I do not appreciate being asked to pull forward when my order consists of standard menu items.
Today, I placed a mobile order approximately 7-8 minutes before arriving to this McDonald's. When I got to the window, I waited an additional 2-3 minutes before anyone acknowledged me. After receiving half of my order, I was instructed to pull forward. They were waiting on more fries...let me repeat that, FRIES were the hold up here. That is literally the one item that should always be at the ready.
I refused, because I’m tired of being burned by McDonald’s orders that are incomplete once you leave the window. The employee said "Yes, you ARE going to pull up," and when I refused, her ultimatum was either pull up or get a refund. She then tried to guilt me into pulling forward by saying the order behind me was “just ice cream,” which is completely irrelevant and honestly, manipulative. Another customer’s order has nothing to do with mine.
Within 15 seconds of the employee starting this argument, another employee brought the rest of my order to me, proving it was essentially ready the entire time.
I know I'm not the only one tired of fast food restaurants trying to pad their service-time metrics with this pull forward nonsense. Had I ordered something special, I would have pulled forward. But that is a ridiculous expectation for standard menu items.
Side note: Because I have a child with special needs, I'm not in a position to simply take a refund, wait an unreasonable amount of time, or deal with incomplete orders. Of course, the employee doesn't know my life, but it's just a reminder that everyone's situation is unique, and everyone deserves kindness.
This experience was frustrating, avoidable, and poorly handled.