Why McDonald's ice cream machines are seemingly always broken (MCD)

Instagram/McDonald's

McDonald's won widespread praise earlier this year when the fast-food chain said it would be replacing its ice cream machines after years of complaints from customers.

But five months after the announcement, McDonald's ice cream machines are still letting customers down.

Thousands of customers have been complaining on social media, saying that the machines are almost always broken when the craving for McFlurries or soft serve strikes.

In some cases, the machines might not actually be broken — they could just be out of service for cleaning, according to The Wall Street Journal.

McDonald's requires the machines to undergo a nightly cleaning cycle that can last four hours. During that time, they can't serve ice cream.

The replacement machines are meant to fix that problem. They have fewer parts and are easier to maintain.

But that doesn't explain why customers are still complaining about the machines.

We asked McDonald's about the ongoing complaints, and it turns out the machines still haven't been replaced.

While the company has identified replacement machines, it hasn't yet rolled them out in restaurants, according to a McDonald's representative.

"In order to better serve our customers the delicious treats they enjoy, we have identified new soft serve equipment options, and are working hard to make these available for restaurants as quickly as possible," the representative said.  

For now, customers will have to continue to take a gamble on whether the machines will be in service when they get an urge for McDonald's soft-serve. 

Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/897259922328506368
@McDonalds just hit me up with the "our ice cream machine is broken" pic.twitter.com/pE5FfZ5FqBTweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/896038471009226752
What good is this if the McD's ice cream machines are always broken?Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/897500708697653250
if only your ice cream machines weren't always brokenTweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/893627666976428033
McDonald's ice cream machine is broken 95% of the time. Must be why none of the employees can produce a decent cone. ????#itsnotthathard #mcdTweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/897869316233846784
The next time I pull up to McDonalds and get told their ice cream machine is broken. I'm squaring up ???????? pic.twitter.com/Kp63jN5CqWTweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/897636960679997440
At McDonalds and the ice cream machine is already broken ????????????Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/897627346924167168
WHY IS MCDONALDS ICE CREAM MACHINE ALWAYS BROKEN?!?!Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/897613511567781888
I just want a hot fudge sundae from @McDonalds and their ice cream machine is broken aT TWO LOCATIONS????Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/897349989554298880
We went to mcdonalds and the ice cream machine was broken I'm doneTweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/897338355993554944
I thought twitter was being dramatic with those @McDonalds "broken" down ice cream machines. Just happened to me. @Wendys frostys win ❤️Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/897235522028011525
@McDonalds y'all need update your ice cream machines or something. More than half the time I ask its "broken"Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/897143717840244736
It's 2017, why are the ice cream machines always broken @McDonalds

 

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