I have spent years stopping by the golden arches for a quick meal between shifts, but lately, something has felt off. After some reflection, I have decided to officially move on from McDonald’s, and it is honestly a bigger relief than I expected.
The breaking point happened on Christmas Day. I checked the official app and Google Maps, both of which confirmed the location was open 24/7 for walk-in customers. However, after making the effort to get there, I was met with locked doors and a sign stating it was drive-through only. As someone who doesn’t drive, I was left standing in the cold with no way to get service despite the glowing Open signs.
What made the situation even harder to swallow was the weather. It was freezing outside, and a big part of the plan was to step inside for a few minutes to warm up before the walk back home. Standing there in the cold on Christmas, staring at a Drive-Thru Only sign while the app insisted the lobby was open, felt like a slap in the face. When a billion-dollar company can’t keep its own digital hours accurate, it shows a lack of respect for a customer’s time and effort. It is one thing to have a technical glitch; it is another to leave a customer out in the elements because your business model only accounts for people in heated cars.
The kicker? I’m walking away from nearly 3,000 McDonald’s points, but honestly, it’s a small price to pay for my peace of mind. When I look at the competition, the choice is easy. Starbucks actually serves hot chocolate that tastes like chocolate, not watery sugar. Tim Hortons and Subway offer fresher, more diverse food options that don’t leave me feeling sluggish. To top it off, the rewards system at Tim’s actually feels like it respects my wallet—I earn freebies way faster there than I ever did at McDonald’s.
Missing out on that meal ended up being a blessing in disguise. Instead of settling for fast food, I had a proper brunch yesterday: two egg, ham, and spread cheese sandwiches, a hot glass of apple cider to shake off the chill, and some vanilla-flavoured almond milk. Not only did it taste better, but using eggs with Omega 3 is a win for my heart health, too.
It isn’t just about a missed meal; it is about the principle of the matter. This experience reminded me that my time and my patronage are better spent elsewhere—somewhere that actually values accessibility for everyone, not just those behind a steering wheel. From now on, I will be taking my business to places that keep their doors open and their digital promises honest.