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Ask HN: Are McFlurries suddenly back now that lawsuit is pending?

14 points by effingwewt ↗ HN
I've noticed all of a sudden all our local McDonald's are now selling mcflurries and whatnot after years of not being available.

IMHO this is super damaging to their case. I'm wondering if they actually sent techs out (doubtful) or they gave the stores bypasses they used to only use internally.

Either way just proves this years long ordeal could have been solved any time had they wanted it done.

14 comments

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byoung2
After hearing about the investigation I ordered one as a joke and it was actually available. The location has not had a working McFlurry at any time I've been there since 2018. It would seem that McDonald's has started allowing local franchises to fix the machines themselves instead if waiting for a repair tech from corporate
effingwewt
Same experience here in California, they went from none at any stores in years to all stores having them available.
throw03172019
Why would McDonald’s want to limit their revenue?
effingwewt
Kickbacks, which I assume must be substantial to compensate for lost ice cream and mcflurry revenue.

The machines were down for years, with the most insane upkeep and maintenance procedures.

I believe it's actually part of the lawsuit.

holden_nelson
My understanding is that McDonald’s corporate makes the vast majority of their money selling franchises [1], not burgers, and so they’re not concerned with unavailability of ice cream if it seemingly isn’t affecting their ability to sell franchises. Plus there may be other incentives, like kickbacks.

[1] will have to come back and link when not on mobile

LewisVerstappen
I've never had a problem ordering McFlurries over the past couple of years.

I'm in the US (Tristate Area)

effingwewt
Man you must have been one of the lucky few!

I for one missed them greatly. Perhaps moreso because I couldn't find one for the longest time.

anshumankmr
Is the lawsuit due to the fact that people on social media are paying attention to McDonald’s ice cream machines, most famously Johnny Harris on YouTube?