FOOD NEWS
Your 'Fresh To Order' Burger From McDonald's Likely Isn't That Fresh
By Stacie Adams
Although McDonald's Quarter Pounders are made from fresh beef patties, Mike Haracz, former corporate chef at McDonald's, claims the chances of getting a fresh burger are slim.
That's because approximately 93% of McDonald's locations are run by franchisees, who may go against the directives from corporate in the interest of efficiency and profits.
In 2018, the chain swapped the frozen Quarter Pounder patties for fresh ones, resulting in a major financial boost. Other sandwiches still use frozen ground beef.
McDonald's states that fresh patties are "available at most restaurants in the contiguous U.S.," meaning customers have no guarantee of fresh patties at their location.
Since cooking a fresh burger patty requires a different approach, some franchisees choose to sidestep the process and create Quarter Pounders with frozen patties instead.
Haracz believes that franchisees should follow the processes developed by management, including using fresh patties since they're "tested and approved" and completely "food safe."