The Ultimate Guide to McDonald‘s Employee Discounts in 2024
As a McDonald‘s employee, you may be wondering: what discounts can I get? This definitive guide has everything you need to know about scoring deals at McDonald‘s and beyond as an employee.
Do McDonald‘s Employees Really Get Free Meals?
According to McDonald‘s policy, crew members are entitled to one free meal per shift, only to be eaten during their break. However, based on employee reports, this policy is enforced to varying degrees by franchise location.
For example, one McDonald‘s worker on Reddit said their location was very strict—employees had to clock out for their break before claiming their free food. But others said their managers were more lax.
In addition to the potential free meal, employees enjoy free unlimited drinks (including sodas and coffees) while on shift. This can lead to huge savings for frequent McDonald‘s drinkers.
How Much is the Average McDonald‘s Employee Discount?
Employees get a 30% discount on all purchases from the McDonald‘s menu—whether dining in or taking food to go. This applies any time the employee is not on an active shift.
To put the savings into perspective, here‘s a comparison of menu items at regular price versus with the 30% employee discount:
| Item | Regular Price | Employee Price |
|---|---|---|
| Big Mac | $5.99 | $4.19 |
| 6-piece McNuggets | $4.49 | $3.14 |
| Filet-O-Fish | $4.39 | $3.07 |
| Medium Fries | $2.59 | $1.81 |
Based on average McDonald‘s employee hours, this could lead to over $1,000 in annual savings on dining!
Accessing Discounts Through the McDonald‘s Employee Portal
Employees can access their discount and other job perks through McD Perks—the McDonald‘s employee portal.
To get started, new hires need to register on the portal using their employee ID number provided by their hiring manager.
Once logged in, employees can view and print discount codes, which they can then present when ordering food to receive their 30% off. For convenience, the discount also automatically applies when employees use their registered payment card linked to their account.
Can Family and Friends Use My Employee Discount?
Unfortunately, McDonald‘s strictly prohibits sharing employee discounts with non-employees. The discounts are tied to the individual employee‘s account and cannot be transferred.
Some employees have reported being fired for repeatedly purchasing large orders clearly not intended only for themselves. So make sure to only claim your own discount!
What Other Discounts Can McDonald‘s Employees Get?
In addition to food and drink savings, employees may be eligible for other partner discounts including:
- Cell phone plans with up to 22% off service from providers like AT&T and Verizon
- Movie theaters, including up to 30% off AMC and Regal tickets
- Hotels and resorts with brands like Best Western
-Rental cars through Budget, Hertz, Avis, and others
These extra employee discount options vary quite a bit by franchise location. Check with your McDonald‘s HR department to see what partner discounts may be available.
A Look at Other Valuable McDonald‘s Employee Benefits
Along with discounts, McDonald‘s crew members can tap into other helpful benefits:
- 401(k) plan: Employees can save for retirement through tax-deferred payroll contributions with up to a 4% company match.
- Stock purchase plan: Purchase McDonald‘s stock at a 15% discount through payroll deductions.
- Tuition assistance: Get free high school completion courses plus up to $2,500 per year for college tuition.
- Health insurance: Crew members working at least 21 hours per week are eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage.
McDonald‘s also provides paid vacation time, opportunities for advancement, and more.
Conclusion: How to Make the Most of McDonald‘s Employee Discounts
The bottom line is that McDonald‘s employees have access to excellent discounts on dining, from free meals during shifts to 30% off regular prices. Employees can also often take advantage of partner discounts on other services.
To maximize savings as a McDonald‘s employee, be sure to:
- Register for an account on the employee portal to access deals
- Understand discount policies and avoid misuse
- Check with your franchise about additional partner offers
- Combine discounts with other employee benefits for huge savings!
With savvy use of these perks, the McDonad‘s employee discount can provide great value.
