McDonalds Australia is compared to its US counterpart

McDonald’s Australia is compared to its US counterpart

A former McDonald’s crew trainer has revealed some of the fast-food giant’s best-kept secrets.

The Sydney man, who wished to remain anonymous, worked at McDonald’s for almost a decade while attending school and university.

Six years later, the 26-year-old has shared the ordering tips every customer should know — including how to make sure the burger is fresh and the fries are hot.

FRESH BURGERS

While McDonald’s brags about making burgers “fresh to order,” they don’t let customers know that the meat is pre-cooked and stored in a heated cabinet.

Workers are told to throw away meat after the timer runs out.

Customers who request their meat to be cooked without salt and pepper are guaranteed a fresh burger as the kitchen staff has to put a new row of beef on the grill.

If you're looking for a fresh burger, ask for your meat to come without the salt and pepper

If you’re looking for a fresh burger, ask for your meat to come without the salt and pepper

FRESH FRIES

Like burger patties, fries can often get cold if workers don’t keep track of how long each batch was stored there.

If you order your fries without salt, you are guaranteed hot and crispy fries.

Just ask for some salt on the side — a free condiment at McDonald’s — and add it to your fresh fries (but be warned, you’ll infuriate the staff).

To guarantee fresh fries, ask for no salt.  You have to wait three and a half minutes while the staff puts a new batch in the fryer

To guarantee fresh fries, ask for no salt. You have to wait three and a half minutes while the staff puts a new batch in the fryer

ALLERGIES = FRESH FOOD

While staff have to regularly change their gloves, keep the burger manufacturing bench clean, and waste old meat, this can get out of hand during peak hours.

If you want a flawless burger that’s cooked properly, I suggest saying you’re allergic to an ingredient or gluten-free.

The kitchen staff take allergy requests very seriously – there is a huge liability if a customer falls ill – so they wear clean gloves, wipe the bench and take extra precautions with your order.

Meat, fish, chicken, and bacon are all placed in trays that are stored in timer-controlled warming cabinets (pictured above).  Once these timers expire, staff are told to waste the product

Meat, fish, chicken, and bacon are all placed in trays that are stored in timer-controlled warming cabinets (pictured above). Once these timers expire, staff are told to waste the product

If directing the requests to a member of staff seems odd to you, removing the condiments from your burgers and fries at the self-service machine is very simple.  Just click

If directing the requests to a member of staff seems odd to you, removing the condiments from your burgers and fries at the self-service machine is very simple. Just click “Customize Item” on the screen and follow the instructions

NO ICE = FREE REFRESHING DRINK

An old trick but a classic when you’re particularly thirsty but don’t have enough cash to top up your coke – ask for a soft drink without ice.

Staff are trained to fill nearly a third of the cup with ice to save money on soft drinks.

But be warned, an ice-free soft drink isn’t for everyone – it won’t be as cold as you’re used to and you’ll lack that refreshing icy kick.

NEVER ORDER A FILET-O-FISH LATE AT NIGHT

The Filet-o-Fish is an acquired taste and as such the demand for it is significantly lower than other burgers like the Big Mac or the Quarter Pounder.

As a result, the portion of fish can often sit on a heated shelf for hours – despite the clear guideline that it should be removed after the timer has expired.

If your heart is set on a late night filet-o-fish, I suggest politely asking the manager if you can have a fresh burger.

Here's how to get free Coke: Order a soft drink

Here’s how to get free Coke: Order a soft drink “without ice” — staff are trained to fill cups almost a third full with ice

CUCUMBERS, TOMATO SAUCE, WATER, SALT AND PEPPER ARE FREE

Customers are technically entitled to order pickles, tomato sauce, and salt and pepper, among other things, for free.

Try your luck by ordering a large batch of the above products – I saw one customer come out with a whole bag of pickles for free.

The respectful and friendly treatment of McDonald's employees (stock image) is very helpful

The respectful and friendly treatment of McDonald’s employees (stock image) is very helpful

BE POLITE

If you want quality customer service and fresh food, you’ll be surprised at how big a difference there is when you treat the staff decently.

Counter staff almost always go out of their way to ensure customers get fresh burgers when politely asked.

Conversely, customers who treat employees like they are their slaves will more than likely end up with that old cheeseburger or flat soda.

By Dan Peters for Chron Australia