Best subscription boxes for women 2019: Here are our favorites - Mashable

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Best subscription boxes for women 2019: Here are our favorites - Mashable


Best subscription boxes for women 2019: Here are our favorites - Mashable

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 12:00 AM PDT

You don't necessarily have a say in what you receive in a subscription box, but we found some reliably great services that are worth the risk.

The way people shop has been changing for years — brick and mortar stores are being outshined by online retailers, and now social media platforms are even in the game, e.g. Instagram's shop feature. Another form of shopping that has gained traction in the last few years is subscription services

In most cases, you don't have direct say over what you receive in a subscription box, which is part of the fun. You get to discover new products or snacks or recipes in a sort of surprise fashion. Being a part of a subscription service is basically like getting a present in the mail on a regular schedule.

Women are the top demographic for subscription services, according to Hitwise. Which makes sense when you consider how many beauty and lifestyle subscription boxes there are. The industry as a whole has been propelled by women.

After hours of reading reviews and watching unboxing videos (which I'm now obsessed with, BTW), we've rounded up some of the best subscription services for women.

SEE ALSO: 13 of the best subscription boxes for men

When deciding on a service to subscribe to, there are some things for you to consider. Obviously, you'll want to make sure it's something you're actually interested in, whether that's beauty, clothing, fitness, books, or whatever else you're into. Price and number/quality of products are huge factors as well. With a subscription service, you want to make sure you're at the very least getting something worth the amount you pay; often you want to opt for a subscription that delivers a value more than what you pay. Also take into account if the products are sample- or full-size.

Because of the nature of subscription services, you don't necessarily know what you're receiving or have much authority in the matter. For this reason, services often deliver an overall product worth much more than what you're dropping on it. They often promise a retail value considerably higher than what they charge.

To go along with pricing, shipping is something to keep in mind. Are you going to have to pay extra or is it included? You'll also want to look into the different payment plans that companies offer. You can typically save some money if you prepay for multiple deliveries at once.

Aside from that, take into account how often you'll receive an order. Subscriptions can come as frequently as multiple times a week to as infrequently as once every three months, though most deliver once a month. 

Now that you're equipped with the necessary background knowledge, check out 17 of the best subscription boxes for women with all kinds of needs and tastes.

Somewhat customizable • Each box has a guaranteed value of more than $200
Only four boxes per year
For the price, you'll receive some great items from this subscription box.

1. FabFitFun

FabFitFun sends eight to 10 full-sized beauty, health, and lifestyle products on a quarterly basis.
  • Quarterly: $49.99 per box
  • Annually: $179.99 per year
FabFitFun is a quarterly subscription box that includes eight to 10 full-sized products varying in use. You get a new box for each season, which will include some themed items. For example, the spring boxes might include florals while winter boxes can include accessories like scarves and blankets.
Boxes from FabFitFun can vary among customers. Each seasonal box includes set items that appear in everyone's package, but also features items that might be swapped out for others. The interchangeable items are typically within the same category of product and within the same price range. You have the ability to choose them before the box ships or leave it as a surprise.
Speaking of price, a FabFitFun box will run you $49.99, but includes at least $200 worth of products. Each box comes with a booklet that gives you more information about each item in the box and their monetary values. Products include items like skincare, makeup, workout tools, accessories, books, and more.
Reviewers both on the FabFitFun official site and on YouTube have little to complain about with this subscription box. You might not like every single item that arrives, but you'll likely get use out of most of the products, whereas some surprise boxes have off months where you might not like anything that shows up at your door. (But you can always re-gift!)
As mentioned, FabFitFun costs $49.99 per box. Or you can prepay for a year (four boxes) for $179.99, which will save you $20 compared to paying box-by-box.
Typically cheaper than buying new hardbacks elsewhere • Can skip any month without paying
No say in which five books are listed each month
For those who regularly read, Book of the Month is a good source to find new books.

2. Book of the Month

Book of the Month subscribers choose from five new hardback books for $14.99 each month.
  • Monthly: $14.99
  • Annually: $149.99
Book of the Month is basically like being in a book club with strangers all over the United States. Judges for the service find five books each month, and then you decide which one you want. Each book is a hardback new release, which can sometimes cost you more than $20 if you pick them up at a bookstore or at Amazon — with Book of the Month you pay $14.99 for your monthly choice.
The books range in genre and length, and Book of the Month provides discussion boards for readers to talk about each book with one another. In order to choose the book you want to read, Book of the Month provides a synopsis, judge commentary, and an infographic chart to help you discover which of the choices is most fitting for you.
The service operates on a credit system, so $14.99 gets you a book credit, which you can either use or skip and save for another month. There's also the option to add on up to two additional reads every month for $9.99 each. 
When signing up, you have the option to go monthly and pay the $14.99 each time you want a book, or annually and get 12 credits for the price of 10 ($149.99). With both plans you can skip any time you want and credits will roll over. Shipping is free, so you just pay for what you get.
Multiple plans • Athletic shoes
Plans can get pricey
Her Fit Club is one of the most complete athletic wear subscription boxes on the market.

3. Her Fit Club

Her Fit Club is an athletic wear subscription with plans that include clothing, fitness gear, and athletic shoes.
  • Fashion Fitbox: $64.99 per month
  • Beauty Fitbox: $74.99 per month
  • Move Fitbox: $79.99 per month
  • Premiere Fitbox: $149.99 per month
Her Fit Club wants to act as motivation for women to be active, whatever that looks like for different individuals. The subscription service does this by sending a workout outfit, beauty products, home workout equipment, and name brand athletic shoes each month.
Subscribers have four plans to choose from. The basic plan is solely focused on fashion and you'll get a workout top and bottom picked out by a stylist. The next level up includes two to three beauty products. The other two plans are geared more toward fitness with the addition of home workout gear and athletic shoes.
The most expensive plan is $149.99, but it includes a new pair of athletic sneakers from brands like Asics and Nike. An outfit is standard in every box and includes bottoms and one or two tops, usually a sports bra and athletic shirt or jacket.
There are tons of athleisure/athletic wear subscription boxes, but Her Fit Club is unique because of the different tiers and the offerings of shoes. It's one of the most complete fitness boxes on the market. 
Book included in every box • New online training each month
Shipping is not included in the price
Hustle Sparkle Grow is a fun, helpful box for those interested in business.

4. Sparkle Hustle Grow

This subscription includes training and products to enhance entrepreneurs and fosters an online community.
  • Monthly box: $44.95 per month plus $6 shipping
  • Monthly mailer: $27.95 per month plus $3 shipping
Calling all boss ladies: This subscription box is for you. Sparkle Hustle Grow is a monthly service for female entrepreneurs — it's more than just a box, a subscription also puts you into an online community.
The box includes four to six items like office supplies, tech gadgets, and stationery — they vary each month. What stays consistent is that in your box you'll find a card that grants you access to an online course within the entrepreneur realm and a book covering topics like self-help and business. Some past books include Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis and The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.
In addition to a monthly box of goodies, you also get added into Sparkle Hustle Grow's private Facebook group where you can discuss the books and trainings from the box, swap business ideas, and collaborate with the other women in the group.
Sparkle Hustle Grow is designed to help you grow your business and find motivation and inspiration for your daily life. Box subscriptions start at $44.95 if you choose a month-to-month plan, but you can get a free month if you sign up for the annual plan and pay upfront. 
If the box is a bit above your price range but you still want to be involved in the community and have access to training, Sparkle Hustle Grow offers a mailer option, which is a smaller, cheaper version of the box. The mini-mailer includes the business training online course and the book, as well as access to the online community. Month-to-month plans for that are $27.95.
Super personalized • Can skip any month
Inconvenient cancellation process
If you're really into wine, Winc is a fun way to discover new bottles.

5. Winc

Winc learns your taste and suggests wines accordingly.
  • Monthly: Starts at $39 for three bottles
Unless you're a sommelier or speak Italian, your eyes might glaze over as you try to decipher the difference between wines. It's easy to have a basic understanding of your white vs. red preference, but getting specific takes some knowledge. 
Winc is a subscription service that takes the guesswork out of wine. You start out by taking a quiz that asks about your taste in coffee, salt, fruit, and earthy flavors, plus how adventurous you are with food and drink. After answering the questions, you choose number of reds and whites you want in your order and Winc gives suggestions based on the quiz results.
A Winc membership is free and bottles start at $13 each. It's a monthly service, but you can skip any month you want. If you order three bottles, you pay $9 in shipping, but once you add a fourth bottle, shipping is free. So, you basically get rewarded for treating yourself more. After you order wine, you can rate your selections to get better recommendations. Plus, Winc has a satisfaction guarantee, so you don't have to pay for bottles that you didn't like.
If you want to just buy wine from Winc, you can do so without signing up for the monthly membership; however, you'll pay higher prices and don't get the satisfaction guarantee. The annoying part of the membership is if you forget to select that you're skipping a month, your box will ship and you'll be charged. Membership cancellation also seems to be a bit of a pain as you have to either call or live chat with someone from Winc in order to cancel.
Products curated based on taste • Brand-name products
Ipsy figures out what kind of makeup and beauty products you like and sends you five samples for $10 a month.

6. Ipsy

For the price, Ipsy is a very rewarding beauty subscription.
  • Glam Bag: $10 per month
  • Glam Bag Plus: $25 per month
Ipsy is like the Spotify Discover Weekly of beauty products. It's a monthly service that mails you five sample-size beauty products based on your preferences. When signing up, you take a quiz to let Ipsy know your shades and what kind of products and brands you're most interested in.
Products in your Ipsy Glam Bag might include lipstick, eyeshadow, dry shampoo, makeup brushes, and a lot more. There's a ton of variety with this subscription, which is great for people looking to expand their collection of beauty products and try new brands and items. All items come in a legitimate cosmetic bag, and the best part is Ipsy costs just $10 a month.
Ipsy is a brand loved and used by beauty vloggers and you'll have no trouble finding videos of unboxing and honest reviews (which are overwhelmingly positive, by the way).
In addition to the standard Glam Bag, Ipsy has started offering a Glam Bag Plus, which includes five full-size products every month for $25. You can add it on in addition to your standard subscription or you can replace it. 
One of the only downsides to Ipsy is that there is a waitlist when signing up. But the good news is that there is usually an opportunity to bypass the wait by making a post and sending a message on Facebook.
Inexpensive • Based on personal taste
Not super high quality
For $3.49, you receive pretty good earrings to add to your lineup.

7. EarFleek

EarFleek sends you a new pair of earrings every month for less than $4.
  • Standard subscription: $3.49 per month
  • Premier subscription: $9.93 per month
Some subscription boxes can be pretty pricey, but EarFleek will only cost you $3.49 a month. With that, you get a new pair of earrings on a monthly basis and you can choose from three different style themes: boho, minimalist, or fun — or you can select the "I don't give a hoot" option and receive a pair from any of the categories.
Though you choose the general style of earring, you don't get to select the exact pair you'll receive. It's a surprise every month, though when you sign up you will swipe through EarFleek's selection Tinder-style so the company can get a feel for your personal style.
The earrings from EarFleek are nickel-free, so you don't have to worry about them irritating your skin. Though, because they are so inexpensive, some customers reported less than stellar quality in terms of material and damage.
In addition to the $3.49 subscription, EarFleek has introduced a premium subscription that costs $9.93 per month and gives you higher quality products. If you want to receive earrings that you know will last, go for the more expensive option. But if you are more interested in quantity and getting new earrings to try out, the standard subscription will suffice.
Curated by therapists • Includes happiness activity • Full-size products
No customization
TherBox provides a good mix of wellness products to help with self-care.

8. TheraBox

TheraBox promotes self-care through happiness activities and wellness products.
  • Monthly: $34.99 per month
  • Three month prepay: $99.99 per three months
  • Six month prepay: $191.94 per six months
  • Annually: $371.88 per year
Self-care is arguably one of the best trends to come out of the last decade — everyone can stand to treat themselves well and take care of their health. TheraBox is a subscription service designed to help you keep up with your self-care.
The box is curated by therapists and includes items to promote happiness, relaxation, and inspiration. Each month you'll receive an activity to help you feel more joy and peace as well as six to eight full-size wellness items to help you relax, reduce stress, and provide self-care.
Your box might include items like face masks, body scrubs, candles, tea, and a whole lot more. Plus, TheraBox only selects organic, natural, artisanal, and holistic products. Themes and products change for each box, and the box is delivered toward the end of the month so that you can start off the following month with a fresh batch of self-care.
There are tons of self-care subscription services, but what sets TheraBox apart is that it's therapist-approved and includes activities to promote active self-care. Each box is valued at more than $100, but you pay $34.99 if you subscribe monthly (less per box if you select a prepaid plan).
Exclusive coffee not available for mainstream purchase • Educational materials about each country
Might get a flavor you don't love
This is a fun service if you like to try new coffee flavors.

9. Atlas Coffee Club

Atlas Coffee Club delivers exclusive coffee from a different country each month.
  • Half bag: $9
  • Single bag: $14
  • Double bag: $28
If you dream of traveling the world, but can't quite afford it, this subscription box is the next best thing. OK, that's a bit of a stretch, but we can pretend. Atlas Coffee Club is a monthly subscription that delivers exotic coffees from around the world to your doorstep.
Each month is themed around a new location and the box includes 12 ounces of freshly-roasted coffee, flavor notes, a postcard, and brewing tips.
When signing up for Atlas Coffee Club you're able to personalize your experience. Start by selecting the amount of coffee you want to receive (standard is a single, 12-ounce bag), then choose if you want to receive it every two or four weeks, decide your roast preference, and finally select whether you want whole beans or grounds.
Along with trying new coffee, you also get to learn about new countries every month. Atlas Coffee Club turns your morning routine into an adventure of sorts. This is a great service if you're someone who likes to venture outside of the box and try new flavors — the coffees included in this subscription are not available online or in stores.
You can also feel good about paying for this service as Atlas Coffee Club sources its coffee from farms around the world and pays above average prices for the beans to help ensure ethically sustainable farming practices and high quality coffee.
New essential oils every month • Vegan and cruelty-free
Because the product range is so broad, you might get some you don't like
If you're into aromatherapy, this is a good service because you are guaranteed two essential oils in every box.

10. Bombay & Cedar

Every Bombay & Cedar box includes two essential oils and other lifestyle products.
  • Premium box: $49.95 per month
  • Mini box: $29.95 per month
If you're an avid user of vegan and cruelty-free products, you'll probably like Bombay & Cedar. It's a monthly box centered on aromatherapy, wellness, and lifestyle, and the products are vegan or cruelty-free.
The box comes in two different sizes: premium and mini. Both contain full and deluxe sample size products and always include two Bombay & Cedar brand essential oils. The premium box has eight to 10 products, while the mini comes with five to seven.
Though aromatherapy is the staple of this box, you'll find quite a range in products inside. Past boxes have included books, snacks, plants, beauty tools, and a whole lot more. Premium boxes are guaranteed to have a retail value of more than $120 every month and mini boxes have a value of more than $65.
Both boxes have different billing options: monthly, every three months, every six months, and annually.
Care guide and accessories included each month
Can't mix plans to receive different types of plants
House Plant Box allows you to add some life to your home with a new plant every month.

11. House Plant Box

House Plant Box delivers a potted plant with care instructions each month.
  • Standard plant box: $12 per month
  • Premium plant box: $30 per month
You might be the type of person who kills every plant you own or you might actually know how to take care of them. Either way, this plant subscription service can be good for you. House Plant Box sends you a new plant every month, with your choice of house plant, succulent, air plant, or pet-friendly plant.
You can choose between a standard sized box or a premium. The standard plans include one plant each month, with the exception of air plants, which come in an assortment. The premium plans include an assortment of larger plants every month. 
Regardless of plan, each box includes a detailed care guide for the plants you receive plus a surprise every month. These might be items like fertilizer or pruning shears.
If you're in that first category of people who can't keep a plant alive for more than 30 days, House Plant Box is perfect for you — you get a do-over with a new plant every month. And if you can keep plants thriving, then you get to have a beautiful collection of greenery. So, it's really a service for everyone.
Personalized • Low commitment
Still pay styling fee even if you don't keep any items
Stitch Fix offers a solution for women who want to cut the work out of clothes shopping.

12. Stitch Fix

Stitch Fix discovers your personal style and delivers clothing and accessories when you want them.
  • Styling fee: $20
Stitch Fix is a service for people who hate shopping for clothes, don't have time to, or simply like discovering new styles. To get started with Stitch Fix, you take a style quiz to set your look preferences and price range. Your assigned stylist then works to find pieces that fit your tastes.
The service is not technically a subscription because you can request a delivery on your own terms. Each Fix delivery requires a $20 styling fee, which is credited toward anything you end up keeping. You can keep as much or as little of the delivery as you want; you only pay for what you like and can send the rest back.
Every order includes a note from your stylist with expert advice on how to wear and style the selections. After each delivery you can share your feedback to help your stylist better select items you'll love.
Stitch Fix offers sizing from 0 to 24W or XS to 3X, petite, plus, and maternity. The selections include clothing, shoes, and accessories from both established and emerging brands. 
Have the option to skip or switch plan • Bootay Bag gives back to women in need
No say in the underwear's design
Bootay Bag offers a monthly delivery of stylish thongs and full-coverage underwear, with the option to skip any month you don't like.

13. Bootay Bag

Bootay Bag delivers new pairs of underwear each month, accounting for your style preference.
  • One pair: $9 per month
  • Two pairs: $13 per month
If every time you come up on laundry day you think, "Man, I need more underwear," pay attention. Bootay Bag is a subscription service that sends you new underwear every month. You can decide if you want to receive one ($9) or two ($13) pairs in either thong, full coverage, or a mix of both styles.
Though you can decide what type of underwear you get, the actual design is predetermined each month. Subscribers get the same sets of undies based on their style plan. You can follow Bootay Bag on social media to see what will be included in the month's shipment and then decide if you want to skip the month or switch your style preference
Underwear from Bootay Bag tends to be a bit more sexy than conservative, so keep that in mind if you're more of a Plain Jane when it comes to your undergarments. In addition to providing you with cute panties, Bootay Bag partners with The Undies Project to donate underwear to women in need.
The monthly delivery just includes panties, but as a Bootay Bag member, you can shop add-ons like bralettes, including some that match the month's underwear selection.
Designer brands • Cheaper than buying outright
Have to know what you're looking for
Scentbird is good for someone who likes to switch up her perfume fragrance every now and then.

14. Scentbird

Scentbird lets you try out a perfume each month without committing to buying a full bottle.
  • Monthly: $14.95 per month
Scentbird has a collection of more than 450 designer fragrances and sends you a 30-day supply of a new scent each month. To start, Scentbird has you select all the fragrances you want to try out, including brands like Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and Prada.
When selecting, you can sort the perfumes by scent type (fruity, floral, citrusy, aquatic, and woody), but other than that you pretty much have to know what you're looking for. That is the one downside if you're not familiar with perfume scents.
Once you make your selections and sign up, you can order and edit your queue to determine when you'll get each perfume you chose. If your queue is empty, Scentbird will just send you the scent of the month.
This service allows you to date perfumes before you marry them to eliminate the number of perfume bottles you buy and don't use up. The subscription is $14.95 a month, which is significantly cheaper than buying a full bottle. 
Scentbird is more than just a monthly perfume service, though. There's a whole shop in which you can purchase other products like skincare, makeup, and candles. There are even custom playlists that correlate with specific scents. 
Comes with supplies and tools • Crafts you'll actually want to make
Shipping is not included in the price
Adults & Crafts Crate delivers projects that you'll be excited to make and showcase in your home.

15. Adults & Crafts Crate

Adults & Crafts Crate sends you a curated project each month with all the tools and supplies needed to complete it.
  • Monthly: $33 per month
  • Three months prepaid: $32 per month
  • Six months prepaid: $31 per month
  • Annually: $30 per month, plus free craft kit or Amazon gift card
Crafting can be therapeutic and seeing the end result is often rewarding, but figuring out all the supplies you need and then actually going to buy them can honestly be a pain in the ass. Adults & Crafts Crate delivers everything you need for a craft directly to your door each month.
This is for people who pin cute crafts on Pinterest but never get around to doing them. Each month you receive a new curated craft that includes all the tools and supplies you need along with instructions. All you have to do is actually make the effort to do the craft.
Some past boxes have included a geometric wall clock, wooden wine crate, hot cocoa shaped candles, and wood-burned signs. They're crafts that adults will truly want to make and display in their homes. Plus, they're challenging to the point that they're stimulating, but not so challenging that you're unable to complete them.
One of the neat parts about this subscription is that you get to continually add to your craft supplies with the tools you receive in each box. Adults & Crafts Crate costs $33 a month, but if you don't want to commit to monthly subscription, you can also buy individual kits. 
Extra goodies included • Able to input style preferences
Base plan does not include shipping cost • Each month might not exactly fit your taste
mintMONGOOSE is a good way to find new pieces of jewelry without having to pay too much for them.

16. mintMONGOOSE

mintMONGOOSE delivers three to four pieces of high-quality jewelry based on your style preferences.
  • mintMONGOOSE: $12 per month
  • mintMONGOOSE Black: $22.99 per month
mintMONGOOSE adds new pieces to your jewelry box every month based on some of your preferences. When signing up you fill out a survey to determine whether you prefer silver, gold, rose gold, or a combination of the three and whether you want to receive earrings and watches.
There are two tiers of mintMONGOOSE. The base plan includes three pieces of jewelry that could be a necklace, bracelet, pair of earrings, or watch in whatever metal type you chose. This plan costs $12, but has a retail value of more than $40, and every three months you get a small gift in your package like socks or hair accessories. The upper tier, called mintMONGOOSE Black, comes with four pieces of jewelry, two accessories like beauty products or socks, and every three months you get a larger bonus gift such as a full-size purse or headphones. This plan retails at more than $55, but costs $22.99.
The standard subscription does not include shipping in the cost, so you will have to pay a few extra bucks; however, mintMONGOOSE Black does include free shipping.
The jewelry varies in style, so some months you might get more boho pieces while others you receive simple, classic items. Each delivery comes in a hand-sealed pillow box with an embossed seal of mintMONGOOSE's logo. It's very pretty packaging that shows the level of care and effort that goes into the subscription. As an added bonus, each package comes with a Werther's Original thrown in.
Full-size palette in every box • Well-known brands
No personalization
Boxycharm is one of the most comprehensive makeup subscriptions, offering full-size products from established brands.

17. Boxycharm

Boxycharm is a makeup subscription that includes a full-size palette in every box.
  • Monthly: $21 per month
  • Three months prepaid: $19.66 per month
  • Six months prepaid: $19.33 per month
  • Annually: $19.25 per month
Listen, if you're into makeup or you want to get more into makeup, you need to subscribe to Boxycharm. It's a monthly service that delivers four to five full-size beauty products valuing at more than $100. The products come from established and emerging brands and every box comes with a full-size palette.
Boxycharm has a new theme every month and the palette could be eye shadow, blush, or other face makeups. Every subscriber gets a similar box each month, with a bit of variation in products and shades. You might receive items like facial cleansers, makeup brushes, liquid lipstick, highlighter, and a lot more. As mentioned, the box retails for at least $100 each time, but you only pay $21 for the subscription.
Members also get discounts on products in the Boxycharm store, which includes brands like Mac, Ofra, Milk Makeup, and more. You'll also get access to exclusive promotions on brands' official sites. 
Boxycharm aims to foster a community for its subscribers — you're able to review products from each month and see how other members are using their box items. There's also a community on social media like Instagram and YouTube, where you can watch beauty vloggers unbox and try on their Boxycharm products. (We recommend checking out KathleenLights.)
Though Boxycharm isn't personalized like Ipsy is, the operators do take your opinions into account to incorporate products and styles that members are suggesting. Also, even though you don't get personalized items, you're bound to like most of what you get.

14 Secrets of McDonald's Employees - Mental Floss

Posted: 21 Jun 2019 09:00 AM PDT

While there's virtually no end to the number of fast food options for people seeking a quick meal, none have entered the public consciousness quite like McDonald's. Originally a barbecue shop with a limited menu when it was founded by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald in the 1940s, the Golden Arches have grown into a franchised behemoth with more than 36,000 locations worldwide.

Staffing those busy kitchens and registers are nearly 2 million McDonald's employees. To get a better idea of what many consider to be the most popular entry-level job in the nation—staff members on the floor make an average of $9 an hour—we asked several workers to share details of their experiences with errant ice cream machines, drive-through protocols, and special requests. Here's what they had to say about life behind the counter.

1. McDonald's employees can't always deliver fast food all that fast.

While McDonald's and other fast-service restaurants pride themselves on getting customers on their way, some menu items just don't lend themselves to record service times. According to Bob, an assistant store manager at a McDonald's in the Midwest, pies take an average of 10 to 12 minutes to prepare; grilled chicken, 10 minutes; and biscuits for Egg McMuffins, eight to 10 minutes. In the mood for something light, like a grilled chicken and salad? That will take a few minutes, too. Bob says salads are pre-made with lettuce but still need to have chicken and other ingredients added.

The labor-intensive nature of assembling ingredients is part of why the chain has more recently shied away from menu items with too many ingredients. "We are trained to go as fast down the line as we can, and if we have to stop to make something that has 10 ingredients, it tends to slow things down," Bob tells Mental Floss. "Corporate has realized this and has taken many of these items off in recent years, [like] McWraps, Clubhouse, more recently the Smokehouse and mushroom and Swiss and moved to items that can go a lot quicker."

2. McDonald's workers wish you'd stop asking for fries without salt.

A common "trick" for customers seeking fresh fries is to ask for them without salt. The idea is that fries that have been under a heating lamp will already be salted and that the employee in the kitchen will need to put down a new batch in the fryer. This does work, but customers can also just ask for fresh fries. It's less of a hassle and may even save employees some discomfort.

"People can ask for fresh fries and it's actually way easier to do fresh fries rather than no-salt fries," Andy, an employee who's worked at three different McDonald's locations in the Midwest, tells Mental Floss. "For those, we have to pour the fries onto a tray from the fryer so they don't come in contact with salt. It can get awkward sometimes getting everything into position, especially if you have a lot of people working in close proximity and it's busy, so I've had some scalded hands a couple of times trying to get fries out in a timely way."

3. McDonald's workers have to pay careful attention to the order of ingredients.

McDonald's is pretty specific about how their burgers and other items are supposed to be assembled, with layers—meat, cheese, sauce—arranged in a specific order. If they mess it up, customers can notice. "In some cases it has a big impact," Sam, a department manager and nine-year veteran of the restaurant in Canada, tells Mental Floss. "Like placing the cheese between the patties with a McDouble. If they don't put the cheese between the patties, the cheese won't melt."

4. There's a reason McDonald's employees ask you to park at the drive-through.

After ordering at the drive-through window, you may be slightly puzzled when a cashier asks you to pull into one of the designated parking spots. That's because employees are measured on how quickly they process cars at the drive-through. If your order is taking a long time to prepare, they'll take you out of the queue to keep the line moving. "My store has sensors in the drive-through that actually tell us exactly how long you are at each spot in the drive-through," Bob says. "We get measured based on something we call OEPE. Order end, present end. [That measures] from the second that your tires move from the speaker until your back tires pass over the sensor on the present window. My store is expected to be under two minutes." If an order will take longer than that, you'll be asked to park.

5. The McDonald's drive-through employees can hear everything going on in your car.

While the quality of the speakers at a drive-through window can vary, it's best to assume employees inside the restaurant can hear everything happening in your car even before you place an order. "The speaker is activated by the metal in the car, so as soon as you drive up, the speaker turns on in our headset," Andy says. "We can hear everything, and I do mean everything. Loud music, yelling at your kids to shut up, etc."

6. The employees at McDonald's like their regulars.

With hot coffee, plenty of tables, Wi-Fi, and newspapers, McDonald's can wind up being a popular hang-out for repeat customers. "[We have] a ton of regulars who come into my store," Bob says. "I'd say at least 75 percent of my daily customers know us all by name and we know them all, too. It makes it nice and makes the service feel a lot more personal when a customer can walk into my location, and we can look them in the eye and say, 'Hey Mark! Getting the usual today?' and we've already started making his coffee exactly how he takes it."

7. McDonald's staff get prank calls.

Unless they're trying to cater an event, customers usually don't have any reason to phone a McDonald's. When the phone rings, employees brace themselves. In addition to sometimes being asked a legitimate question like when the store closes, Sam says his store gets a lot of prank calls. "Sometimes it's people asking about directions to Wendy's," he says. "A lot of inappropriate ones. Most are pretty lame."

8. For a McDonald's worker, the ice cream machine is like automated stress.

The internet is full of stories of frustrated McDonald's customers who believe the chain's ice cream machines are always inoperable. That's not entirely true, but the machine does experience a lot of downtime. According to Bob, that's because it's always in need of maintenance. "The thing is, it is a very sensitive machine," he says. "It's not made to be making 50 cones in a row, or 10 shakes at a time. It takes time for the mix to freeze to a proper consistency. It also requires a daily heat mode, [where] the whole machine heats up to about 130 degrees or so. The heat mode typically takes about four hours to complete, so you try to schedule it during the slowest time." Stores also need to take the machine entirely apart every one to two weeks to clean it thoroughly.

Bob adds that the machine's O-rings can crack or tear, rendering the unit inoperable. Seasoned workers can tell if a unit is faulty by the consistency of the shakes or ice cream coming out, and sometimes by the noises it makes.

9. McDonald's employees don't mind if you order a grilled cheese.

Contrary to rumor, there's no "secret menu" at McDonald's. But that doesn't mean you can't sometimes snag something not listed on the board. Andy says a lot of people order a grilled cheese sandwich. "I've made many a grilled cheese before," he says. But it's not without consequences. "Sometimes it can get a bit risky doing it because the bun toaster wasn't designed to make grilled cheeses so sometimes you get some burnt buns or cheese or the cheese sticks inside and it slows down the other buns from getting out on time so that causes more burnt buns."

Another common request is for customers to ask for a McDouble dressed as a Big Mac, with added Big Mac sauce and shredded lettuce. "I think [it's] a way more practical way to eat a Big Mac since there's less bun in the way, and it's also way cheaper even if you do get charged for Mac sauce."

10. McDonald's workers recommend always checking your order.

Nothing stings worse than the revelation that an employee has forgotten part of your food order. Contrary to popular belief, it's not because the employees are being lazy or inattentive. According to Bob, it's simply due to the volume of customers a typical location has to process in a given day. "We are human," he says. "Mistakes do happen. We always feel terrible when they do but when we serve 1000-plus people a day, it's bound to happen."

Bob recommends checking your bag before leaving the restaurant and not taking it personally if there's an issue. "Be nice to us if you have a problem," he says. "It's a huge difference between coming to us and saying, 'Hey, I seem to be missing a fry from my bag,' and 'You bastards didn't give me my fries!'" If you want to check your bag at the drive-through, though, he recommends trying to pull ahead so cars behind you can move forward.

11. McDonald's employees don't recommend the grilled chicken.

If a menu item isn't all that popular, it can wind up experiencing a low rate of turnover. Of all the food at McDonald's, the most neglected might be the grilled chicken. Because it doesn't move quickly, workers find that it can turn unappetizing in a hurry. "That stuff has a supposed shelf life of 60 minutes in the heated cabinet, but it dries out so quickly that even if it's within an acceptable time frame, it looks like burnt rubber, and probably tastes like it, too," Andy says.

12. Golden Arches employees aren't crazy about Happy Meal collectors.

Happy Meals are boxed combos that come with a toy inside. Usually, it's tied into some kind of movie promotion. That means both Happy Meal collectors and fans of a given entertainment property can swarm stores looking for the product. "The biggest pain involving the Happy Meals is the people who collect them," Bob says. "I personally hate trying to dig through the toys looking for one specific one. We usually only have one to three toys on hand. It's especially a pain in the butt during big toys events such as the Avengers one we just had. There was like 26 different toys, and some customers get really mad when you don't have the one that they want."

And no, employees don't usually take home leftover toys. They've saved for future use as a substitute in case a location runs out of toys for their current promotion.

13. McDonald's employees can't mess with Monopoly.

The McDonald's Monopoly promotion has been a perennial success for the chain, with game pieces affixed to drink cups and fry containers. But if you think employees spend their spare time peeling the pieces off cups looking for prizes, think again. Following a widely-publicized scandal in 2000 that saw an employee of the company that printed the pieces intercepting them for his own gain, the chain has pretty strict rules about the promotion. "Monopoly pieces and things like them get sent back to corporate," Bob says. "We aren't allowed to touch them, open them, or redeem them as employees."

14. One McDonald's worker admits there have been sign mishaps.

Many McDonald's locations sport signs under the arches advertising specials or promotions. Some are analog, with letters that need to be mounted and replaced. Others have LED screens. Either way, there can be mistakes. "I've never seen anyone mess around with the letters," Andy says. "But I do remember one time we were serving the Angus Burgers and the 'G' fell off of the word 'Angus.' Good times."


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