McDonald’s Is Now Charging For Ice Water
28 June 2019, Germany (German), Berlin: A woman drinks with a straw from a cup taken at a McDonald's branch. The fast food chain McDonald's wants to produce less plastic waste. For example, desserts are to be sold in the course of the coming year in more sustainable packaging "almost without plastic". Already this year plastic holders for balloons would be abolished, McDonald's announced. From 2021 they will no longer be allowed to be sold in the EU - as will disposable cutlery and plates and plastic straws. Photo: Gerald Matzka/dpa-Zentralbild/ZB (Photo by Gerald Matzka/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Are you currently experiencing the sensation of melting into a puddle of your own sweat? Well, you’re not alone, my friend. As we all try to beat the heat, it seems that even our favorite fast-food joints are joining in on the summer sizzle with their own version of a hot deal.
Brace yourselves, because the news is hotter than a jalapeño in the desert: McDonald’s is charging for ice water! Yes, you read that right, ice water – the essential elixir of life, the ultimate thirst quencher, and now, apparently, a luxury item.
According to a shocking exposé by The Daily Dot, a brave McDonald’s customer recently embarked on a heroic quest for refreshment and found themselves face-to-face with the unthinkable – a charge of 50 cents for a cup of ice water. The audacity! The gall! The sheer nerve to put a price tag on the most basic of human needs during a heatwave! The incident, captured on film by TikTok user @moneesmith, has left the internet reeling and questioning the very fabric of reality.
But wait, there’s more! It turns out that McDonald’s isn’t the only fast food joint getting in on the aqua action. Other restaurants are reportedly following suit, defending their choice to charge for water by claiming that the fee covers the cost of the cup, lid, and straw.
Well, isn’t that a refreshing explanation? Who knew that the trifecta of cup, lid, and straw could suddenly skyrocket in value, rivaling the price of, say, a diamond-encrusted unicorn horn?
In response to this groundbreaking news, social media has erupted in a symphony of disbelief, exasperation, and yes, some very creative memes.
Twitter users have quipped that they’ll start charging for air next, and Reddit threads have become a virtual watering hole of sarcastic commentary and imaginative conspiracy theories. Some have even speculated that the next logical step will be drive-thru toll booths where you’re asked to pay before you can even place your order.
So, as you face the sweltering summer sun and the potential onslaught of water bill charges from your favorite fast-food establishments, take heart. The heat may be relentless, but so is our collective sense of humor. After all, if we can’t laugh in the face of a 50-cent ice water charge, what can we laugh at? Stay cool, stay hydrated, and remember: when life gives you heatwaves, make iced tea – or just charge extra for the ice.
A 'Definitive' Ranking Of The 5 Fast-Food Restaurants
The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) recently shared a study that details the top fast-food chains in the country based on customer satisfaction. While I agree with the top choice, the others are questionable. And hey, taste is subjective. I’m something of a fast-food restaurant connoisseur. So, here I will re-rank the country’s top five fast-food restaurant chains based on personal experience. (Hence, “Definitive” in quotes in the headline.)
First, let’s examine the numbers in this report, as there are certainly some valuable points to consider. It appears as if their customer satisfaction entails 11 important factors. These include areas such as the accuracy of food orders, staff courtesy, and cleanliness. Another important measurement these days is the efficiency of the chain’s app.
The ACSI report is based on 16,250 customers who were surveyed. Their top five looked like this:
- #1 Chick-fil-A
- #2 Jimmy Johns
- #3 KFC
- #4 Papa John
- #5 Domino’s
Technically “other” landed at number three, but for the sake of top brands, that is the top of the list.
Re-Ranking Methodology
While I do like the variety in cuisine displayed in ACSI’s list, I am surprised at many of the names I see there. To create this ranking, I did follow and considered the customer satisfaction criteria previously laid out in the survey. Though I am a drive-thru-first type of person, I will quickly peel out of the parking lot if I detect the joint doesn’t look like it takes cleanliness seriously. Regardless of how much I am craving that chicken sandwich. In other words, those scored questions are legit measurements.
It’s worth mentioning that I travel quite a bit as well. Whether taking my kids to a weekend lacrosse tournament or heading south to visit family, a fast-food meal is often all I have time for. Nonetheless, I don’t just stop for anything, and I do aim for the healthiest option possible (most of the time).
So, imagine I just pulled off a magical interstate exit where all of these fast food restaurants had an open establishment. I’m considering the criteria points ACSI has laid out, and looking for a quality meal. Here is my official re-ranking of the top five fast-food restaurant chains in the country.
*Side-note, the ACSI also includes statistic results on full-service chain restaurants. That is not applicable to my ranking, but Chili’s is the clear number one, with all the rest being second.
Meet Maryann, who has been chasing magic since the early 90s. Back then, she hosted a love and dedication show at nights on Magic. Talk about romantic vibes! Since then, she traded her evening slot for mornings. When she’s not talking to you on the air, she’s living the glamorous life of a chicken, duck, pigeon, and German Short-Haired Pointer mom. Since Joel can never follow what she says, there is an entire feature called " What are you Talking About" at 9:10. Running is her secret to staying out of trouble – or at least staying ahead of the extra pounds. She has a husband named Matt, and a son named Zack, who she says makes her world a little adventure.
