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Maccas hit the road with a coffee lovers dream giveaway

<p dir="ltr">McDonald’s are celebrating the 30 year anniversary of the world’s first McCafé - right at home in Melbourne - in style, offering up a special treat for caffeine lovers all along the east coast of Australia. </p> <p dir="ltr">With the McCafé van tour, the party hit the road, and the second stop of the trip gives Sydneysiders a chance to get in on the fun, and to enjoy the benefits of their very own free coffee - all they have to do is swing by Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the Royal Botanic Garden on Tuesday 30 May between the hours of 5:30am to 2:00pm. </p> <p dir="ltr">And for those who don’t fancy the early start - or simply crave something a little sweeter - have no fear, because McCafé’s all over are introducing the<a href="https://mcdonalds.com.au/menu/birthday-cake-flavoured-latte"> limited-time Birthday Cake flavoured latte</a>. </p> <p dir="ltr">The delicious new treat can be enjoyed both hot and cold to delight all taste buds, and boasts McCafé’s “signature smooth and rich blend combined with delicious cake flavours”. </p> <p dir="ltr">And if there’s one thing McCafé knows, it’s how to make a good coffee, with 1,026 establishments across Australia, and a further 4,000 in 60 other countries. All of which work together to serve more than 230 million cups of coffee - barista made, of course - and other hot drinks each year, with a staggering one in every four coffees sold in Australia coming from none other than a McCafé.</p> <p dir="ltr">“One of the innovations we’re most proud of at McDonald’s Australia is McCafé,” Lancy Huynh - Group Brand Manager for McDonald’s Australia - explained, “a homegrown idea that has turned into a global success.</p> <p dir="ltr">“McCafé changed McDonald’s approach to coffee across the world – inventing a new way of serving our customers and defining what it means to offer great-quality, barista-made coffee in our restaurants.</p> <p dir="ltr">“With over 1,000 locations in Australia, McCafé is now one of the largest coffee retailers in the country, representing an impressive one in every four coffees sold in Australia.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s a brand that was created by coffee lovers for coffee lovers, so we are extremely proud to celebrate this milestone with the experts that helped shape it – our customers right here in Australia.”</p> <p dir="ltr">And Sydney isn’t the only city blessed with the opportunity to snag one of those impressive blends during this milestone celebration, with <a href="https://mcdonalds.com.au/sites/mcdonalds.com.au/files/230522_McCafe%CC%81%20celebrates%2030%20years_FINAL%20%281%29.pdf">the van tour set to swing by Brisbane and Townsville in the coming weeks</a>, having already completed its Melbourne run. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We are excited to hit the road and celebrate McCafé’s 30th anniversary with the coffee lovers that helped shape it – our customers right here in Australia,” Lancy Huynh explained.  </p> <p dir="ltr">“Over the next few weeks, the McCafé coffee van will give away free coffee … to thank our customers for their loyalty and support over the last 30 years. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We look forward to meeting our customers across the east coast and fuelling them up with our great quality, barista-made coffee.” </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: McDonald’s [supplied]</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Maccas aren’t lovin’ the over 60s

<p dir="ltr">A McDonald’s in Auckland Central has landed itself in hot water after posting a job ad that wanted nothing to do with the over 60 workforce. </p> <p dir="ltr">The post, shared to the establishment’s Facebook page and since removed, sought new staff to cover the 10pm to 6am ‘graveyard’ shift. The usual benefits and various position criteria were listed, but it was one line at the bottom that caught the attention - and ire - of the masses.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Any age from 16 to 60,” the listing read.</p> <p dir="ltr">Feedback came fast and furious, with many outraged by the blatant ageism the fast food giant was peddling. And while McDonald’s tried to pass it off as the fault of a franchisee, the store’s manager instead said that their head office was at fault.</p> <p dir="ltr">Social media users were vocal about what they thought of the ad, and it wasn’t long before legal experts and union representatives got involved in the ongoing uproar - and even the big wigs over at McDonald’s. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We’ve been made aware that a job ad by one of our franchisees has created some debate on social media like Reddit, as it references an age range of 16-60,” company spokesperson Simon Kenny said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The reference in the copy was intended to illustrate that people of all ages are welcome. We’ve asked the franchisee to update the copy to avoid any potential confusion.”</p> <p dir="ltr">As Joe Carolan from New Zealand’s Unite Union told the <em>New Zealand Herald</em>, “contrary to the myth that most McDonald’s jobs are [ideal for] part-time students, improvements made by the union throughout the years have seen many workers stay in these jobs into their 50s. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Older workers bring experience, stability and maturity to a workplace and we call on McDonald's to end this discriminatory ageism.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Employment law expert Max Whitehead added that the pay - $22.80 per hour - combined with the age restrictions, were a “blatant” breach of the Human Rights Act. </p> <p dir="ltr">And for those who thought the line had just been an ill-advised marketing move, Whitehead noted “if it really is to get a catchy cliche going, it’s a stupid thing to do.” </p> <p dir="ltr">Whitehead’s fellow expert, Professor Bill Hodge, had more to say on the matter of ageism too, noting that The Human Rights Act actually bans discrimination against people over the age of 60, though he saw no issue with the teenage half of the equation. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We discriminate against people 14 or 15 all the time and it’s justifiable to say ‘no, you can’t drive a car, you can’t leave school’,” he said. “On the face of it I see no obvious requirement that would exclude people over 60.”</p> <p dir="ltr">As a spokesperson for the Humans Right Campaign informed the <em>New Zealand Herald</em>, The Human Rights Act 1993 had rendered it unlawful for people to be treated differently for their age during the employment process. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It is unlawful to discriminate against employees, job applicants, voluntary workers, people seeking work through an employment agency and contract workers because of age,” the spokesperson explained. “The only exception is where, for reasons of authenticity, being of a particular age is a genuine occupational qualification for the position or employment.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Shutterstock, Facebook</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Maccas to release international dipping sauces

<p dir="ltr">McDonald’s is releasing a cult British menu item for the first time in Australia. </p> <p dir="ltr">The much-loved fast food giant is running a “Sauces in July” promotion, giving Aussies the chance to get their hands on a run of famous limited-edition condiments from around the world.</p> <p dir="ltr">The first two sauces released were the brand’s Cajun Sauce and the “rare” Szechuan Sauce. With two more flavours being released - closing out the winter promotion with Curry Sauce and Mighty Hot Sauce. </p> <p dir="ltr">Curry Sauce dip is a staple at British McDonald’s restaurants. It’s a “delicately spiced and fruity” condiment that is similar to the famous yellow curry sauce sold at fish and chip shops in the UK.</p> <p dir="ltr">While the Mighty Hot Sauce, a spicy chilli dip that “packs the ultimate punch”, originally ran in the US alongside the limited-edition spicy nuggets.<span id="docs-internal-guid-02ea3a1b-7fff-0af9-8b5a-56921cc06ffa"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The new McNuggets sauces will be available in Macca’s restaurants nationwide from Wednesday the 20th of July – Tuesday the 2nd of August, while stocks last.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: McDonalds.com.au</em></p>

Food & Wine

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‘One’s loving it’: Maccas kicks off their own celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee

<p dir="ltr">Celebrations are kicking off as Jubilee fever fills the air, with celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne right across the UK this coming weekend and McDonald's is joining the party. </p> <p dir="ltr">McDonalds' official UK Instagram revealed that the fast food giant has teamed up with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, taking the famous five-note theme at the end of its jingle and turning it royal.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CeLXbddFGxd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CeLXbddFGxd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by McDonald’s UK (@mcdonaldsuk)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">It's the first time the brand has updated the theme, and it's been shared on Instagram with commenter reactions ranging from "this is so cute" to endless heart emojis. This is in conjunction with Macca's UK changing its 'I'm lovin' it' tagline to 'One's lovin' it' for the Jubilee.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, the biggest stir wasn’t caused by the change to the tagline and theme tune. Surprisingly, it's in the news that the company is launching a limited-edition china dining set, in the shape of iconic McDonald's packaging, so fans can dine 'like a queen'.</p> <p dir="ltr">The set includes a Big Mac box, fries pack and milkshake cup, all recreated in china and marked with Platinum Jubilee detailing. However there are only 70 sets available to win in the UK via the McDonald's UK app.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-35cd9bbe-7fff-0229-3070-1eee48d25a2e"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">It has also been reported that the Quarter Pounder with cheese will be renamed the Royale with Cheese for its own royal makeover from Thursday June 2nd, to Friday June 3rd.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Maccas to launch a new menu item for Aussies only

<p dir="ltr">McDonald’s have announced the launch of a new menu item exclusively for Australians – and some of us will be able to try it for free.</p> <p dir="ltr">The fast-food giant has tapped into our love of coffee, creating a new beverage dubbed the “Australiano” that adds a flavour combination of native wattleseed and chai to McCafe’s locally-roasted coffee beans.</p> <p dir="ltr">It has been deliberately designed to rival the classic Americano, with McDonald’s Australia saying the drink had been more than a year in the making.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The goal here for us is to create a coffee flavour that Aussies can call their own,” Lancy Huynh, McDonald’s Australia’s group brand manager said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We look forward to hearing what our customers think of this unique mix of flavours.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Available for a limited time from May the 25th at McCafés around the country, the Australiano has been described by Macca’s as a “treat for coffee aficionados” that can be served hot or iced.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Australia is a nation of coffee aficionados. What better way to celebrate them than to create a coffee they can call their own?” Lancey added.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As a champion for Aussie coffee culture, McCafé wanted to right this wrong and craft a blend that Aussies can proudly put their name to.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-dfc7467a-7fff-ac88-ed47-1dcdb2745207"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Lancy went on to claim the new brew, which costs $4.75 but pricing can vary, was a coffee Australians “can proudly put their name to”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: McDonald's Australia</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Maccas to sell 350,000 cheeseburgers TODAY for a whopping 50 cents

<p dir="ltr">McDonald’s Australia is reducing the price of its famous cheeseburger to just 50 cents! Given the cheeseburger is one of the chain’s most popular menu items, Macca’s clearly thought why not treat its customers by dropping the price.</p> <p dir="ltr">Available exclusively through the My Maccas app, the 50 cent deal is available for one day only on Wednesday, April the 6th, and is limited to the first 350,000 cheeseburgers, with one redemption per customer.</p> <p dir="ltr">Following the launch of MyMacca’s Rewards last month, customers now receive 100 points for every $1 they spend at Macca’s. “We want to reward our loyal customers by offering one of their favourite menu items for less,” according to a Macca’s spokesperson. </p> <p dir="ltr">The last time Macca’s offered its cheeseburger for 50 cents was back in 2020 for the 30 day 30 deals, and given how much of a hit it was back then, the same is expected this time around.</p> <p dir="ltr">It comes as the fast-food chain also announced its Chicken Deluxe Range.</p> <p dir="ltr">The limited-time offer includes new and returning menu items to complement the existing Chicken Deluxe Burger. New items include the Double Chicken Deluxe and Chicken Deluxe Share Pack, with fan favourite Bacon Chicken Deluxe also making a welcome return.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lancy Huynh, group brand manager at McDonald’s Australia said the range features iconic flavour combinations unique to Macca’s.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d44668fe-7fff-0089-53a6-97399a635cb1"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The Chicken Deluxe range is available from 10.30am on Wednesday, April the 6th all McDonald’s restaurants nationwide.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: My Maccas App</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Introducing the Maccas Creme Brulee Mcflurry

<p dir="ltr">Sydney-based FoodToker Adrian Widjonarko (<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@adrianwidjy">@adrianwidjy</a>) dropped this exciting news recently, revealing that two new, limited-edition desserts will be available at select Macca’s stores from Thursday the 17th of February onwards.</p><p dir="ltr">The first one is a crème brûlée pie, which is like Macca’s classic apple pie but with two different fillings: custard and caramel.</p><p dir="ltr">The second dessert is a McFlurry, but instead of the usual toppings, Macca’s iconic soft serve is accompanied by smashed up crème brûlée pie pieces and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce.</p><p dir="ltr">Crème brûlée expert, food blogger Adrian managed to get his hands on the desserts early, and he reckons they are amazing. But in his opinion, the pie is better.</p><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@adrianwidjy/video/7064755092708248834" data-video-id="7064755092708248834"><section><a title="@adrianwidjy" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@adrianwidjy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@adrianwidjy</a> This is too good! Its coming this Thursday at select @mcdonaldsau! It’s Crème Brûlée Pie! &amp; McFlurry! <a title="placesinsydney" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/placesinsydney" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#placesinsydney</a> <a title="mcflurry" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/mcflurry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#mcflurry</a> <a title="maccas" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/maccas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#maccas</a> <a title="mcdonalds" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/mcdonalds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#mcdonalds</a> <a title="♬ original sound - Places in Sydney Foodie" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7064755077470325506" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ original sound - Places in Sydney Foodie</a></section></blockquote><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0d3e6cfc-7fff-b617-fb52-776aa173eb32">“With the two desserts I prefer the pie itself because I am just a huge fan of the pie,” he told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/eat/maccas-drop-two-new-mcflurry-pie-flavours/news-story/7475326ed75cb7aa74beca26e6d45c3b">news.com.au</a>.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38;background-color: #ffffff;margin-top: 0pt;margin-bottom: 0pt;padding: 0pt 0pt 18pt 0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt;font-family: Arial;color: #000000;background-color: #ffffff;font-weight: 400;font-style: normal;font-variant: normal;text-decoration: none;vertical-align: baseline">“However in saying that, the McFlurry has extra caramel on top of the broken pies, so that’s a great addition of flavour to my McFlurry.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38;background-color: #ffffff;margin-top: 0pt;margin-bottom: 0pt;padding: 0pt 0pt 18pt 0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt;font-family: Arial;color: #000000;background-color: #ffffff;font-weight: 400;font-style: normal;font-variant: normal;text-decoration: none;vertical-align: baseline">“Definitely eat it slowly to avoid burning your mouth like I did, because I was too eager!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38;background-color: #ffffff;margin-top: 0pt;margin-bottom: 0pt;padding: 0pt 0pt 18pt 0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt;font-family: Arial;color: #000000;background-color: #ffffff;font-weight: 400;font-style: normal;font-variant: normal;text-decoration: none;vertical-align: baseline">Both the desserts are available at select Macca’s stores from Thursday the 17th, so get in quick. We’re not sure which specific stores, but Adrian found the menu items at his local Macca’s in Haberfield in Sydney’s inner-west. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38;background-color: #ffffff;margin-top: 0pt;margin-bottom: 0pt;padding: 0pt 0pt 18pt 0pt"><em>Image: TikTok</em><span id="docs-internal-guid-41caf352-7fff-5315-5078-d2704cebbf3f"></span></p>

Food & Wine

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Young HERO with autism jumps out Maccas drive-thru window to save choking customer

<p><em>Image: Kare11</em></p> <p>A 15-year-old McDonald’s worker potentially saved a customer’s life by jumping through the drive-thru window after she noticed the woman choking on a chicken nugget.</p> <p>Sydney Raley was working a shift at McDonald’s in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, handing customers their orders in the drive-thru when she realised something was wrong with the person she was serving.</p> <p>“I noticed that she was coughing profusely, and her daughter just had this look on her face like sheer terror,” she told the local news station KARE11.</p> <p>“I could tell, oh crap, she’s choking!’ Just seeing that visceral reaction I knew I had to act fast.”</p> <p>Sydney had done first-aid training when she was 11 years old, so she immediately jumped out the drive-thru window and told the customer to get out of the car and instructed her daughter to call for help.</p> <p>The Heimlich manoeuvre didn't work the first few times, so she called upon another customer who was waiting for his food to come and help.</p> <p>The other customer was able to dislodge the chicken nugget stuck in the woman's throat.</p> <p>“It could’ve ended a lot worst but I am super thankful for that bystander who helped so much,” she said.</p> <p>Police officers from Edina Police Department arrived at the scene to assist the woman and rewarded Sydney with $100 – from the fund police use to give back to those who do good in the community.</p> <p>Just after emergency services had arrived at the McDonald's, Sydney's parents arrived to pick her up. Her father Tom told CNN they saw the ambulance and police car out the front and for a moment were worried they were there for something to do with Sydney.</p> <p>He told the station he is extremely proud of her.</p> <p>"I always tell her she has a gift, because she's autistic," said Tom.</p> <p>"She can remember anything – do anything."</p> <p>The police Sergeant was also proud of the 15-year-old.</p> <p>"We’re very proud of Sydney. She’s a great example of how all of us – no matter our age or position – can make a difference in our communities," Sergeant Scott Mittelstadt said, according to the department's Facebook post.</p>

Caring

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Curfew breakers on late-night Maccas run turn themselves in

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Three Melbourne vloggers have been fined thousands of dollars after they posted a video of themselves breaching curfew rules for a McDonald's run on Chinese social media.</p> <p>The international students are seen dodging police officers as they make their way into a McDonald's restaurant at 2:30 am on Sunday morning.</p> <p>The students boasted about their "courage" to break the city's 8:00 pm to 5:00 am curfew which has been imposed in parts of Melbourne due to stage 4 coronavirus restrictions.</p> <p>"Who does late-night McDonald's serve?" one student said in the video, accompanied by the James Bond theme tune.</p> <p>"It serves us — the heroic people," another student replied.</p> <p>The trio returned to their apartment before declaring: "This is why Melbourne's restrictions are like a fart".</p> <p>The video was posted on Weibo and received tens of thousands of views in a few hours, sparking widespread condemnation from the Chinese community. </p> <p>"Don't show off risking other people's lives, even if you don't care about your own safety," Wu Yufeng, a Melbourne resident, commented on WeChat.</p> <p>The criticism forced the students to pull the video and issued a public apology.</p> <p>The vloggers told the ABC in a statement that they accepted every criticism they received and they also "provided their detailed account" to police on Monday.</p> <p>"Our so-called 'courage' is very naive before the law. We were a group of shameful jokers, and ignorant people seeking attention," they said in the statement. </p> <p>"We have confessed our mistakes to the police today and received our infringements.</p> <p>"We accept all criticism, which is the punishment we deserve."</p> <p>Victoria Police have confirmed that each person was fined $1,652 for breaching chief health officer directives.</p> <p>"It followed a video which emerged of them filming themselves going out after the curfew hours at approximately 2.30 am on Sunday morning to get take away food from a fast food restaurant in the CBD," a Victoria Police spokesperson told the<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-12/melbourne-international-students-break-curfew-for-maccas-run/12546682" target="_blank">ABC</a>.</p> <p>"For the sake of the health and safety of every Victorian, we need people to follow these directives and will not hesitate to issue fines to those who choose to selfishly and blatantly show a disregard for community safety."</p> <p><em>Photo credits: <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-12/melbourne-international-students-break-curfew-for-maccas-run/12546682" target="_blank">ABC</a></em></p> </div> </div> </div>

Legal

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Are McDonald’s toys coming to an end after 40 years?

<p>A mother has taken to social media to campaign against the McDonald’s children’s toy handed out with every Happy Meal after finding an excessive amount in a rubbish bin in Sydney.</p> <p>The woman, named Tara, says she saw a bin overflowing with the Macca’s happy meal boxes in Darling Harbour, Sydney and after rummaging through the contents found 30 plastic toys destined for landfill.</p> <p>Tara took to social media to share on a mothers’ group what she had found and to discuss her outrage over the plastic toys that “end up in landfill or our oceans”.</p> <p>She wrote: “Found all these in the bin at Darling Harbour. This is so distressing to me. </p> <p>“There were even more in other bins! There was probably a total of around thirty spotted in under ten minutes.”</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7834022/mcdonalds-toys-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/12168499ffb446519f69846d1a2b2dcc" /></p> <p>The mother added: “All of this plastic will end up in landfill or our oceans. Why are people buying happy meals for a toy their kids play with for less than a few minutes? </p> <p>“This is a disgrace. Please, could someone use one of these photos and put a caption on it saying 'ban the happy meal toy' so it can be shared to spread awareness about this issue?”</p> <p>The angry post was met with hundreds of comments mostly agreeing with Tara that the happy meal toy, that has been handed out to kids for over 40 years, should be completely canned.</p> <p>The toy first began being handed out in 1979.</p> <p>One disgruntled user pointed out that McDonald's could change its pricing to stop adults buying the happy meal.</p> <p>“Part of the problem is that a cheeseburger happy meal ($5.50) is cheaper than a small cheeseburger meal ($6.40) - leading teens and adults with no interest in the toys to buy the meal and dump the toy,” they said.</p> <p>“Maybe making the prices equal or having the toy come at a cost would reduce how often people get the meal with the toy.”</p> <p>Another said it wasn't McDonald's' fault but that parents were to blame. </p> <p>“Why can parents not say no,” they wrote.</p> <p>Other commenters felt the toy shouldn’t be banned, as it is no different from any other plastic toy purchased for children.</p> <p>“Banning that toy would be like banning any toy or junk aimed at kids,” they wrote. </p> <p>An international study calculated that 192 nations produced an amount of 275 million tonnes of<span> </span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-02-27/plastic-and-plastic-waste-explained/8301316" target="_blank">plastic waste in 2010.</a></p> <p>Images: Facebook.</p>

Food & Wine

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Is this Coles' strangest launch yet? Supermarket releases bizarre new item

<p>If you don’t remember, last year the internet went wild for a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/food-wine/internet-wild-for-three-dollar-coles-product" target="_blank">$3 Coles product that tasted “exactly the same”</a> as the wildly popular McDonald’s Big Mac burger sauce.</p> <p>This time, Coles has stocked their shelves with two new additions to the monumentally successful 2017 Special Burger Sauce – exclusive condiments made to accompany nuggets.</p> <p>Coles has announced two Special Nugget Sauces, developed by chefs who have tasted “thousands of sauces around the world.”</p> <p>The new release, which measures at 375 ml per bottle will cost you $2.75 each and might just be the sauce you didn’t realise you needed to eat with your McDonald's nuggets.</p> <p>One “nugg” sauce is the spicy ketchup nugget sauce which has proven to be a popular dipping sauce in Germany – except theirs is called Currygewürzketchup.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7828189/coles-sauce-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/70f3d4349dcd4038891874b7297c0ccf" /></p> <p>One shopper who got his hands on the sauce last week said it was “better than Mickey D’s just my personal opinion,” as reported by <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/eat/coles-launches-bizarre-sauce-for-aussie-junk-food-staple/news-story/6a9049c1756c088b37e2a96e12058863" target="_blank"><em>news.com.au</em>.</a></p> <p>Sweet Mustard nugget sauce is the second condiment customers will have the opportunity to pick up. The Carolina BBQ inspired sauce is filled with “sweet, tangy, mustardy goodness.”<br /><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7828190/coles-sauce.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/03d6ba8d7807456da3f79390095758eb" /></p> <p>A spokesperson said Australians have a real love for chicken nuggets – meaning this launch might just be the best thing for customers.</p> <p>“That’s why our chefs have been tasting thousands of sauces from around the world to develop two sauces that we know people will love,” the spokeswoman told <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/eat/coles-launches-bizarre-sauce-for-aussie-junk-food-staple/news-story/6a9049c1756c088b37e2a96e12058863" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>.</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Outrage over McDonald’s major change to loyalty card

<p>Australia’s leading fast food chain has come under fire for “technology discrimination" after ditching its paper loyalty coffee cards.</p> <p>Over the last few years, McDonald’s had been gradually phasing out paper coffee cards but the cut was made permanent throughout Australia for the past six weeks. Now, if a customer wants to cash in and save money, they must first download the MyMacca’s app to access the “buy five, get one free” deal.</p> <p>Customers are unhappy with the change, some going as far as reporting glitches resulting in “stamps” lost. Others are enraged by how unfairly they believe it impacts older customers.</p> <p>McDonald’s is Australia’s largest fast-food chain and most popular go-to spot for coffee with over 800 locations nationwide. The restaurant sells around a quarter of a million cups of coffee a day.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/6BE-dzBa4A/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/6BE-dzBa4A/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">The perfect morning starts with a view, and the fresh aroma of a barista made coffee from McCafé.</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/mcdonaldsau/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> McDonald's Australia</a> (@mcdonaldsau) on Aug 5, 2015 at 2:30pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Customers have even flocked to social media to complain about the change.</p> <p>“My mum… nearly 80… does not have a smart phone, does not use the app and uses your coffee cards constantly… So now she misses out?” Dearne Carroll wrote on the McDonald’s Facebook page.</p> <p>"I have multiple cards in multiple places all with multiple stamps on them. If they will not be honoured, I am not going to be impressed.”</p> <p>One disgruntled customer told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/mcdonalds-ditches-paper-coffee-cards/news-story/28e7734576bb37fdfa88866febe71dac">news.com.au</a> his phone is unable to run the latest app as he carries an 8-year-old HTC Desire phone.</p> <p>“That cuts me out from the loyalty system immediately,” he explained.</p> <p>“Then I thought of the many people that just use a flip phone — they’ll be left out too. And also, the many older folk that don’t bother with mobile phones. This is ‘technology discrimination’.”</p> <p>Cornel Brophy also expressed his dissatisfaction with the new system.</p> <p>“My usual 3 min drive thru experience turned into 10 to download the stupid app then at the window the code wasn’t processing, cars banking up behind me peeved I’m taking so long.</p> <p>“What a stupid decision McDonalds have made!” he wrote.<br /><br /></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/8SNe1PBa_q/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/8SNe1PBa_q/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">We hope you took some time to enjoy a McCafé moment today #InternationalCoffeeDay</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/mcdonaldsau/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> McDonald's Australia</a> (@mcdonaldsau) on Sep 30, 2015 at 11:14pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>A spokeswoman for the fast food restaurant told news.com.au McDonald’s had received “great feedback from customers on the app and more people than ever before are taking advantage of our coffee loyalty program”.</p> <p>“We’re proud to always offer our customers great value regardless of whether they are dining in our restaurants, using our MyMacca’s app, or ordering McDelivery through UberEats,” she said.</p> <p>“Customers with a seniors card continue to be able to take advantage of offers which entitle them to a free coffee, juice or soft drink with a purchase in our participating restaurants.”</p> <p>Are you happy about McDonald's changing its paper loyalty cards to a digital app you need to access on a mobile phone? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

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How McDonald's meal deals are tricking customers into spending more money

<p>McDonald’s is tricking customers into spending more money with the introduction of the value-for-money menu that has seen global profits jump 13 per cent to almost $2 billion.</p> <p>It’s been a big year for the golden arches with products like soft drinks, sausages wraps, triple cheeseburgers available at attractive $1, $2 or $3 price points.</p> <p>But while these initiatives make it seem like the customer is saving money, in reality it’s actually making them spend more of their hard-earned cash.</p> <p>CNBC reports McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook has said customers are creating meals with several different items, making their total a the checkout much higher.</p> <p>“More customers are recognising that we are becoming a better McDonald's, appreciating our great tasting food, fast and friendly service and compelling value as we execute our Velocity Growth Plan,” he said in a statement to <a href="/dailymail.co.uk/auhome/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Daily Mail Australia</strong></em></span></a>.</p> <p>Australian restaurants have led the charge with these innovations.</p> <p>“We're keeping the customer at the centre of everything we do as we continue enhancing their McDonald's experience,” Mr Easterbrook added.</p> <p>“We are satisfying the rising expectations customers have for the taste and quality of our food and greater convenience as they visit our restaurants or enjoy meals delivered to their homes and offices.”</p> <p>What are your thoughts? Do you visit McDonald’s often?</p>

Food & Wine

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Why the Internet is going wild for this $3 Coles product

<p>Ever since McDonalds debuted their Big Mac (“Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun”), fans have been trying to recreate its famous special sauce, to no avail.</p> <p>But now, Big Mac lovers might have finally gotten what they’ve been waiting for.</p> <p>Social media users are singing the praises of a $2.75 bottle of “Special Burger Sauce” from Coles, which they say tastes “exactly the same” as that used on a Big Mac – some are even saying they no longer need the real thing!</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Don’t need McDonalds Big Mac sauce anymore! Thanks <a href="https://twitter.com/Coles?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coles</a> 👌 <a href="https://t.co/QDsOosSGAd">pic.twitter.com/QDsOosSGAd</a></p> — Kelly Maree 🇦🇺 (@kelz081) <a href="https://twitter.com/kelz081/status/938745202537197568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/Coles?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coles</a> please congratulate who ever is responsible for this!! It tastes EXACTLY like Macca's Big Mac Sauce... I now pretty much put it on everything I shove in my mouth 😂😂 <a href="https://t.co/rz1NLq374w">pic.twitter.com/rz1NLq374w</a></p> — Mick (@Mick7AU) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mick7AU/status/948472365226209280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">This is legit Big Mac sauce, but in a bottle from Coles for $3 <a href="https://t.co/J1OpGNd4WG">pic.twitter.com/J1OpGNd4WG</a></p> — decryption (@decryption) <a href="https://twitter.com/decryption/status/933969979833065472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2017</a></blockquote> <p><a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/jemimaskelley/maccas-sauce?utm_term=.de9zX9PWX&amp;utm_source=bffbbuzzfeedoz&amp;ref=bffbbuzzfeedoz#.ohXK0Lyw0" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Speaking to BuzzFeed</span></strong></a>, a Coles spokesperson didn’t confirm whether the sauce was intended to be a Big Mac sauce replica, but did say their product development team “worked on the sauce for 18 months” and are always “closely monitoring emerging food trends”.</p> <p>So, if you love Big Macs, give the sauce a go and let us know what you think!</p>

Food & Wine

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How Australia is saving Maccas

<p><span>McDonald innovations started in Australia are being cited as one of the key reasons behind an astonishing turnaround in the company’s global fortunes.</span></p> <p><span>After the fast food giant encountered falling sales, the US chain announced on Tuesday that in the six months leading up to June, sales increased by 6.6 per cent in stores globally and 3.9 per cent in the US.</span></p> <p><span>The US sales were the company’s best for five years while the UK, Canada, Germany and China were also standout markets.</span></p> <p><span>One new Maccas line that has been responsible for improved sales are the posh burgers that first made an appearance in Australia.</span></p> <p><span>Australia has long been a tester for Macca’s with new products and new features, such as self-serve kiosks, appearing in Australia before being rolled out internationally.</span></p> <p><span>On Tuesday, McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook said, “We’re building a better McDonald’s and more customers are noticing.”</span></p> <p><span>Mr Easterbrook took over two years ago, and since then, he has launched new products such as all-day breakfasts and auto ordering booths across.</span></p> <p><span>Mr Easterbrook believes increased sales can be attributed to both cheap soft drinks in the US and the “Signature Crafted” premium burger range.</span></p> <p><span>In 2014, McDonald’s first introduced its Create Your Taste Burgers range in a single store in Sydney’s Hills District.</span></p> <p><span>The range allowed customers to personalise their burgers by mixing proteins, buns, dressings and cheeses.</span></p> <p><span>The burger line has since gone worldwide.</span></p> <p><span>Another Maccas success to come from Australia was the McCafe concept, offering customers coffees alongside brownies and muffins.</span></p> <p><span>The first McCafe opened in Melbourne in 1993 and has also been rolled out globally.</span></p> <p><span>Loaded Fries, which were launched in 2016, were also first available in Australia and have since landed in the US.</span></p> <p><span>McDonald’s isn’t the only fast food store that is trialling new ideas on Aussie customers. In 2015, KFC opened a concept store in Parramatta named KFC Urban. However, the experiment didn’t succeed and closed that same year.</span></p> <p><span>Red Rooster is also testing new concept stores to attract customers who are looking for takeaway stores with a better aesthetic.</span></p>

Money & Banking

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McDonald’s bizarre new plan to stop drunken fights in restaurants

<p>By day, McDonald’s is just like any other fast-food restaurant chain – kids playing, travellers refuelling and workers having lunch. By night, however, it becomes something else entirely.</p> <p>A popular stop-off for people on their way home after a big night out, McDonald’s after dark can be a pretty crazy place. Sure, there’s the odd night-shift worker getting their dinner at the only place still open, but the main customer base after midnight is drunken teens (and adults who should know better).</p> <p>Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the chain has seen its fair share of fights between drunken diners. So, to curb this growing problem, McDonald’s restaurants in the UK have enlisted an unlikely helper – classical music.</p> <p>Bach, Beethoven and Mozart were first trialled in Glasgow, Scotland, as a way to calm diners at its most violent restaurants. It then spread to England, down to Gloucester and Liverpool. And guess what? It worked.</p> <p>“We have tested the effects of classical music in the past and played it in some of our restaurants as it encourages more acceptable behaviour,” a McDonald’s UK spokesman told <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/sneaky-trick-used-mcdonalds-staff-10732563" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Mirror</span></strong></em></a>. “Typically classical music is played from early evening onwards, and in some cases, on certain nights in a small number of restaurants.”</p> <p>While Maccas restaurants in Australia aren’t required to play classical music by policy, several branches have tried it out. Do you think the strategy should be rolled out to all its 24-hour restaurants? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.</p>

Legal

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94-year-old McDonalds worker celebrates 44th job anniversary

<p>Last year, <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/79-year-old-works-at-mcdonalds-and-loves-it/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">we brought you the story</span></strong></a> of 79-year-old Graham Berndt, a Brisbane man who swapped retirement for a McDonald’s uniform five years ago and never looked back. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, a 94-year-old American woman is giving Berndt a run for his money.</p> <p>When she was in her 50s, Loraine Maurer decided instead of retiring, she would keep active with a job at her local McDonalds in Evansville, Indiana. “When I started, I didn’t start to stay,” she told <em><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/94-year-woman-celebrates-44-years-working-mcdonalds/story?id=46386408" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">ABC News</span></strong></a></em>. “I told [my husband] we were too young to stay at home and so I went for a job.”</p> <p>Forty-four years later and she’s still working the cash register every morning on Friday and Saturday and never fails to eat McDonald’s during every shift. “I get in here at 5 o’clock when they open. I have to get up at three,” she told the <em>Evansville Courier &amp; Press</em>. “If the weather was bad, [my customers] would come after me in the morning, and when my shift was over, they came over to McDonald’s and picked me up and took me home. You can’t ask for more than that.”</p> <p>To mark her latest job anniversary, dozens of fellow employees and loyal customers joined Loraine for a celebration. “My customers make my life,” she told <a href="http://people.com/human-interest/mcdonalds-94-year-old-woman-employee/" target="_blank"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">People</span></em></strong></a>. “I have travelled with them, gone to ball games with them. They’re friends, not just customers.”</p> <p><img width="500" height="354" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34702/image__500x354.jpg" alt="mcdonalds anniversary" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>And it’s not just the customers who appreciate her decades of hard work. “After all these years, she remains committed to serving her customers with one of the most delightful smiles around,” said the store’s owners, Chip and Katie Kenworthy. “Loraine has a loyal following of customers and they look forward to having her take their orders when visiting McDonald’s.”</p> <p>Judging by how healthy she looks, it does prompt the question – could a cheeseburger and fries be the secret to a long life?</p> <p><em>Image credit: Katie Kenworthy/ABC News.</em></p>

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