McDonald's

I've been using the McDonald's app for about a year now and this is literally one of the worst apps out there and it really doesn't and hasn't improved, even when you update the app. I have some problem with this app probably about 50% of the time I use it. #1 - The app won't complete my order so I have to go in and pay without using the app. #2 - For the longest time, if I used a free drink coupon, the app wouldn't let me order a large. The only size it would let me order was a medium. #3 - I order something. Go to get it and would be told that the McDonalds I ordered from does carry that particular food/drink item. #4 - Always *always* says the closest McDonalds is one that is not at all even the closest and the app will do this even when I'm literally around the corner or even parked in the actual parking lot of another McDonalds. #5 - the map feature will not show any other McDonalds other than ones within a 5 mile or so radius. About a month ago I wanted to go to a McDonald's just outside of my city of Chicago and it would not show any McDonald's on the far north side of Chicago or in the suburbs at all. Those are some of the issues I've dealt with that I can think of off the top of my head but I'm sure there are more. It's just a bad app overall and I can't believe their IT department is allowed to do such a bad job on this app.

I have found this app to be very useful to avoid long drive-thru lines or having to go inside a store - the closest store near me, for example, is notoriously slow. I like pre-ordering and pulling to a curbside pickup spot to wait while I relax. I also like the discounts. That is worth 5 stars. But the reason I (originally) give the app 3 stars is that I've had about a 75% success rate using the app due to a variety of issue. Here are some problems I've encountered at different times and different locations: App said a store was closed (it was 11:30 am and store was very open), the app wouldn't let me enter a curbside pick-up spot so I had to go in to get food, one store didn't have a designated pick-up spot at all and one time I ordered and paid for two apple pies (in app purchase) but upon delivery the store said it had ran out of apple pies so I got unwanted cherry instead - is there a way to know this before I order and pay? Overall I will continue to use this nice-to-have app. Updated: I have deleted and re-installed app and no longer have issue with entering curbside pick-up spot being missing. 2nd update: growing much more happy with this app. Last several uses have all been spot-on with no issues and fast curb-side delivery results thus I’m moving rating to four stars.

I have had the McDonald’s app since the beginning and always been an advocate and even encouraged my friends to get it. The thing is I don’t eat anything at McDonald’s besides fries and salads items, occasionally I may get a dessert or chicken item. In the beginning I was really able to take advantage of the $1 fry deals and the $3 off $10 or $1 off $7. As of recently, about 2 months, those deals are no longer there so I really no longer have anything to gain which is quite disappointing because I do love the app and have been such a fan. I just purchased some items that would have been $4 less had I still had my regular deals. If these new changes to the app will be permanent I only wish McDonald’s would consider deals that are frequented by consumers so that they can be tailored and continue to be taken advantage of. Also consider dietary needs and restrictions I used to have 10-20 deal to select from now I have 3-7 that I know I will not use. For example, I have a free any size soft beverage deal in my app right now, I can’t drink soda so I have no use for such a coupon. I have a $1 off a quarter pounder or Big Mac, also something I can’t have so it will go to waste. Then I have 2 others for a total of 4 deals that I cannot even take advantage of. Disappointing, especially because I know how great it used to be.

This review is long overdue and after not being able to use the only good coupon I have got on this app in months because my McDonald’s that I always go to is no longer a “participating location,” I finally feel the need to write this review. This app used to be SPECTACULAR and there were always plenty of coupons I could use daily and they were very good deals too! I was able to purchase food for myself and my family without breaking the bank too much. Then randomly one day they changed the entire app and removed all of the good coupons. Now there is one coupon daily (If I’m lucky two) and it can hardly be considered a “deal” as I’m saving like 30¢ rather than the $3-4 I used to save from a coupon. You can also get a coupon from this Plinko style game that you sometimes have to play a few times to even land something in the bag. From my experience you can play until you win however the $1 off coupon you receive after is normally never for anything I want so it’s hardly worth it. Not to mention it seems you have to use this coupon while ordering through the app and sitting in the parking lot, which is not my preferred way to eat at McDonald’s. They should bring this app back to its former glory so that it may have a purpose again because it’s current state is trash and I don’t even feel the need to open it as I wait in line at McDonald’s since I already know there will be no coupons worthwhile.

I hate that you can’t view available coupons unless you’re at a McDonald’s location. I understand they’re different depending on the particular restaurant but why can’t I select the restaurant and then view their coupons? I would order McDonald’s way more often if I could see the current promotions beforehand. Now the only time I use the app is if I’m already planning to eat there. In the earlier days of the app it was possible to view coupons and that actually made me go order food when I normally wouldn’t have that day. If there’s a good deal I will make a special trip just to get it but now not knowing what’s gonna be discounted, I just don’t go because it’s not worth it if there’s nothing I want with a coupon when I get there. I thought the whole point in a coupon is to attract customers to your store but this is costing you customers by keeping them hidden. Yes there’s coupons for mobile orders but they’re always different from the normal coupons. Sometimes people don’t want to or don’t have time to use the mobile ordering and be their own cashier and ring up their own order, then process their own payment. This is just to cut down costs on the need of actual employees if people put in their own orders. What’s next? Am I supposed to package and bag my own food like we have to at the grocery store now? Hell, I might as well go back to the kitchen and cook it too. At least then my order will be right.