A former McDonald’s worker who worked at multiple branches has shared insider secrets – including fast food hacks, drive-thru speed tactics, and how to score free breakfast items
Follow these simple McDonald’s tips (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
McDonald’s has been a staple of British high-streets, shopping centres and service stations for decades. But there are still quirks we’re learning about the fast food giant.
One of the best ways to understand how Maccies operates is to speak to employees who have worked there. And that’s exactly what Hull Live did when they caught up with Emily Johnson.
The former fast food worker worked at two separate McDonald’s locations – one in Salford and another in Grimsby. She seemed to enjoy her time there and spilled some industry secrets that could save you money at Maccies in the future.
Apparently, the best time to get free food is mid-morning. McDonald’s breakfast is available when the fast food giant first opens and runs until 11am.
In this limited timeframe, customers can get their hands on items you can’t get when lunch rolls around. These include McMuffins, breakfast wraps and rolls, pancakes and porridge. However, a fan favourite menu item is definitely hash browns.
And if you arrive at the right time, you may just be able to bag some of these moreish hash browns completely for free.
When asked what becomes of breakfast food after 11am, Emily added: “It goes in the bin, unfortunately, but we would try to be as accurate as possible when cooking what we thought we would need.
“At Grimsby, if you turn up between 11am and 11.05am they will often offer you the leftover hash browns and McMuffins for free if there are some leftovers.” McDonald’s has been contacted for comment about this claim.
While the trick worked well when Emily worked at Maccies, it is not official company policy and you may not get as lucky when you visit.
To increase your chances of success, we recommend being as polite as possible to employees. If you don’t ask nicely, you don’t get! You can also try out more money-saving tips that are listed below….
More ways to get free food at McDonald’s
1. MyMcDonald’s Rewards (app points): scan on every purchase, then redeem points for free items.
2. App-exclusive deals/vouchers: the app regularly runs free/discounted item offers and bundles (often the biggest savings).
3. Limited-time “free with purchase” promos: occasional campaigns where you get an item free when you buy something else (typically shown in-app).
4. Receipt feedback offers (where available): some stores/promos give a discount or item incentive for completing a survey—availability varies.
5. McDonald’s Monopoly: this promotion typically takes place in autumn and gives customers the opportunity to win free food.