My local McDonald’s let me get behind the scenes not only in the kitchen (hello new Big Mac making skills) but also to learn about how the company works within their community.
I have many memories about McDonald’s. Growing up in America – how could you not? It was a big treat to get to go there for dinner and as a kid I was obsessed with collecting the latest Happy Meal toy. Who wasn’t?
Fast forward 20 years and McDonald’s is my go-to during road trips, helps me cure jet lag and of course, their fries are the best for satisfying my salty cravings (and the perfect hangover solution anyone could ever ask for). I’ve been to many a McDonald’s in my time.
And I’ve always focused on the food on my visit. I went through a period of time when Chicken Selects and Fries were what I bee-lined after. And for some reason a Diet Coke from McDonald’s is simply better than everywhere else.
But in all my time, rarely do I have a chat with anyone behind the register other than simple pleasantries. I’m a drive-thru kinda gal. And sometimes in store due to their virtual menus, I may not even speak with anyone at all.
So when I was invited into one of my local area’s McDonald’s I couldn’t wait to get behind the scenes. Truly, working with McDonald’s has been one of my actual dreams since I started blogging full time. In fact, can I tell you guys a little secret? On January 1st, Joe and I caught a flight back from Dublin and I wrote my list of goals for the year and some “dream” companies I’d like to work with. McDonald’s is on that list.
Let’s put it this way. I was really excited to get involved in seeing more about the company. And answering my burning questions. What REALLY goes into making that Big Mac? What kind of people are in the background making it all happen? And most of all… can I keep the uniform?
I was going behind the scenes at McDonald’s for the day… here’s what I learned:
The people are what make McDonald’s seriously great
Maybe you don’t think too much about the people behind the scenes. Sometimes I’m guilty of this. I try to treat anyone in the service industry exactly how I’d treat a good friend of mine. OK, actually, I try to treat them a little bit BETTER than a good friend of mine.
So I was lucky enough to sit down and chat with a handful of the employees at McDonald’s on my visit. I just want to say, that I know this a sponsored post but holy cow, I was so blown away by the amazing people there. They were truly passionate about the work they do and how they love working at McDonald’s.
There’s so much flexibility in the roles available
I spoke one-on-one with two employees, Emily and Max about their experience to get better insight into their roles.
Emily started working at McDonald’s while she was at university studying film. She needed some part-time work for when she was home and found solace within a flexible working schedule at McDonald’s. After graduation, she continued with her part-time role. It allows her to work on her screenplays and filmmaking without worrying about a lack of money. I honestly hope I get to see one of her films someday – she was truly the coolest.
And Max was brilliant too! A student in the middle of studying for his GCSE’s, he’s currently working a flexible schedule to accommodate his studying and exams. They both emphasized how their manager is so helpful in making sure they have the time to continue their passions and studies while maintaining the necessary hours they need for their incomes.
Emily also mentioned that she knows that the company is especially great to working mothers (she’s not a mum herself, but has seen how great they are for those employees) in order to do their school runs or work shorter shifts while their kids are at work. And for getting older employees into the work force too. All ages are welcome and our truly part of the family.
Simply put, I was blown away. These weren’t rehearsed conversations. Emily and Max are genuine supporters of the company they work for. Which is pretty bloody fantastic.
McDonald’s is a global brand with local heart
Sure, you always think that it’s a massive chain around the world. You can find a McDonald’s almost anywhere around the world. But here’s the thing, it’s a global brand with a local heart. Each store becomes its own local. The franchise owners have to do a hell of a lot of work before the can simply “buy into” the McDonald’s family. They work in McDonald’s for an entire year fulfilling each and every role until they’re even allowed to pitch for their own store. It means that each owner is passionate about building their store. It means they really do know the people.
And I found out what it means to feel local. Just like you have your favorite local pub, you have your McDonald’s too. The people who work there are local, working hard to deliver the best care and service available and like Max and Emily, each person working there has their own story.
They have one of the coolest roles out there – McDonald’s Customer Care Assistant
This job completely blew my mind! McDonald’s actually hires people with the sole intention of them looking after and chatting with people in their restaurants. The role is all about welcoming guests into the restaurant and making sure they’re having the best, and friendliest experience while there.
I actually loved this idea so much. In a time when people can be lonely, I think about work that Age UK does to help those who feel a little left out. It’s just brilliant that McDonald’s hires people in this role because sometimes people are lonely and looking for some friendly conversation. The store makes sure there are friendly faces to welcome you in. To have a conversation and to get to know you. They have their regulars who come in and they get to ask about each others lives – and honestly I couldn’t get over this idea. I really, really love it.
McDonald’s is always looking at improving the future
They’re making virtual waves! Even though they are excelling with personal customer care, they can also appreciate that sometimes you’re not up for interacting or just want a quick in and out experience.
They’ve set up an app for preordering (you can order it and simply come in and pick up your order). Plus if you’re in local range of your own McDonald’s, you can get yours delivered to you. In Poole they have a lot of orders that come from park goers who are craving a Big Mac or two!
Of course, you can order virtually in store using their touch screen menus. And kids get virtual fun to experience too! Upstairs in their Poole restaurant there are interactive games to play – which to be honest, I really should have had a go on.
They care about the environment and the impact on our future. In addition to larger litter events for Keep Britain Tidy’s initiative, McDonald’s are doing a number of different things to help the environment.
The restaurants patrol the streets at least three times a day to collect all litter that has been discarded, regardless of its origin. Crew members across the UK cover a total of 3,000 miles each week on litter patrols, which equates to 150,000 miles a year and the distance of four marathons each year per store. Can you believe that? I had no idea the additional level that goes into each store.
Their owner also told me that they do something along the lines of keeping the High Street clean. So they’ll volunteer to wash windows along the high street, helping out the local businesses in their area. Honestly, it was astounding because you think “global brand” but truly, they do have local heart.
They’re also working to reduce their amount of packaging (and including use of paper straws – YAY!). Cardboard is collected from 95% of restaurants for recycling, removing 18, 868 tonnes of cardboard per year from landfill. Used cooking oil is also sent for conversion into biodiesel from all 1,250 restaurants across the UK. Biodiesel now powers almost half of McDonald’s distribution fleet. Reduce, reuse, recycle indeed!
They contribute each month to the Ronald McDonald House Charity
The McDonald’s in Poole does quite a lot for the house. In case you didn’t know, the Ronald McDonald House charity is essentially a place to stay for parents or family members who have children in hospital. The RMHC allows parents to stay close to the hospital to be with their children rather than worrying about having to go home or ever be too far away from their child. It’s a great space where these families can stay while their child is in the hospital.
I spoke with an employee who’s friends had stayed at the house while their child was in the hospital. It was a game changer. They lived in Jersey which was too far for the back and forth. It allowed them to be near their child during treatment which is such a game changer.
As a 29 year old, I can confirm that I would be scared to be away from my mom or dad if I was in the hospital. So I know how much it must mean to help the kids (and parents) who are there.
And their staff do charity days where they go up and help maintain the RMH in Southampton too. Which is so brilliant. I cannot continue to stress enough how much I didn’t realize what these local McDonald’s do for their communities.
What you’ve been waiting for… How to make a Big Mac
Step 1) Before starting your shift or entering the kitchen – all employees must wash their hands. There’s a diagram on exactly how and how long you need to wash them for. Thank goodness Emily was there to teach me the right way. Moving forward, I will forever wash my hands the McDonald’s way – they’re so clean!
Step 2) Cooking the burger. The burgers are cooking 8 at a time on the grill. There are timers there and shield gaurds that ensure you won’t burn yourself. Luckily, I had help from Malcolm who showed me the ropes!
Step 3) Assembling the Big Mac! It includes toasting the bun, special Big Mac sauce (that you shoot out of a little sauce gun – my face at getting to use this was an absolute picture). Then it’s a sprinkling of lettuce, a pinch of onions and two pickles. Of course, don’t forget the cheese!
Step 4) The important last step! The top of the box needs room so the Big Mac doesn’t get squished!
And final thoughts:
Above all, what I really learned is that behind each McDonald’s is a community. It’s helping the local people of Poole and getting behind their initiatives . Things like hosting a bake sale to raise money for the Ronald McDonald house in Southampton. It’s asking about how Max’s studies are going. Or how Emily’s latest screenplay is coming along.
I also had a ton of feedback on my Instagram stories where I shared some behind the scenes experiences – you can spot it on my highlight. But I had former employees say how it was one of the best jobs they’ve had – the flexibility, the camaraderie. They made friends for life. And I think that says quite a lot about the company itself and how each one makes people feel good.
And THE FOOD. My goodness was I excited to tuck into my Big Mac and all time favourite fries! I think it’s true that McDonald’s really does put a big smile on your face.
Simply put, thank you McDonald’s. I really am lovin’ it.
Kelly xx
PS. This post was sponsored in collaboration with McDonald’s – but I can’t stress enough about how this was such a dream experience for me. All my opinions are 100% my own, alongside photography, etc.