to log out and log back in again.

        I know now not to add anything to cart unless I intend to buy.

        • +1

          Nah, the reward was still current when I checked out. And on the odd occasion when there's no reward to use, it still happened.

  • +31

    McDonalds McExecutive here.

    The McTechies are asking for too much McMoney to fix the McApp, it's eating into our McBonuses.

    Shut up and enjoy your $2 McCheeseburgers.

    • +7

      I had a Rodney Rude flashback just then.

      • +3

        McManager…. :D

        Rude's 78 now.. god that makes me feel old

        • +2

          He'll always be a trendsetter to me though.

  • +5

    It has always been garbage on Android.

    • Yeah on iOS it’s pretty fine. Lately I’ve had some issues with my order not disappearing after paying for it but overall haven’t had much of an issue in the time I’ve been using it (a while now).

  • +2

    Been like this since it was first deployed. Looks like you may have only recently started using it. It's getting better with each release, but that is very easy to do based on it's quality. it crashes allot less no days. In the past it took me usually 4 attempts to start it before it would not crash and even then it would only show the coupons another 50% of the time.

    You forgot to mention the SIZE of the crap they have coded or included as it's big for what it does!!

  • +2

    If I need to use it I clear the cache and data for the app and re-login. Otherwise it usually fails and you've lost 5 minutes of frustration watching those silly chips bounce up and down. It's a terrible app.

    So the question is why wouldn't they fix it? Could be a marketing trick - what a surprise. People decide to get maccas due to the app offers popping up, then when they get there they get frustrated so just buy over the counter without the discount.

    • +2

      So glad I'm not the only one that has to do this. It's hit and miss - I find it's usually if I use a rewards item… once I've placed an order, if I then try to do another order, it won't let me past the checkout screen (an error has occurred), then if I restart the app, the shopping basket screen shows blank despite there being things in the cart - and the only fix is to delete the storage / reset the app. Absolute pain in the arse. Like the OP I'd expect better from such a large company, especially given their aim towards trying to get people to use it for ordering.

    • I really want to know why it's so hard to fix. The development team can grab any android phone and replicate the problem.

      • I feel like they've done all the hard work in the backend, at least on my iPhone, all the app neeeds is a polish up so its more like the KFC app.

  • +13

    I suggest adding a poll with options:

    • iPhone with overall good experience
    • iPhone with overall bad experience
    • Android with overall good experience
    • Android with overall bad experience

    I believe most of the people who have a crap experience are Android users.

    • Yep, no issues here on iphone

    • +1

      I have an android and usually it works.

    • 4.5/5 for the app on an iPhone.

    • My guess is that it works best on iPhones and recent super phones (Samsung galaxy, maybe pixel and OnePlus), ok on older superphones, and bad on phones that cost $200.

      • Is Note8 still recent from 3 years ago? Still have to do the clear cache and data.

      • No, it's still broken on the S20/S21 series phones. It's just trash on anything but iPhone. I've got a list of steps to ensure a 50% chance of an order succeeding so there's that which is nice.

  • +3

    If you care about your health and body, this is a good thing 😊

  • on iOS, they do seem to refresh the app (forced) update regularly. Can't speak to Android.

    Otherwise, I'm only in it for their deals. :)

    • +2

      yes, updates are a massive pain in the a$$. I use takeaway food apps for (a) deals and (b) quick convenience when in a hurry to order something simple on the go then pick up… what's the point if every second time you need to wait for it to download another update, sometimes with poor reception, and then start all over again with logging in etc.

      … oh wait, cause I hate using those even worse self-serve kiosks / contact germ spreaders, when they highly discourage taking your order like a person at the counter anymore.

  • Maccas food is garbage, does your body even care?

    • Tell that to the richest elderly man in the world - Warren Buffet (in his 90s)
      http://entm.ag/3411

      "Warren Buffett is still living life to the fullest. To Buffett, that means going to work — which he calls a "vacation every day" — and eating McDonald's for lunch at least three times a week. The CEO of holding company Berkshire Hathaway and the world's third-richest man revealed his peculiar lifestyle habits in a three-hour long interview with the Financial Times. Buffett told FT he has no plans to retire; while his old age means he must wear a hearing aid and avoid driving at night, he still "jumps out of bed" to go to work. Along with Buffett's thrice-weekly McDonald's chicken nuggets habit, a quarter of Buffett's caloric intake comes from drinking Coke."

      Retirement is bad for your health, the best condition elderly people I know, including in my own family a man who lived into his mid-90s without going to the doctor until his late 80s worked until his mid 80s and cooked with tubs of fat and always had cakes and boxes of chocolates on the table. Look at the royals, they keep very busy schedules into old age and live to 100

      • Genes mostly.

      • So eating McDonalds and being miserable contributes to poor health.

  • Yeah I agree the apps is bad. But I feel it is incrementally getting better.

    The worst I had so far was the guy scanned the discount QR and I ended up paying without checking the receipt and it turned out the discount QR wasn't applied.

    I lost $1. lol

    • A whole $1? - hand in your OzB license

  • +2

    Tried using it, tried using it for a good while. and did not have a good experience, so uninstalled it. Also I think the deals are better at Hungry Jacks app and i never seen to have an issue with HJ or RR app.

  • +1

    I thought it was just me, worst app on my phone …hands down…. and updates every other week and still hot garbage

  • Is the android app developed in house or by a friend or relative of one of the executives?
    Poor software is usually the result of nepotism or just plain incompetence?

  • +1

    The most annoying thing about the app is that it doesn't let you place the order until you get near the store.

    Experience
    1) Faff around with app, place order.
    …. (order isn't placed)
    2) Have to come back into app, faff around more, actually place order, when close to store
    … (order is finally placed, and by now I'm waiting around in the store watching all the teenage workers chase their tails)
    3) 10-15 minutes after that, my number might be called out and I'm given my order.

    It's far from an easy click and collect experience, and nor is it ever quick.

    • Ahh… I didn’t realise it only works when nearby. Maybe that’s why I haven’t had issues. I live 650m from maccas or have used it on road trips when approaching the store.

    • How far are you from the store? I've never had this come up before but when I think about it I haven't ordered from a store that was really far away before.

  • Still using occasionally but had an issue where I'd add offers to my cart but not use them. Since they expired I'd be unable to remove them. Only way is to sign out and sign back in.

  • Let's fire all the MBA executives that spew BS about 'customer satisfaction'

    Just how many people in the population has a proper MBA? I am not talking about some second rate MBA where they would take you without any job experience and long as you got any degree.

    MBA doesn't teach you about customer satisfaction. It is really a conversion course for those without economics, finance and management experience. Lot of oil and gas engineers and software developer types do it to get into people management roles.

  • at least 3 times I have had problem with McDonald app so far through drive-through, no order code appears on theirs screen but on my Iphone screen there was the code clearly still on, bad experienced, app supposed to saving -times but I had to spend more time at McDonald.

  • -2

    All they need to do is build the app once, and then all countries can use the same app.

    spoken like someone that doesn't understand how the development of complex and global applications work.

    But still, I agree, the app is horseshit.

    • -1

      Tell me why it shouldn't be like that?

      There is one template that is 90%, and then they can make slight customisations. The difference between countries is the timezone, map, and possibly some menu items. Not hard to do.

      • It actually is one global app. I have the US and Australian app installed and they are virtually identical, down to the crappy ratings in the app store and common complaints.

  • +1

    do any of the executives even care?

    They just count their millions…

  • Mine gives me rewards specials, and when i open the app again at the restaurant they change in front of my eyes

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