McDonald's: Want Water? You Will Pay For It.
Free cups of water at McDonald's are the next victim of the recession it seems. Reader Michael sent us this photo of a sign at McDonald's that proclaims the end to the free cup of water era. He says the cashier told him it was a "business decision."
It reads: "BOTTLED WATER ONLY. No Water Cups Available!"
What do they think they are? An airline?
GALLERY
END
(Thanks, Michael!)
Post a comment
Comments:
Unless I'm mistaken, certain jurisdictions have laws that restaurants/other food outlets must provide tap water to any patron if requested. I guess this isn't a universal law...
What if I bring my own cup?
If you get a combo meal and you want bottled water instead of a coke do they charge you extra? I would think that the few cents for the sugar in a cup they give you costs less than bottled water. If everyone asks for bottled water with their combo would they lose money?
Probably some rouge manager who will get in trouble for it eventually. A Wendy's near me tried that I called the 800 number comments line and told them about it. Never seen that sign again.
Like ten years ago I worked at a McDonalds for like 2 months. People would go through the drive thru and order just a water.
@corinthos: lol, rouge manager. Yeah, those people ordering a glass of water throght the drive thru would definitely make him/her red in the face!
I know this is illegal in Arizona and I think in California.
This is probably a single franchisee doing this. I doubt it's a corporate thing.
Also, as others have mentioned, I think it is a law to provide water when requested. It's a health thing.
Almost as bad as when the local gas station charges you for a cup of ice, even when you bring your own cup!
@Burgandy: actually yes. people are kind of jerks about this actually. you get a car full of teenagers asking for things like four large cups of water when your line is already 20 cars long during the bar run.
@sir_pantsalot:
Just like anything that doesnt come standard, its likly consiered an "upgrade" and you will be charged more for the water then the coke or whatever would have come with it. Mcdonalds whole game is the "upsell" so I dont see why this would be any different for them.
@conn88h: it makes sense in desert states. if you're that desperate for water go to a bathroom and drink from the sink. i've seen places that charge a quarter for water because they give the cup. it's hard to tell who's just doing it to be a smart ass.
Maybe it's because of the monopoly game, no free game pieces!
Taken out of context?
For example a local drivethru was only serving canned soda's and bottle water because the water main serving their location had been cut. Only affected that one restaurant.
@downwithmonstercable: Agreed about the single franchise thing. If it were corporate (which again, I don't think it is) the signage would be more professional looking. That sign looks like it was whipped up in 30 seconds on Word.
@conn88h: I've never heard of that before. But then again I've only ever lived in cold, northern states (Minnesota, Illinois, New York).
It makes sense for states in hotter climates (Arizona, California, Texas, et al).
@downwithmonstercable: Most of the McDonalds stores you see are just that. A single franchisee doing it once. I'm not being turned down for water, or charged for sauce, but my $1 menu is shorter then other people's because the guy that owns all the franchises in the area is a cheap ass.
No doubt as others pointed out they'll get rebuffed by either corporate, the city, or the state at some point.
It's probably to stop the .0009% who get the free kids cup and then fill it up with 7-up.
Not that I would ever do so. I hate 7-up.
@conn88h:
In Alabama, if you dont order anything they have to give you the water for free. Same context as restrooms; they have to available for use to anyone, not just patrons.
I'd keep a hose next to the drive-in window anyone that ordered a water would certainly get some.
@Corporate-Shill:
Cant operate without running water for washing. Cant operate without hot water either.
This was at my local McDonald's. The cashier said it was a "business decision."
Unlikely, most restaurants would have to close if there was no potable water, if there's no water to drink, there's none to wash with.
@tande04: I have noticed at the McDonald's by my house that they charge for sauce if you don't order a sauce-related item, or if you want extra sauce. Compared to jack in the Box, where if you ask for sauce they hand you like 80 packs.
Not that I'm a fast food expert or anything.......
@XianZhuXuande: Yeah, but it doesn't regularly get 110+ in the East Bay like it does here in Phoenix. You CANNOT refuse someone water. You MAY be able to sell them a minute amount for the cup, but even then you could possibly get into some serious legal trouble if you didn't give them water. It canb ecome a health hazard.
@brenton: Citation needed, please...I've never heard of or seen this supposed law and I've lived in Texas for 40 years.
Well...
As with most things in our modern culture, the concept of "common sense" is out the window!
As someone who has paid my dues working fast-food in the past, I sympathize with the angst created between 0100-0300 when all the drunks clog the drive-thru asking for free water and nothing more.
However, why piss-off all the customers actually ordering food or other menu items and SPENDING MONEY
If you're still eating at McDs with any regularity, you deserve to have to buy water. That shit'll kill you faster than cigarettes. Now that may be a slight exaggeration, but DUDES, stop eating that crap!!!
Anyway to digg this story down? We all know there's fast food franchises out there that nickel and dime their customers to death already. The recession is just bringing out a few more of them.
by then charging them for a cup of tap water, particularly given that these customers always got their water "free" before. (Sorry for the premature post submit ejaculation above :) ).
Seems to me the perfect compromise would be to charge for water if no other items ordered but continue to provide complimentary ice-water for those ordering other items.
Yes, but can I get cheese on that bottled water?
@corinthos: When people would just order the water from the drive thru, did you give it to them? Did they think that McD's is some sort of charity?
@conn88h: It is the drive thru. Not inside the restaurant. It makes perfect since not to waste time filling water cups for people in a drive thru. Inside they hand you a cup and it costs them no time when you ask for water. In the drive through its as much work as a normal drink. If the employee has to back up the whole line and do as much work to get you that water as a paid item, it stands to reason that they ban the practice.
@SiddhimaAmythaon: Drive thru. Most likely that law does not apply. And if it did, they could cover themselves by telling you to come inside if you need free water.
@sir_pantsalot: Bottled water probably still costs significantly more to the restaurant than fountain sodas. I would imagine that they would lose a lot more money.
I was upgraded to a large sized big mac meal the other day at my local mcdonalds, without asking for it they threw the extra 60 cents on my tab and gave me the larger drink and fries. I didn't notice until I got my food and probably wouldn't have complained about it anyway. I haven't been back to see if that's becoming a common trend.
No signs for bottled water though.
@Canino: I think you'll find your answer here: [www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us]
@katylostherart: According to the law cited above (and this is for Texas, I'm not sure about other states), a drinking reservoir must be established 75 ft away from a privy (or bathroom).
Maybe they're trying to thwart the "ghetto lemonade" trick (if you've worked in fast food at all, you know what I'm talking about). In which case, they just need to charge a quarter per lemon juice packet unless you're ordering iced tea. Then water can continue to be free.
@Burgandy: If I have my dog with me I'll ask for a cup of water in addition to my meal. However, if people are abusing the free water then I think management should say something to those people - NOT post a sign saying no water cups available!
@AMetamorphosis: According to
CHAPTER 341. MINIMUM STANDARDS OF SANITATION AND HEALTH PROTECTION MEASURES (in Texas), they have to serve it to you out of a "sanitary container." I guess if they didn't think it was sanitary, then they could refuse to serve it to you out of your own drinking cup.
@Corporate_guy: If they don't go into the building (just going through the drive thru) they should absolutely be able to charge for the bottled water with the excuse of "water cups are available inside only blah blah blah..." or that they have a drinking fountain inside.
@stacye: Thank you for that link. I was right. There is nothing in those statutes saying a restaurant in Texas must provide water to anyone.
@Applekid:
Or better yet, "make it bacon" from a few years back.
"Say make it bacon to add bacon to any menu item for 59¢ more!"
My worst idea from that was the bacon shake or McFlurry.
I worked at a restaurant that was across the street from the bus transfer station. Needless to say we had the same policy.
@ludwigk:
I used to work at an Arby's location where water was free if it was ordered with a purchase. Ya know, a Large roast beef sandwich and a cup of water (up to medium was free, large was 10 cents).
But if we had a group of teenagers come through ordering 4 large waters, we'd charge them 45 cents for each water. 9 times out of 10, they'd drive off screaming as they passed the window.
So people ask for water at the drive thru?