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A McDonald’s worker has revealed the reason behind the fast-food chain’s inconsistent policy on providing free ketchup – a topic that has puzzled many customers for decades
While it might seem like a game of chance whether you get those coveted sauce packets without charge, there’s actually a method to the madness. According to the McDonald’s FAQs, “some restaurants charge for ketchup and some don’t”, reports The Express.
The variation comes from the fact that franchise owners are at liberty to set their own rules regarding pricing, which means they can decide to charge for additional condiments not included with the meal. The McDonald’s website clarifies: “The reason is that a significant proportion of our restaurants are owned by franchisees who set their own prices some charge for extra sauces if they are not part of a meal option.”
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On the question-and-answer site Quora, an individual claiming to be a McDonald’s employee provided further insight into why you might not always get as much sauce as you’d like. The Daily Star notes that being too liberal with the sauce could impact profits.
The staff member shared: “We’re not told not to give out ‘too much sauce’ but instead we are told that each specific purchase has a defined sauce packet given for free.” Further detailing the sauce protocol, they added: “For example, getting a four or six-pack nugget you are allocated one free sauce packet. However, at our own discretion, we can give an extra free packet if they got a six-pack nugget.”
A McDonald’s insider has spilled the beans on the fast-food giant’s sauce policy, revealing: “If you got a 10 pack nugget, you are provided two for free automatically and another for free at our discretion, if the customer asks. If you got a 20 pack, you get three, and another extra at our own discretion.”
They added, “For every 20 or so packets we save, we don’t have to order another box of them. So, we have more on hand longer and less risk of running out..”
The source also explained the rationale behind charging for additional sauces: “The main reason we charged for extra packets is to prevent abuse. It’s fair to assume that two packets of sauce is enough for a six-pack nugget, right? If you need more than that, then what the heck are you doing with the nuggets? “.
They continued, “So, as cost control, we charge for extra to prevent abuse. But, realistically we really don’t mind giving extra if it makes you happy, just that the price of an item isn’t just accounting for the ingredients and materials.” In the UK, while McDonald’s typically hands out one or two free sauce sachets, customers should expect to fork out a little extra for any additional dollops.
