These fast food secrets continue to perplex customers the world over. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down fast food facts that are kept on the down low, hidden, hard to access, or just plain hard to believe.
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00:00 To give you an idea of the scale of the problem, over 34% of McDonald's ice cream machines are broken right now in the state of New York.
00:07 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down fast food facts that are kept on the down low, hidden, hard to access, or just plain hard to believe.
00:15 Chicken and pancakes.
00:17 Like chicken and waffles but it's pancakes.
00:18 You're gonna just ask for this?
00:19 Yes.
00:20 Number 10, a Whopper of an issue.
00:24 Burger King employs a cooking approach in its kitchens where both plant-based Whopper patties and traditional beef Whopper patties share the same cooking space in the broiler.
00:32 Tastes like a Whopper.
00:32 Tastes like a Whopper.
00:33 Tastes like a beef burger.
00:34 This unconventional method is justified by the fast food giant as a means to preserve the flame-grilled taste of a classic Whopper.
00:40 Flame-grilled taste with perfect toppers, I rule this day.
00:44 But although the plant-based option contains no animal meat, there does exist a potential for some level of mixing during the cooking process, with oils and meat juices possibly transferring between the two varieties.
00:54 It is cooked on the same grill as regular burgers.
00:57 He's now filing a class action lawsuit accusing Burger King of deceptive practices.
01:01 The company, so far, isn't commenting.
01:04 Now you're in the know.
01:06 Number 9, roaming aromas.
01:08 Malls have a lot of smells going on.
01:10 For many, one nostalgic smell in particular stands out sweeter than the crowd.
01:16 But here's a secret.
01:17 In some Cinnabon stores, the enticing scent isn't just a byproduct of the baking process.
01:22 It's a carefully crafted experience.
01:24 They warm up baking sheets dusted with cinnamon and brown sugar to ensure that sweet aroma captivates every passerby.
01:30 Once that smell hit the mall and the shoppers followed their noses, a franchise was born.
01:36 However, not all malls embrace this aromatic strategy, as some have implemented aroma restrictions.
01:42 It's a fascinating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes efforts to create a sensory journey for mall goers, where even the air is curated.
01:48 And the smell was just as irresistible and good for business, as hungry shoppers in search of the scent found themselves at the Cinnabon counter ready for a taste.
01:59 Number 8, wrap sheet.
02:00 We have a foil-wrapped burger.
02:03 Looks nice and neat.
02:03 Ever wondered about the paper your burger is wrapped in?
02:06 A study published in a scientific journal might make you think twice.
02:09 It turns out that these seemingly innocuous packaging materials could be treated with so-called "forever chemicals."
02:14 PFOS, known as "forever chemicals," are in the grease- and water-resistant wrappers and fiber bowls used by many fast food restaurants.
02:23 According to the research, which tested hundreds of samples from various fast food chains, many food wrappers and french fries sleeves contained fluorine.
02:31 This revelation raised questions, as these fluorine-based chemicals have been linked to health and environmental concerns.
02:36 PFAS have been related to types of cancer, for example, liver and testicular cancer.
02:42 Some of the PFAS have been related to lower fertility.
02:46 Number 7, soft serve, hard sell.
02:49 That delectable blizzard, cone, or parfait from Dairy Queen might not be what you traditionally think of as ice cream.
02:55 First, you fill the crevice of the cone, followed by making two balls.
03:00 You're dropping as you do this, and then a flick of the wrist, and you have the perfect curl.
03:06 The soft serve at DQ boasts a modest 5% milk fat content, falling short of the FDA's requirement of at least 10% milk fat for a product to be officially labeled as ice cream.
03:16 Fall in love with the new fudge brownie temptation at Dairy Queen, topped with gooey fudge, moist brownie pieces, and whipped topping.
03:23 Dairy Queen is legally transparent about this distinction, openly sharing the information on its website FAQ section,
03:29 where it clarifies, "Technically, our soft serve does not qualify to be called ice cream, but how often do you check out their website before you order?"
03:36 Peanut Buster Parfait from Dairy Queen. Creamy DQ soft serve, crunchy peanuts, and hot fudge for just $2.49.
03:42 Number 6, flurry, no hurry.
03:44 That craving for a McDonald's hot fudge sundae might come with a side of uncertainty about the soft serve machine's status.
03:50 A curious investigation by the Wall Street Journal unraveled the mysterious saga of McFlurry machine malfunctions.
03:55 Why is it that their ice cream machines are always broken? It's become such a problem that even McDonald's has joked about it.
04:03 Contrary to the assumption of perpetual breakdowns, it turns out these machines are not broken, but are, in fact, seemingly engaged in a lengthy and meticulous cleaning process.
04:12 The soft serve contraptions dedicate up to four hours each day to this essential cleansing ritual, ensuring the hygienic standards required for the delightful frozen treats.
04:20 "If you show up at a McDonald's at 3 or 4 a.m. and they tell you that their machine is down, it's probably because it's running through this four-hour heat cycle."
04:27 So, the next time you encounter the soft serve dilemma, it's not a case of malfunction. It's simply the machine undergoing its daily spa session to serve up that perfect swirl.
04:35 "What do you get when you blend tempting candy or cookie toppings with creamy soft serve ice cream? Presenting McDonald's new McFlurry."
04:44 Number 5. The truth is out there.
04:46 Craving something beyond the usual at your favorite fast food joints? You're in luck. There's a world of secret menu items waiting to be discovered.
04:53 Ever heard of a McRunchburger?
04:54 "This is like a breakfast burger. McDonald's breakfast burger. Check it out right there."
05:00 What about something whipped up with Skittles and Jamba Juice?
05:03 Off-menu delights, while not always available, offer a tasty twist for curious orderers.
05:07 "If you order the Flying Dutchman, this is what you get. It comes in a box, people. A collector's edition box. Check this out. The Flying Dutchman."
05:15 The adventure doesn't end there. With many secret menu items spanning various establishments, the options are diverse.
05:21 "Fruity Pebbles Frappuccino!"
05:23 "F***! Apparently it tastes just like the cereal."
05:25 "I'll be the judge of that. I taste it and I kind of like it."
05:31 Just be ready to play the role of menu maestro as explaining your order might be necessary.
05:35 After all, not every employee might be acquainted with a full secret menu.
05:39 Number 4. You're being watched.
05:42 As the great Rockwell once sang,
05:43 "I always feel like somebody's watching me. And I have no privacy."
05:50 Well, when it comes to drive-thrus, you may not.
05:53 "Hello, how are you doing today?"
05:54 "Hi, how are you? Can I just go ahead and order what the person in front of me ordered?"
05:58 An employee at Starbucks shared videos on TikTok capturing the reactions of drive-thru customers as she serenaded them during their order pickups.
06:05 That's right, the workers can see you. You're on display.
06:08 "Hello. Yeah, totally normal order."
06:10 "Thank you."
06:13 Picking your nose? Dress like a slob?
06:15 Well, you just have to live with being visible.
06:17 But don't expect the change to let you know they're looking in and listening.
06:21 Number 3. How fast is too fast?
06:24 Fast food is meant to be, duh, fast.
06:26 But when you place an order for a beef patty at the Golden Arches,
06:29 you have no idea how absolutely wild the process is that is set in motion.
06:34 "McDonald's target is to feed hungry customers inside of a minute."
06:38 "60 seconds, yeah, absolutely."
06:39 Talk about warp speed.
06:41 As revealed by a McDonald's employee to Reader's Digest,
06:44 the secret lies in the clam grills that operate at a scorching 750 degrees.
06:48 In just 38 seconds, the grill transforms the ingredients into the iconic regular beef hamburger.
06:53 The new grill, for example, is automated.
06:56 It simultaneously cooks both sides of the burger.
06:59 "There's no burger flippers anymore."
07:01 In seconds.
07:02 "38 seconds, that's it."
07:04 And if you're craving a quarter pounder, it takes a mere 70 seconds.
07:07 We've come a long, long way from sitting around campfires with meat on a stick.
07:12 "There's no system better than the McDonald's system."
07:14 Number 2. No end to the spin.
07:17 Do you think you're in control, immune to ordering more when you don't feel like it?
07:20 "Technological makeovers restaurants around the globe are getting these days
07:24 almost always involve kiosks that allow customers to personalize orders and place them quickly."
07:30 Well, here's the thing.
07:31 When you opt for a self-service kiosk instead of the drive-thru or counter at restaurants,
07:35 expect that you might end up spending around 20% more.
07:38 It's not just a coincidence.
07:40 These kiosks are cleverly programmed to upsell,
07:43 suggesting additional items to enhance your order.
07:45 "If you've ever used a kiosk, you probably notice it's a lot easier to upcharge you,
07:49 because they offer you things like, 'Do you want avocado? Do you want a pastry with that?
07:52 Do you want this special drink or sauce or whatever it may be,
07:55 things that a cashier may not ask you?"
07:57 This combination of digital upselling and a laid-back atmosphere creates an environment
08:02 where customers might find themselves treating their taste buds and wallets to a bit,
08:06 or a lot more than they initially planned.
08:08 "One of the positives about technology at fast food restaurants
08:11 is that you can customize your own orders so that you can get it however you like it."
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08:30 Number 1 - What's in the box?
08:34 Before you zoom away from the drive-thru,
08:36 it's a good idea to take a quick peek and double-check your dinner order.
08:39 "Welcome to McDonald's, how can I help you?"
08:41 "Yes, I would like a number two, please."
08:44 "All of us have probably dealt with a drive-thru order mistake."
08:48 According to one study,
08:49 the chances of order errors spike significantly during the dinner rush.
08:52 "The wrong sauce on an order of Sonic Chicken Tenders
08:56 reaching a boiling point at Southeast 44th and Sunny Lane."
08:59 "Guess they were upset over their order."
09:01 One estimate is that some 20% of orders go awry during the bustling dinner hours,
09:06 in contrast to the relatively smoother operation during the less crowded mid-morning stretch,
09:11 where the error rate stands much lower at 13%.
09:13 "Thursday night, the drive-thru at this McDonald's.
09:16 Detectives say when 22-year-old Tiana Jones got the wrong order,
09:20 her frustration exploded into frenzy."
09:23 So it seems like a bit of extra vigilance might save you from any unexpected surprises
09:27 when you're unwrapping your to-go meal in the evening hustle.
09:29 Do you know any fast food secrets?
09:31 Let us know in the comments below.
09:33 "The kiosk is a great way to get you moving in and out of that restaurant very quickly
09:37 and maybe customize your order and spend a little more money along the way."
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