30 Things We Only See In McDonalds

1. The Golden Arches

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One of the biggest identifying features of McDonald's is the electric yellow of The Golden Arches.  You see them and you know exactly where you are - there's no mistaking it!  But did you know that some locations around the world only have a single arch?  Interestingly it has been reported that the original arches that were created in signs in the 1950s weren't intended to actually look like an 'M' and instead were just, in fact, arches that fit in with the building's design.

2. ...that aren't always golden!

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The Golden Arches in some locations aren't actually golden either and you might come across signs in blue or white.  In fact, in Sedona, Arizona, the blue color was chosen because it blended in better with the beautiful scenery surrounding the location, rather than overpowering it like the luminous yellow would.

3. Ronald McDonald

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The fast-food chain's mascot is Ronald McDonald.  He's a tall clown usually dressed in yellow with red curly hair and a lasting grin on his face. He has gone through many outfit changes in his time, including a paper cup nose and a striped suit. But his yellow overalls that we all recognize today were created by theatrical costume designer, Ann Hould-Ward.

4. The Hamburgler

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One of the lesser-known mascots is the Hamburglar, but you might know this particular name as pro ice hockey goalie, Andrew Hammond's nickname. According to some sources, Hammond earned his nickname when he accepted a burger that a fan had thrown onto the ice. But because it was so cold, he couldn't eat it, meaning that the fast-food powerhouse giving him a lifetime of free (hot) burgers!

5. Happy Meal

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You won't see a Happy Meal anywhere else either!  Here's an interesting fact:  Did you know that McDonald's has been reported to be the world's biggest toy distributor?  It's true, each year the fast-food powerhouse gives away over 1.5 billion toys with its Happy Meals worldwide!

6. Big Mac

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McDonalds is also well-known for its Big Macs. You know that iconic burger with two patties and the secret recipe Big Mac sauce?! But, interestingly, despite its fame, the Big Mac is not the fast food chain's biggest seller.  In fact, you might be surprised to learn that the French Fries are!

7. McFlurry Spoons

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Now, you'll probably find something similar to a McFlurry in other food chains but you might not find that strangely square spoon, right? Well, it makes way more sense when you learn what it's actually for (and no, it's not for sucking the ice cream up like a straw). The spoon is hollow because it fits snuggly into the blending machine and once your toppings are added, the spoon is able to spin and distribute them evenly. See, it makes perfect sense!

8. Filet-O-Fish

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You might not be able to get a Filet-O-Fish anywhere else either! And you can thank a store manager from Ohio for that one.  You see, according to sources, in a very Catholic area in Ohio, the store manager of a local McDonald's noticed a drop in the amount of hamburgers and chicken burgers being eaten during Lent. So he came up with this meat-free alternative that launched back in 1962.

9. Drive-Thru

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The McDonald's Drive-Thru is always there when you're peckish and you don't even need to leave your vehicle!  One interesting fact about the Drive-Thru is that the UK's late Queen Elizabeth actually owned one too that she could see from Windsor Castle.  It's true, according to some sources, she bought it for £92 million back in 2008!

10. Ski-Thru

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And if you've not got your car with you, no worries, you can even get your McDonald's fix on skis!  Skiers in the resort of Lindvallen in Sweden don't even need to take off their skis to order and eat their McDonald's meal!  McSki is a skier's dream equivalent to the Drive-Thru!  Imagine whizzing down the mountain with your fries - magical!

11. PlayPlace

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If you've got kids, you might also be familiar with the McDonald's PlayPlace at some of their restaurants. They have indoor and outdoor play areas for you to throw your kids in whilst you enjoy your McCafe Coffee.  If you're ever in Orlando Florida, be sure to check out the biggest Play Place in the world, complete with 100 arcade games, a 500-gallon aquarium, and a waterfall!

12. Chicken McNuggets

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Debuted in 1983, Chicken McNuggets have been a McDonald's favorite for decades.  The McNuggets you've grown up with haven't always had good press, though, if you can remember that viral video that claimed they contained pink slime (they don't).  They do contain 40 ingredients though and are particularly fun to eat because they come in 4 distinct shapes: the boot, the bone, the bow, and the ball.

13. McCafe

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Conceptualized and launched in Melbourne, Australia, McCafe generates more than $4 billion a year in the US alone.  There has been speculation on why McCafe is so popular across the world and a lot of it is down to how much more affordable it is than its competitors, not to mention the endless customization options, ensuring that you get your perfect beverage.

14. Apple Pie

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We've all been burnt by the molten apple from a McDonald's Apple Pie, right?  Once we smell the distinctive cinnamon aroma, it's quite common to be a little too impatient to wait for it to cool, we just want to indulge right away!  Some branches have their own seasonal specials too, like the Holiday Pies, with festive fillings!

15. McLobster

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It's not only different countries that have exotic variations in their menus. In fact, the US has many regional specials, just like the McLobster which you can find in many branches across New England during the Summer. So you don't need a passport to experience different McDonald's menus!

16. Bubur Ayam McD

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Across the world in Malaysia, one breakfast option that you'll find is the Bubur Ayam McD.  This is a traditional Malaysian breakfast option which is a rice porridge, garnished with spring onions, ginger, shallots, and chillies that is served with chicken strips.

17. Triple Cheeseburgers

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In the UK, McDonalds launched it's Triple Cheeseburger on its Saver Menu. This option is exactly how it sounds too, with three beef patties and cheese served in a bun with relish. The UK branches trialed the burger for a short while before adding it to their permanent menu in late 2020.

18. Customers who can't get enough cheese

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Reddit.com

Funnily enough though, the Triple Cheeseburger doesn't cut it for some people.  In fact, one McDonald's employee over in the UK said that people regularly order extra cheese for their burgers, even when there are already three slices on it!  They just can't seem to get enough of those slices!

19. Strange coffee habits

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Mirror.co.uk

There are a few strange habits that have been observed too, not to mention these habits, or 'hacks' as people like to refer to them, trending on social media platforms such as TikTok. One coffee 'hack' people have is ordering a Vanilla Milkshake and an espresso shot and, you guessed it, pouring that shot into the shake!  Whether it works or not, we'll let you be the judge!

20. People asking if the fries are hot...

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And whilst we're on the strangest habits only McDonald's customers seem to have, why not mention what one employee referred to as one of the most annoying questions to be asked ever?  The question: "Are the fries hot?!"  In fairness, you would prefer hot french fries, would you?

21. ...And suing for the strangest things

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People tend to sue for the strangest things, and when it comes to McDonald's, the customers are no different. In fact, in 1999 one woman from Knoxville, Tennessee, sued the chain for $110,000 for scalding her chin after a pickle from her hamburger landed on it leaving her with second-degree burns. One source refers to another man in 2014 sued the restaurant chain for $1.5 million after he only got one napkin, causing him "undue mental anguish".

22. The best Coke ever

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Don't you agree that the Coke from the machines at McDonald's is actually the best-tasting Coke ever?  The truth is, many people do and apparently, McDonald's gets their deliveries of Coke syrup in stainless steel tanks rather than plastic bags like everywhere else.  And this is said to preserve its freshness...

23. Far Out Decor

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Some of McDonald's restaurants are famous for their far-out decor.  Like one branch in New Zealand where you can enjoy your meal inside a real-life retired plane.  Then in Dallas, you can enjoy your meal inside the World's Biggest Happy Meal, complete with a huge Coke, Big Macs, Fries, and their very own mascot: Ronald McDonald.

24. The off-menu items

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Those who are 'in the know' claim that McDonald's has a secret menu, with many past items actually available off-menu.  Popular secret items include the Poor Man's Big Mac, the Big Mac'N'Cheese (basically a Big Mac without the burgers), and the array of Top-Not-So-Secret sauces available to dip your fries into!

25. The Bag-Tray

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Back in April 2015, the Bag-Tray was launched in Hungary.  The Bag-Tray is basically a paper bag that turns into a tray.  It is said to make it much easier to eat and transport food on the go.  But even though it was dubbed "The Future of Take-out", it doesn't seem to have caught on anywhere else.

26. The Hula Burger... Once upon a time...  For a short time...

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The Hula Burger didn't last long but for a short while in 1962, McDonald's customers could enjoy an alternative to meat during Lent.  Invented by Ray Croc, the Hula Burger was basically a slice of pineapple on a bun with some cheese.  Needless to say, it didn't catch on and has been described as the chain's worst-selling item.

27. Dozens of ingredients

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You may or may not be surprised to learn that the menu items at McDonald's contain dozens of ingredients.  Like did you know that Chicken McNuggets have nearly 40 ingredients in them, whilst the McRib tops the list at around 70 different ingredients?  Not only that, but the humble French Fry, McDonald's biggest seller has 14 individual ingredients!

28. Menu Hacks

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Interestingly, you can actually hack certain items on the menu at McDonald's.  Like, did you know, you can actually make a Poor Man's Big Mac, saving you up to £3.99?  All you have to do is order a McDouble, ask for extra lettuce and Big Mac sauce, and hold the mustard and ketchup.  And no one's going to miss that third bun, are they?

29. Not Sarah Michelle Gellar

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Whether she still is or not is unknown, but there was a time when Sarah Michelle Gellar was banned from entering any McDonald's restaurants!  You see when she was 4 years old, she was involved in a Burger King ad that slated McDonald's.  So according to some sources, her name was listed on the lawsuit banning her from entering any McDonald's!

30. Being able to find a McDonald's almost anywhere you go

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It feels like you can find a McDonald's almost anywhere in the world and most people will be familiar with many things that are unique to the huge fast-food chain.  But interestingly, you won't find one in around 123 countries around the world.  In fact, in certain countries, the chain is banned!  These include Bermuda, Kazakhstan, Montenegro, and Macedonia!