Mobile Order-and-Pay Is FINALLY Coming to McDonald’s
From Apple Pay to VENMO (and its newly announced competitor, Zelle), there are tons of apps out there that let you pay for things using your phone, and we love them all because, well, they’re convenient AF. Fast food chains such as Wendy’s, Chipotle and Taco Bell have been tapping into the trend for years, but for whatever reason, McDonald’s has been holding out on us. Until now.
It appears the fast food giant is throwing its hat into the technological ring in a major way, planning to one-up the competition by taking a cue from the magical Starbucks app, which not only allows you to pay for your drinks, but also place your order off-site. Since launching the app just a year ago, 25 percent of all Starbucks customers are now using it to pay and, according to the Wall Street Journal, “Starbucks has more customer money on cards than many banks have in deposits.” WOW. Folks really are dedicated to getting the fastest service possible… and cutting down on their fast food-related interactions with fellow humans.
Now, McDonald’s plans to do the same, rolling out mobile ordering and payment in 20,000-25,000 restaurants in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK and France over the next year.
While it won’t top Chipotle’s outlandish burrito-delivering drone idea, it’s still pretty exciting, especially considering that McD’s app history? Not the best.
Feel like a kid tomorrow on Halloween & enjoy a FREE Happy Meal in our app! #NeverGrowUp https://t.co/ys4LfLVUNW pic.twitter.com/cyWvx9pizs
— McDonald's (@McDonaldsATL) October 30, 2016
In fact, as of right now, the McDonald’s app seems to be one of the most basic on the market, offering coupons, freebies and news, but little more. Not to mention it has been plagued with glitches and technical difficulties, which have left clients anything but happy.
The @McDonalds app is the biggest scam in all restaurant apps. It works until you actually walk into a store and then bam, doesn't load.
— Greis (@AmazingGreis) November 6, 2016
Just went to @McDonalds to get a free breakfast sandwich with my McDonald's App, they didn't even give me a free one. #rip
— Annie (@AnniePumper) November 6, 2016
According to Business Insider, earlier this year, the brand tested mobile pay, as well as in-app ordering, in 22 locations in Columbus, Georgia, but quickly pulled the plug on the project without any real explanation, even though customers were indeed lovin’ it.
Whatever the reasons for the delay, it looks like McD’s is finally ready to get in on the order-and-pay bandwagon, and we, for one, can’t wait to try their new-and-improved app ourselves once it’s updated in the new year.
Are you excited for McDonald’s mobile order-and-pay update? Tweet us @BritandCo.
(h/t Mashable, photos via Brit + Co)
