8 Comments

Toni, I have it from a very reliable source that the machine breakdowns had to do with employees disregarding maintenance and proper care of the machine. Further scrutiny found that the reason had to do with McDonald's DEI hiring programs.

Since Trump came to office, McDonald's has scaled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. The company is shifting its focus to "inclusion" and will hire and evaluate based on meritocracy. This, of course, will mean proper care and maintenance of the ice cream machines which in turn will result in fewer breakdowns.

Bottom line... I predict a follow-up article from you telling consumers some very good news.

papa j

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But maybe I’m wrong. Time will tell!

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Ooo, I don’t think killing DEI practices are going to help the ice cream machine situation.

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The machines were down before DEI even became a thing

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Soft-serve machines usually require cleaning every day, otherwise they clog and stop working. This means taking it partially apart and cleaning the rotating parts. Since that takes time and owners don't want overtime, they shut down the machines before the store closes - that way an employee can spend their last half-hour on the clock cleaning the machine. Then they tell the angry customers the machine is broken (instead of the truth, which is that the owner is cutting corners on labor).

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I'm sorry, but your story contains one major error. The perfect accompaniment for salty french fries is a chocolate milkshake, and not vanilla ice cream, as you erroneously reported. Nice piece otherwise. ;-)

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You ordered iced coffee at McDonalds when you were in elementary school?

My experience (at least before the rise of Starbucks) led me to give up ordering cappuccino at restaurants. Every time I asked for it, the machine was broken.

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Yes. I was very “precocious.” Was drinking coffee by 4th or 5th grade. My bio parents weren’t in the picture to care much. Also started college at 14. I was a wild little rascal.

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