4 ms·

> What happens if the replacement parts aren't actually as good, safe or reliable as the originals? I don't see how that line of thinking is any different to t

> What happens if the replacement parts aren't actually as good, safe or reliable as the originals? I don't see how that line of thinking is any different to the argument manufacturers are making regarding right to repair. The response is simple, all parts must be G.A. and manufacturers can't force the company they are sourcing their parts from to not sell to third parties. McDonalds can very well sue the franchise for not following the guidelines and ordering bad parts.

Alupis 3y ago
Even if Taylor allowed anyone to repair their machines - McDonald's is unlikely to allow franchisees that privilege anyway, for all of the reasons listed above. McDonald's is also large enough of a customer that we can assume the specifics of this machine were tailored or custom-made in part just for McDonald's. The automated cleaning and self-diagnosis system is exactly what someone like corporate McDonald's wants - take those liabilities out of the hands of individual franchisees and fallible employees. Make is as dead simple as it can be... machine says no-go, then it's a no-go. McDonald's will not allow a system where a franchisee or random-employee decides the machine is "clean enough" and proceeds to use it anyway, potentially getting people sick. So what will be accomplished here in this specific situation? Probably nothing...
- MostlyStable 3y ago
  All of this sounds great until you realize that McDonald's ice cream machine reliability is by far the worst in the nation. There is no other chain that comes close. The meme is a meme for a reason. Somehow, these other chains manage to solve these issues without causing massive reliability problems. I wish I could find the videos now, but there was a decently convincing (although with the usual "documentary grain of salt" caveats) argument that McDonalds took a payout to allow Taylor to predatorily extract value while providing shit service to their Franchisees. McDonalds, the brand, is already suffering reputational damage from their craptastic ice cream but they apparently don't care. This makes the arguments about repuatational risk from shoddy repair parts fall flat.
  - Alupis 3y ago
    Perhaps, flipping it on it's head, the issue is so visible because McDonald's ice cream is by far the most popular fast food ice cream? From Cones to McFlurries to Milkshakes, I'm pretty sure they all use the same machine. McDonald's sells a tremendous amount of ice cream products. > I wish I could find the videos now, but there was a decently convincing (although with the usual "documentary grain of salt" caveats) argument that McDonalds took a payout to allow Taylor to predatorily extract value while providing shit service to their Franchisees. I find that very hard to believe. You're right, it's a meme for a reason after all, but sabotaging themselves makes no sense even if Taylor paid McDonald's for that racket. McDonald's has nothing to gain in that situation, only loss of reputation and revenue. > This makes the arguments about repuatational risk from shoddy repair parts fall flat. It doesn't though, and cannot just be hand-waved away. Imagine what the memes would be like if the machines were further degraded by bad parts or worse, got people sick at random locations. McDonald's has a right to force consistency. It's their brand, and ultimately their wallet that bears the consequences.
    - MostlyStable 3y ago
      They literally don't use the same machine. The McDonalds franchise contract requires them to use a specific, made-for-mcdonalds, model (mostly similar to the models sold to other chains, but not identical). And I'm pretty sure that people have done (informal) reliability studies by things like calling random franchises, and Mcdonalds isn't just more popular, it's actually less reliable.
      - Alupis 3y ago
        You misunderstood. The ice cream products from McDonald's all come from the same machine. I was not asserting they are the same machines at other fast food brands. The fact that these machines are likely custom made, or partially customized just for McDonald's is even more reason why it's reasonable for McDonald's to force franchisees to use specific vendors for repair/parts. Even with right to repair, McDonald's can force franchisees to use specific equipment and parts and vendors. That is their right as the brand owner. Which means... there is no reality where joe-random repair company is going to be allowed to repair joe-random franchisee's machines using parts sourced from who knows where. It's just not going to ever happen, there's too much liability. McDonald's wants a machine that's so brain-dead simple to use safely and keep sanitarily that even a new-hire with 5 minutes of training can operate it effectively. They get that by forcing standardization on one unit and one vendor, and software safety mechanisms that provide a firm no-go when something isn't right. > And I'm pretty sure that people have done (informal) reliability studies by things like calling random franchises, and Mcdonalds isn't just more popular, it's actually less reliable. You'll need some sort of source for this. Most fast food chains only sell one ice cream product, usually shakes or cones, maybe both. McDonald's sells McFlurries which are very popular, in addition to seasonal products and then the regular products. Given McDonald's is also the largest fast food chain in the world, it stands to reason they sell more ice cream products than anyone else. Which would, yes, mean the surface area is larger and more exposed. People go there specifically for a McFlurry and come away dissapointed. How many people go to Taco Bell specifically for a milkshake and nothing else?

Alupis 3y ago

Even if Taylor allowed anyone to repair their machines - McDonald's is unlikely to allow franchisees that privilege anyway, for all of the reasons listed above. McDonald's is also large enough of a customer that we can assume the specifics of this machine were tailored or custom-made in part just for McDonald's. The automated cleaning and self-diagnosis system is exactly what someone like corporate McDonald's wants - take those liabilities out of the hands of individual franchisees and fallible employees. Make is as dead simple as it can be... machine says no-go, then it's a no-go. McDonald's will not allow a system where a franchisee or random-employee decides the machine is "clean enough" and proceeds to use it anyway, potentially getting people sick. So what will be accomplished here in this specific situation? Probably nothing...

MostlyStable 3y ago
All of this sounds great until you realize that McDonald's ice cream machine reliability is by far the worst in the nation. There is no other chain that comes close. The meme is a meme for a reason. Somehow, these other chains manage to solve these issues without causing massive reliability problems. I wish I could find the videos now, but there was a decently convincing (although with the usual "documentary grain of salt" caveats) argument that McDonalds took a payout to allow Taylor to predatorily extract value while providing shit service to their Franchisees. McDonalds, the brand, is already suffering reputational damage from their craptastic ice cream but they apparently don't care. This makes the arguments about repuatational risk from shoddy repair parts fall flat.
- Alupis 3y ago
  Perhaps, flipping it on it's head, the issue is so visible because McDonald's ice cream is by far the most popular fast food ice cream? From Cones to McFlurries to Milkshakes, I'm pretty sure they all use the same machine. McDonald's sells a tremendous amount of ice cream products. > I wish I could find the videos now, but there was a decently convincing (although with the usual "documentary grain of salt" caveats) argument that McDonalds took a payout to allow Taylor to predatorily extract value while providing shit service to their Franchisees. I find that very hard to believe. You're right, it's a meme for a reason after all, but sabotaging themselves makes no sense even if Taylor paid McDonald's for that racket. McDonald's has nothing to gain in that situation, only loss of reputation and revenue. > This makes the arguments about repuatational risk from shoddy repair parts fall flat. It doesn't though, and cannot just be hand-waved away. Imagine what the memes would be like if the machines were further degraded by bad parts or worse, got people sick at random locations. McDonald's has a right to force consistency. It's their brand, and ultimately their wallet that bears the consequences.
  - MostlyStable 3y ago
    They literally don't use the same machine. The McDonalds franchise contract requires them to use a specific, made-for-mcdonalds, model (mostly similar to the models sold to other chains, but not identical). And I'm pretty sure that people have done (informal) reliability studies by things like calling random franchises, and Mcdonalds isn't just more popular, it's actually less reliable.
    - Alupis 3y ago
      You misunderstood. The ice cream products from McDonald's all come from the same machine. I was not asserting they are the same machines at other fast food brands. The fact that these machines are likely custom made, or partially customized just for McDonald's is even more reason why it's reasonable for McDonald's to force franchisees to use specific vendors for repair/parts. Even with right to repair, McDonald's can force franchisees to use specific equipment and parts and vendors. That is their right as the brand owner. Which means... there is no reality where joe-random repair company is going to be allowed to repair joe-random franchisee's machines using parts sourced from who knows where. It's just not going to ever happen, there's too much liability. McDonald's wants a machine that's so brain-dead simple to use safely and keep sanitarily that even a new-hire with 5 minutes of training can operate it effectively. They get that by forcing standardization on one unit and one vendor, and software safety mechanisms that provide a firm no-go when something isn't right. > And I'm pretty sure that people have done (informal) reliability studies by things like calling random franchises, and Mcdonalds isn't just more popular, it's actually less reliable. You'll need some sort of source for this. Most fast food chains only sell one ice cream product, usually shakes or cones, maybe both. McDonald's sells McFlurries which are very popular, in addition to seasonal products and then the regular products. Given McDonald's is also the largest fast food chain in the world, it stands to reason they sell more ice cream products than anyone else. Which would, yes, mean the surface area is larger and more exposed. People go there specifically for a McFlurry and come away dissapointed. How many people go to Taco Bell specifically for a milkshake and nothing else?