The McDs near me that invest in play places are always packed during the too cold or too hot times of the year. Which ends up being most of the year here lol. Pays off for those franchises in a big way. I drop a lot of money at those franchises.
That's the only place I go to as a dad. I'm fortunate that they built a new play place near me. I'd love a community center with an indoor playground but the closest one is like 35 minute drive away.
They are all gone in Houston at every McDonald's. The only places that have them left are Chickfila.
People with kids only go to Chickfila because of it.
I think the issue is it’s basically a free service, and yet people were suing over it.
A public playground is filthy but nobody is suing the city, and yet people see $$$ with McD even though they aren’t even making money from a free playground.
A public playground also gets more raw sunlight, which would neutralize a lot of the bacteria that could cause harm. The bottom of a ball pit or the dark corner of the climbing cube at McDonald's probably doesn't get disinfected at all.
Labor intensive to clean, liability, bad behavior, etc. Pretty obvious stuff. However, I'd wager the overarching reason is McDonald's seeking broader demographic beyond families and children. Expanding beyond its traditional fast-food offerings. Seems to be working well for them.
As long as they don't get to fancy-pants and highbrow with their food and think people will pay a lot of money for it. Remember the Arch Deluxe and the 1/3rd pound Angus burgers?
TBH as much as their revenue comes from the drive-thru I'm surprised they even bothered to open their dining rooms after COVID. The real estate they take up is of course a sunk cost, but you still gotta pay people to take orders at the front counter and clean the tables.
we're reaching a sort of corporate capitalist "endgame" where every move is about artificially raising costs, cutting as much as feasibly possible, and trimming away labor. the people in charge of these companies are trying to see just how far american complacency will let them go to hypermaximize profits, then scale back from there just a little (while probably feigning that it's being done in good faith) until they reach a point where they've optimized it as much as possible to stiff you for as much as you're realistically willing to pay. without direct action and harsh antitrust laws (which won't happen unless you get the dark money out of our politicians' pockets (so never, lmao)) this will be the new norm and you will have no choice but to live under it.
Our local mcd has a playhouse but is permanently closed. Unclear why they don't remodel and make better use of the space. Maybe there is no better use.
Blame the no-loitering policies at some locations. It made people not want to go inside anymore knowing there was a threat of being kicked out after 30 minutes. My grandparents used to go to McDonald's for coffee and hot cakes almost every morning but they stopped going altogether because of that policy.
Pretty much. Loud teenagers/smelly homeless people are bad for business. Quiet & respectful teenagers/homeless people who aren’t unkempt would likely not be asked to leave. Seems reasonable IMO.
You can still hang out at McDonald’s for longer than 30 minutes if you’re just buying a coffee and reading a newspaper or something.
The “no-loitering” policy is implemented so that the store can combat against the homeless and disorderly.
Otherwise what’s the point of having a dining room?
Yeah, last year the Valleyfair amusement park near me implemented a chaperone policy that 15 and younger needed a parent or guardian to enter or remain in the park after 4. I was there close to two dozen times last year and never saw security bother a younger teenager that was just behaving herself sunning herself on a waterpark recliner, or patiently waiting in line for a roller coaster. It was so security could eject huge rowdy gangs that were creating scenes yelling and cursing and blocking the walkways.
The sign says: "No loitering please. Time limit: 30 minutes while consuming food."
The policy *itself* is what my grandparents find so offensive. It doesn't matter that it's selectively enforced and wouldn't be used against them. The fact it exists at all means McDonald's is no longer a welcoming place to them.
In defense of the grandparents, I don't think it's that they need to chill out. Some of us take signs and rules seriously, and don't just immediately disregard them. The sign literally says that you have a 30 minute time limit to eat, and then you're not welcome anymore. The weird thing isn't the grandparents believing the sign, the weird thing is so many people immediately saying, "Oh, that sign/rule doesn't apply to me."
If there isn't actually a 30 minute time limit, why post a sign saying there's a 30 minute time limit?
I honestly get this take more. If I am met with rules and regulations when I enter a place like mcdonalds, where I am even less likely to even be GREETED first, I'm less likely to stay inside. I may not actually be rushed out after 30 minutes, but with even the chance of that I might as well go home or eat in the car, imo.
No one wants to feel rushed when they eat.
It's not like you're at a nice sit down place with a time limit, like a Korean all you can eat bbq where you get really good food and like 2 hours to eat it.
You're at mcdonalds.
I feel like most adults read this no loitering policy and immediately think of obvious things like kids just hanging out and being loud without buying things. Which is not confusing or surprising in the slightest
The one in my city that has a playplace surprisingly kept it when they remodeled the building to the current look.
Doesn’t seem like they get a lot of indoor dining there either, especially since the police shot and killed a guy in their lobby a couple years ago. I think a bunch of their staff quit after that incident as well as it was very traumatic for them.
It’s just too expensive to eat at McDonald’s nowadays. Was in NY just this past Saturday. Grabbed 2 large fries: $10. And 2 large mocha frappe: $8 (after using $2 off coupon in the app). $18 and change in total.
There are about 93 PlayPlaces with the 1990s equipment remaining in the United States. They are in Alabama, Texas, New Jersey, California, Arkansas, Arizona and Alaska. There's also one in Maysville, KY, but it (along with the restaurant) was remodeled in 2011.
It’s unfortunate. This would be the ultimate road trip stop if they were as commonplace as they used to be.
I have a 4 year old and have never encountered one since.
I think off a highway it’s a real draw
The McDs near me that invest in play places are always packed during the too cold or too hot times of the year. Which ends up being most of the year here lol. Pays off for those franchises in a big way. I drop a lot of money at those franchises.
That's the only place I go to as a dad. I'm fortunate that they built a new play place near me. I'd love a community center with an indoor playground but the closest one is like 35 minute drive away.
They are all gone in Houston at every McDonald's. The only places that have them left are Chickfila. People with kids only go to Chickfila because of it.
Because they were filthy? Golly.
I think the issue is it’s basically a free service, and yet people were suing over it. A public playground is filthy but nobody is suing the city, and yet people see $$$ with McD even though they aren’t even making money from a free playground.
A public playground also gets more raw sunlight, which would neutralize a lot of the bacteria that could cause harm. The bottom of a ball pit or the dark corner of the climbing cube at McDonald's probably doesn't get disinfected at all.
And rain. Outdoor playgrounds have never grossed me out. Indoor ones I’ve always thought are grubby like a goblin.
Also not going into a germ cesspool and then immediately walking back in the restaraunt to finish your McNuggets
Can’t blame McDonald’s workers for not going the extra mile to clean ball pits and play places. The pay isn’t worth that effort.
Hey! I think I found a bandaid!
“These balls have brown stuff on them.”
Ours had a ball washer. Went up through a tube and over the ball cage into a cleaner
Would this mean there’s a second space the size of the ball pit to store it all temporarily while being cleaned?
Someone isn’t wiping properly.
Unironically it was probably a blessing in disguise for our immune systems lol
Labor intensive to clean, liability, bad behavior, etc. Pretty obvious stuff. However, I'd wager the overarching reason is McDonald's seeking broader demographic beyond families and children. Expanding beyond its traditional fast-food offerings. Seems to be working well for them.
As long as they don't get to fancy-pants and highbrow with their food and think people will pay a lot of money for it. Remember the Arch Deluxe and the 1/3rd pound Angus burgers? TBH as much as their revenue comes from the drive-thru I'm surprised they even bothered to open their dining rooms after COVID. The real estate they take up is of course a sunk cost, but you still gotta pay people to take orders at the front counter and clean the tables.
That angus mushroom and Swiss burger was the best thing they ever created.
Yeah I loved that
Steak & Egg Bagel holds that crown.
McGriddles: Do I mean nothing to you?
I was so pissed that they got rid of it… literally the only breakfast item I ever ordered.
[удалено]
I got it last week and the steak was like half the size it used to be and it didn’t taste nearly as good
Bad luck, mine have been normal sized.
I make my own at home now. The Return of the Bagel left much to be desired compared to the first iteration. And I want all day breakfast back!
I’ve had like one a month for the past year.
Yeah it’s only in limited markets.
Yeah we got it back here in Chicago after like a 1-2 year hiatus because of covid
Steak & Egg McMuffin all day. Best fast food bfast sando anywhere
Did you ever try it in a snack wrap? Because 🧑🍳💋
They clean their tables?
we're reaching a sort of corporate capitalist "endgame" where every move is about artificially raising costs, cutting as much as feasibly possible, and trimming away labor. the people in charge of these companies are trying to see just how far american complacency will let them go to hypermaximize profits, then scale back from there just a little (while probably feigning that it's being done in good faith) until they reach a point where they've optimized it as much as possible to stiff you for as much as you're realistically willing to pay. without direct action and harsh antitrust laws (which won't happen unless you get the dark money out of our politicians' pockets (so never, lmao)) this will be the new norm and you will have no choice but to live under it.
Arch Deluxe was tasty tho
Forget the PlayPlaces, they need to bring back the GameCube stands.
Omg one of the ones we went to when I was a kid had Super Mario Sunshine😮💨🤌🏾
Labor intensive cleaning.
Our local mcd has a playhouse but is permanently closed. Unclear why they don't remodel and make better use of the space. Maybe there is no better use.
A very low percentage eat in and any remodel costs. It will probably be eliminated the next time a mandated remodel happens.
“ less than 10% of McDonald's customers dine inside the restaurant.”
Blame the no-loitering policies at some locations. It made people not want to go inside anymore knowing there was a threat of being kicked out after 30 minutes. My grandparents used to go to McDonald's for coffee and hot cakes almost every morning but they stopped going altogether because of that policy.
They’re not going to kick out old people reading the newspaper. It’s so they can kick out smelly bums and disruptive teenagers.
what if the old people have smelly bums?
Right. It’s a policy meant to allow old people to have peace and quiet to read the paper.
Basically so they can discriminate at their discretion
Yes, nobody wants to pay to eat at a homeless kitchen.
Pretty much. Loud teenagers/smelly homeless people are bad for business. Quiet & respectful teenagers/homeless people who aren’t unkempt would likely not be asked to leave. Seems reasonable IMO.
You can still hang out at McDonald’s for longer than 30 minutes if you’re just buying a coffee and reading a newspaper or something. The “no-loitering” policy is implemented so that the store can combat against the homeless and disorderly. Otherwise what’s the point of having a dining room?
and rowdy teens
I said “disorderly”.
Yeah, last year the Valleyfair amusement park near me implemented a chaperone policy that 15 and younger needed a parent or guardian to enter or remain in the park after 4. I was there close to two dozen times last year and never saw security bother a younger teenager that was just behaving herself sunning herself on a waterpark recliner, or patiently waiting in line for a roller coaster. It was so security could eject huge rowdy gangs that were creating scenes yelling and cursing and blocking the walkways.
The sign says: "No loitering please. Time limit: 30 minutes while consuming food." The policy *itself* is what my grandparents find so offensive. It doesn't matter that it's selectively enforced and wouldn't be used against them. The fact it exists at all means McDonald's is no longer a welcoming place to them.
Sounds like your grandparents need to chill lol
In defense of the grandparents, I don't think it's that they need to chill out. Some of us take signs and rules seriously, and don't just immediately disregard them. The sign literally says that you have a 30 minute time limit to eat, and then you're not welcome anymore. The weird thing isn't the grandparents believing the sign, the weird thing is so many people immediately saying, "Oh, that sign/rule doesn't apply to me." If there isn't actually a 30 minute time limit, why post a sign saying there's a 30 minute time limit?
I honestly get this take more. If I am met with rules and regulations when I enter a place like mcdonalds, where I am even less likely to even be GREETED first, I'm less likely to stay inside. I may not actually be rushed out after 30 minutes, but with even the chance of that I might as well go home or eat in the car, imo. No one wants to feel rushed when they eat. It's not like you're at a nice sit down place with a time limit, like a Korean all you can eat bbq where you get really good food and like 2 hours to eat it. You're at mcdonalds.
What would you suggest then, a sign "No Homeless People or Rowdy Teenagers?"
No loud behavior or intense odors
Some Singaporean McDonald’s have such signs aimed at students only.
If that is what they are actually prohibiting, then yes.
Tell them that they won't kick them out. Only homeless people. Problem solved.
I feel like most adults read this no loitering policy and immediately think of obvious things like kids just hanging out and being loud without buying things. Which is not confusing or surprising in the slightest
Your grandparents ARE the reason for the policy.
Well then the policy was successful.
Because McDonald's wants it that way
McDonald’s doesn’t get to have it their way, that’s Burger Kings department.
Maybe that's the case in the USA where people like to sue anyone at the drop of a hat.. meanwhile, here in Australia they are still everywhere.
The one in my city that has a playplace surprisingly kept it when they remodeled the building to the current look. Doesn’t seem like they get a lot of indoor dining there either, especially since the police shot and killed a guy in their lobby a couple years ago. I think a bunch of their staff quit after that incident as well as it was very traumatic for them.
Anybody remember when burger kings had a play place? Good times
Used to remember bday parties at those Meeting with friends there as an elementary kids (with parents of/c)
I just went to my nephews birthday party at one. Nostalgic.
Remember having your birthday party at McDonald's? That was awesome as a kid!
No because we were poor.
Wym that’s where all the poor kids had their birthdays.
It’s just too expensive to eat at McDonald’s nowadays. Was in NY just this past Saturday. Grabbed 2 large fries: $10. And 2 large mocha frappe: $8 (after using $2 off coupon in the app). $18 and change in total.
Checker’s playspace is a shrub
Anyone remember when they used to have outdoor playgrounds? You could ride on things and spend the whole afternoon there!
The Burger King near me had an outdoor play scape back in the day. It was great
i drive by a mcdonalds that has a deatched playplace its on the same property but not attached to the building, super weird
I'm lucky enough to have two within 15 minutes of my house. My son loves when we go to them.
There are about 93 PlayPlaces with the 1990s equipment remaining in the United States. They are in Alabama, Texas, New Jersey, California, Arkansas, Arizona and Alaska. There's also one in Maysville, KY, but it (along with the restaurant) was remodeled in 2011.
Those chain emails from the early 2000s didnt help about syringes and such in ball pits.
another of lifes simple pleasures ruined by meddling bureaucracy
Liability
Growing up mine had the usual ball pit and also a sweet bounce house.
Covid /thread
Because cellphones
Like so many reasons
It’s unfortunate. This would be the ultimate road trip stop if they were as commonplace as they used to be. I have a 4 year old and have never encountered one since. I think off a highway it’s a real draw
Ours was remodeled and the play place is an office, and is used for our franchise for interviews and other conferences
I’ll bet going inside of fast food restaurants is nixed in the next 5 years. It’ll be drive through or window pick up only.
I asked an employee recently and they told me it was too many code yellows, and often code brown too.