McDonald’s customers have been puzzled by the inconsistent application of free sauce distribution. However, the reason behind this variation lies in the autonomy granted to franchise owners. The McDonald’s FAQs explicitly state that some restaurants charge for ketchup and some don’t. This decision rests entirely with the franchise owner, who has the authority to set their own prices. As a result, they can opt to charge for additional sauces that fall outside of meal deals.
The official McDonald’s website further clarifies this point, emphasizing that a significant proportion of restaurants are owned by franchisees who have the freedom to establish their own pricing. Hence, some franchise owners may choose to charge for extra sauces if they are not part of a meal option.
A McDonald’s employee, sharing insights on the question-and-answer site Quora, shed light on the rationale behind the occasional stinginess with sauces. According to the employee, staff are not explicitly instructed to limit sauce distribution. Instead, they are guided by defined sauce packet allocations for each specific purchase. For instance, a four or six-pack nugget comes with one complimentary sauce packet, although an extra packet may be provided at the discretion of the employee.
For larger orders, the sauce allocation increases. A 10-pack nugget automatically entitles the customer to two free packets, with the potential for an additional free packet upon request. Similarly, a 20-pack nugget comes with three free packets, with the option for one more at the employee’s discretion. This tiered allocation aims to prevent excessive sauce usage, ensuring that the restaurant does not run out of supplies or incur unnecessary costs.
In the UK, it is customary to receive one or two complimentary sauce sachets with a McDonald’s order. However, customers should be prepared to pay for additional sauces if they request them. This practice is not unique to McDonald’s and is commonly implemented by other fast-food establishments to minimize waste and control costs.
