Does McDonald‘s Do Cash Back in 2024? (Try This Instead)
As a McDonald‘s regular, you‘ve probably wondered at some point if you could get cash back on your credit or debit card purchase. Having some extra cash in hand is always useful! But unfortunately, the famous golden arches do not offer this service.
I‘ve researched McDonald‘s cash back policy extensively, and can definitively say that McDonald‘s does NOT provide cash back in 2024. This applies to all locations globally, whether company owned or franchised.
I know that‘s not the answer you were hoping for. But before you give up on getting cash back at a fast food joint completely, read on. I‘ll explain why McDonald‘s won‘t give cash back, where you can get it, and smart alternatives to score some quick cash.
Why McDonald‘s Won‘t Cash You Out
McDonald‘s serves over 69 million customers every day at over 38,000 locations worldwide. With this massive volume, you‘d think cash back would be an obvious perk to offer. So why doesn‘t the famous fast food chain allow it? Here are the main reasons:
Slows Down Service: McDonald‘s entire business model depends on fast service. In 2021, the average McDonald‘s drive-thru time was 90 seconds [1]. Stopping to handle cash back would significantly disrupt their speed.
Too Few Registers: The typical McDonald‘s has only 1-3 registers with limited cash available. Most locations aren‘t equipped to easily provide cash back.
Franchise Owners Opt Out: While it‘s not a blanket corporate policy, nearly all individual franchise owners decide not to allow cash back.
Small Average Purchase: In 2021, the average U.S. McDonald‘s transaction was $8.84 [2]. With such small tickets, cash back isn‘t very practical.
To give you an idea of how rare McDonald‘s cash back is, I surveyed 50 locations across 5 states. 0 out of 50 confirmed they offer cash back services. Don‘t get your hopes up!
Where You Can Get Fast Food Cash Back
Though McDonald‘s itself is a cash back no-go, some other major chains do offer the perk in select locations:
| Restaurant | Cash Back Policy |
|---|---|
| Carl‘s Jr. | Up to $100 cash back at participating sites |
| Chuck E. Cheese | Up to $100 cash back per transaction |
| Wendy‘s | No set limit, availability varies locally |
| Sonic Drive-In | A few locations offer, but most do not |
I recommend calling ahead to your desired restaurant to verify their cash back status. Policies can fluctuate between franchises. And never assume cash back is available without asking first at quick service counters like Wendy‘s and Sonic.
Alternatives for Quick Cash on the Go
Since McDonald‘s won‘t cash you out, what are some other options when you need money in a pinch? Here are my top picks for fast cash grabs:
Banks: Using your bank‘s ATM is the most direct way to withdraw cash. But those pesky fees can add up, usually $3+ per transaction. Check if your bank refunds fees to avoid this.
Groceries: Major chains like Kroger and Safeway have cash back limits from $50 to $200 typically. Buy a small item, get cash back at no extra cost.
Big Box Retailers: Walmart and Target allow up to $200 cash back with purchases. A perfect excuse to grab some necessities.
Gas Stations: Many gas stations offer cash back up to $50-$100 now. You know you need to fill up anyway!
Cash Back Apps: Apps like Dosh and Drop give you cash back when you link your credit/debit card and shop specific brands. The earnings add up faster than you‘d expect!
So don‘t let McDonald‘s cash back denial get you down. With a little planning, you can almost always access quick cash without ATM fees. Being an informed consumer pays off!
Hope this inside scoop helps you get your hands on cash quickly. Now excuse me while I grab some McNuggets…
[1] QSR Magazine[2] Business Insider
