LOL
The Federal Trade Commission Initiates Investigation into McDonald’s Ice Cream Machinery
The perpetual joke surrounding the malfunctioning ice cream machine at McDonald’s has persisted for years. Whether your craving is for a McFlurry or a simple cone, encountering an out-of-order machine with no immediate remedy has become a common occurrence. This comical scenario takes a more serious turn when one considers its persistent nature over the span of more than two decades. The Federal Trade Commission aims to investigate the root causes behind these frequent failures and the delays in repairs.
Reports from the Wall Street Journal indicate that the FTC has been reaching out to numerous McDonald’s franchise owners in the U.S. to ascertain the extent and reasons for the recurring ice cream machine malfunctions. Surprisingly, all McDonald’s establishments utilize a notably outdated model of these machines. These machines require a nightly, heat-based self-cleaning process for sanitation purposes. These cleaning cycles are prone to frequent breakdowns, and only technicians specialized in the maintenance of these machines have the capability to restore functionality. Franchise owners are restricted from acquiring knowledge on maintaining the ice cream machines themselves, for undisclosed reasons.
These faulty machines have resulted in significant challenges for franchise owners beyond just the amusement they provide. Coordinating visits from certified technicians appointed by the machine’s distributors incurs substantial costs annually, which franchise owners must cover out of pocket.
Curious about the frequent out-of-order status of @McDonalds McFlurry machines? You’re not alone.
The FTC is also interested in understanding why the ice cream machines at the fast-food giant always seem to be inoperable. https://t.co/wEUArW69mh
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) September 2, 2021
McDonald’s corporate office has acknowledged both customer and franchise frustrations and reportedly is exploring strategies to enhance the situation, including revising training procedures and conducting more frequent maintenance inspections. However, they deny being subject to a formal investigation by the FTC.
“Our commitment to upholding exceptional standards for food quality and safety is unwavering, which is why we collaborate with established partners capable of delivering reliable and secure solutions on a large scale,” stated McDonald’s in response.
(function() {
var loaded = false;
var loadFB = function() {
if (loaded) return;
loaded = true;
(function (d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s);
js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v3.0”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
};
setTimeout(loadFB, 0);
document.body.addEventListener(‘bimberLoadFbSdk’, loadFB);
})();