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I was Refused Service at McDonalds

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Old 05-17-16, 07:19 PM
  #1  
Maybelater
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I was Refused Service at McDonalds

I was out riding tonight on my single speed and didn't plan on any stops so I left my lock at home. I rode by a McDonalds and thought a ice cream would be nice. I couldn't risk leaving my bike unattended so I tried to order at the drive up speaker. I was refused service because my bike is not considered a motor vehicle. I explained that I couldn't leave my bike outside without a lock. They didn't care so I spoke to their manager and got the same answer. Apparently they don't like ride up customers or grumpy old men on bikes. I suggested they don't want my business and was told they don't want my business. So much for that relaxing ride. Am I being hypersensitive or is their corporate policy a few fries short of a happy meal?
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Old 05-17-16, 07:26 PM
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Yes, hypersensitive. Did you perhaps already know their drive through policy before asking them to change it?
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Old 05-17-16, 07:34 PM
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So as long as you were wearing shoes and a shirt.... why didn't you just hoist your bike to your shoulder walk in and order your cone?

If instead of forgetting your lock.... if you had forgot your money would you had expected them to serve you ice cream today... with a promise to be paid on Tuesday?

https://youtu.be/NJ6xBaZ92uA
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Old 05-17-16, 07:39 PM
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The manager should of offered to bring one to you at the front door.
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Old 05-17-16, 07:42 PM
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More than a few threads on this topic. Bring your bike inside or find a better neighborhood to stop at. They're concerned with liability if a lousy driver runs over you.
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Old 05-17-16, 07:42 PM
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They did you a favor. Go to a better place.
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Old 05-17-16, 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave Cutter
So as long as you were wearing shoes and a shirt.... why didn't you just hoist your bike to your shoulder walk in and order your cone?

If instead of forgetting your lock.... if you had forgot your money would you had expected them to serve you ice cream today... with a promise to be paid on Tuesday?

https://youtu.be/NJ6xBaZ92uA
I could have taken my bike in the restaurant but felt it wouldn't be appreciated. I had a locked bike stolen last week and wasn't taking any chances. It was the managers curt response to my inquiry that got me frustrated. I sensed a too big to care attitude.
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Old 05-17-16, 07:52 PM
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Hmmm don't think a single drive thru in my area allows bicyclists not just a Macdonald's thing. Even horseback riders cannot go through drive thru.
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Old 05-17-16, 07:54 PM
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What happened to the idea that a bike is a legal vehicle?
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Old 05-17-16, 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by PepeM
They did you a favor. Go to a better place.
Great advice! I will follow your recommendation....
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Old 05-17-16, 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by gregf83
..... or find a better neighborhood to stop at. ...
+1 I ride a pretty large area. But I make a point of knowing what is where. Some areas I ride through are sketchy enough... I don't stop (period). Other areas there aren't much to worry about. But even in the safest, nicest, of neighborhoods I don't leave my bike alone for long... and never unlocked.

But I also know I can carry my bike inside many park restrooms. I know where public outside drinking fountains are. I even know where I can get food (or an ice cream) and never walk away from my bike.

Originally Posted by Maybelater
I could have taken my bike in the restaurant but felt it wouldn't be appreciated. I had a locked bike stolen last week and wasn't taking any chances.
That sucks that you lost a bike... that's a real bummer.

Last edited by Dave Cutter; 05-17-16 at 08:02 PM.
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Old 05-17-16, 08:13 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by blue192
Hmmm don't think a single drive thru in my area allows bicyclists not just a Macdonald's thing. Even horseback riders cannot go through drive thru.

Perhaps it is not a corporate policy, but one set by the individual franchisee? I've seen on television where a McD's in Alaska accepted snowmobiles, for example.
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Old 05-17-16, 08:17 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by gregf83
More than a few threads on this topic. Bring your bike inside or find a better neighborhood to stop at. They're concerned with liability if a lousy driver runs over you.
Bingo. Further most fast food joints are like this. Several around here have explicitly put up signs on their drive-thru windows stipulating "only people in/on motor vehicles, otherwise go inside".
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Old 05-17-16, 08:17 PM
  #14  
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Choose another restaurant. McDonald's sucks anyway, and in every way. Worst major chain fast food joint and they don't deserve anyone's business because they don't even try to give half a damn. Their food is terrible, they're overpriced (except for the dollar menu), and most have indifferent and obnoxious employees and managers.

Send a constructively but strongly worded email or social media post to McD's national HQ. But don't expect much. If they gave a tiny damn we'd have seen some results long ago. McD's deserves to go out of business.

My mom used to pull up to the window at Sonic in her wheelchair, which cracked up the employees. She could have gone to the various parking lot or picnic tables but they humored her and served her at the window.

I usually stop at Sonic because they're ubiquitous in Texas and I can order from their covered picnic table patios.

If the joint isn't busy I'd take my bike inside. Most of the places I stop for a bite would probably find it amusing at worst. Otherwise I'll lock it where I can keep an eye on it.
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Old 05-17-16, 08:33 PM
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Dairy Queen I think is the only national chain with a "walk thru" window. So that you stand outside to buy ice cream, I have seen several smaller non chained ice cream shops do this too.
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Old 05-17-16, 08:39 PM
  #16  
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Many drivers do not pay attention to even other cars at drive up lanes. Ever see the near fender benders where two order lanes merge to one? I can see how cyclists can easily get hit. I don't blame McDonalds or any other place to not serve people outside of cars.
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Old 05-17-16, 08:49 PM
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I've had mixed luck with drive thrus, even at the same restaurants. It all depends on who is working and their mood.
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Old 05-17-16, 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by canklecat
Choose another restaurant. McDonald's sucks anyway, and in every way. Worst major chain fast food joint and they don't deserve anyone's business because they don't even try to give half a damn. Their food is terrible, they're overpriced (except for the dollar menu), and most have indifferent and obnoxious employees and managers.

Send a constructively but strongly worded email or social media post to McD's national HQ. But don't expect much. If they gave a tiny damn we'd have seen some results long ago. McD's deserves to go out of business.

My mom used to pull up to the window at Sonic in her wheelchair, which cracked up the employees. She could have gone to the various parking lot or picnic tables but they humored her and served her at the window.

I usually stop at Sonic because they're ubiquitous in Texas and I can order from their covered picnic table patios.

If the joint isn't busy I'd take my bike inside. Most of the places I stop for a bite would probably find it amusing at worst. Otherwise I'll lock it where I can keep an eye on it.
What the Cat said = +1. I can't remember the last time I was in a McDonalds. Many choices that are much better these days.
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Old 05-17-16, 08:51 PM
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I think taking the bike inside is a bad idea. It's a restaurant, not a bike park.
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Old 05-17-16, 08:58 PM
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Old 05-17-16, 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by canklecat
Choose another restaurant. McDonald's sucks anyway, and in every way. Worst major chain fast food joint and they don't deserve anyone's business because they don't even try to give half a damn. Their food is terrible, they're overpriced (except for the dollar menu), and most have indifferent and obnoxious employees and managers.

Send a constructively but strongly worded email or social media post to McD's national HQ. But don't expect much. If they gave a tiny damn we'd have seen some results long ago. McD's deserves to go out of business.

My mom used to pull up to the window at Sonic in her wheelchair, which cracked up the employees. She could have gone to the various parking lot or picnic tables but they humored her and served her at the window.

I usually stop at Sonic because they're ubiquitous in Texas and I can order from their covered picnic table patios.

If the joint isn't busy I'd take my bike inside. Most of the places I stop for a bite would probab
ly find it amusing at worst. Otherwise I'll lock it where I can keep an eye on it.
McDonalds is fast food and as far as fast food goes it is fine. Either way, Sonic is the same type of crap so not sure why you would even go there. You seem to have compiled a lot of data on McDonalds though as you made some pretty specific claims. Not sure how you got all that data unless you go there frequently. Weird...
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Old 05-17-16, 09:13 PM
  #22  
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Go to Sonic next time.
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Old 05-17-16, 09:17 PM
  #23  
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Burgerville in Oregn allows bikes to go through drive through. They're local and know we have lots of cyclists.
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Old 05-17-16, 09:22 PM
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Originally Posted by bakes1
McDonalds is fast food and as far as fast food goes it is fine. Either way, Sonic is the same type of crap so not sure why you would even go there. You seem to have compiled a lot of data on McDonalds though as you made some pretty specific claims. Not sure how you got all that data unless you go there frequently. Weird...
You're seriously going to play devil's advocate for McDonald's? Can't tell if trolling or just like to argue for the sake of arguing.

I do have to go there, at least once a month for day-long medical appointments to accompany my disabled mom, and occasionally to accompany disabled neighbors who don't have medical aides to help them on long medical appointment days. Usually I prefer the hospital cafeteria but it has very limited hours.

McD's only almost-decent meal is breakfast, which fortunately they now serve extended hours. Their food is terrible. If McD's ever accidentally puts something good on the menu, they'll discontinue it as soon as they discover their mistake. Sonic, Braum's, Wendy's, Whataburger, Burger King, Jack in the Box... all of 'em are better. Jack in the Box 99 cent dogfood tacos are better than anything on the McD's menu. The only fast food burger joint remotely as bad as McD's is In-N-Out Burger, which isn't actually bad just overrated and they cook their burgers into dried husks of formerly meat-like substances. On the plus side, our local In-N-Out lets homeless people rest and nap there, as long as they don't hassle customers. So, extra credit to them for that.
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Old 05-17-16, 09:22 PM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by PepeM
They did you a favor. Go to a better place.
You think the "better place" would serve the OP at the drive-in window or will let him park his bicycle inside by his table while he settles in with his ice cream cone?
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