McDonald’s may be the home of fast food, but you can still end up stuck in a queue at peak times, frustratedly waiting for your Big Mac and fries.
If you’ve been dreaming about ways to jump the line though, you’re in luck: because Maccies has unveiled a new app feature that’ll let you do just that.
Following a successful trial in London, customers across the UK can now access the new ‘Order Ahead’ feature on the McDonald’s App.
Effectively allowing you to queue-jump, it uses special technology to let your local outlet know when you’re close by so they can start prepping your food – almost like texting your housemate on your way home and asking them to pop a pizza in the oven for you.
How does Order Ahead work?
Order Ahead uses geofencing technology, which is location-based tech that creates boundaries on a virtual map. As such, you’ll need to consent to sharing your location in order to use it.
You place your order and pay via the app before you leave your location – be it home or the office – and then make your way over to get your food.
When your phone enters the boundary, an alert is sent to the restaurant so they can prepare your order as you approach and time it just right, so it’s ready for your arrival.
According to McDonald’s, your food will only start cooking when you are approximately three minutes away from the restaurant.
However, it’s worth noting that it’s not available for Drive-Thru orders, in case you were hoping to shave a few minutes off your wait while you’re still on the motorway.
‘Order Ahead is ideal for customers who value speed and convenience, perfect for busy parents always on the go, students juggling deadlines or those just trying to squeeze in a quick lunch,’ a spokesperson for McDonald’s said.
‘Whether you’re taking away or dining in, Order Ahead helps you jump the queue and enjoy your McDonald’s favourites faster. From a Big Mac on the go to McNuggets on Click and Serve, or Fries delivered to your table — your order will be hot, fresh, and perfectly timed.
‘So, get ahead of your hunger by ordering ahead on the McDonald’s App!’
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This comes after the chain recently made several big changes to its menu.
The Breakfast Roll was quietly axed in September, after five years on the morning line-up. Priced at £4.69, it featured sausage, egg, bacon and cheese in a soft roll with ketchup or brown sauce.
Similarly, the brand new Caramel Loaded McFlurry, which launched in September alongside the return of Monopoly, was taken off menus after just one week.
According to McDonald’s, it was removed from restaurants due to a ‘quality control issue’, although they did not share what the issue was.
And, of course, McDonald’s fans will inevitably have noticed last month’s launch of the World Heist menu, featuring favourites from around the world, including burgers from Canada and Australia, McNuggets and drinks from Japan, fries from Poland, and so much more.
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