Is the Federal Trade Commission investigating 'why McDonald's ice cream machines break so often?'

by Mike Mozart

The Federal Trade Commission in the United States is investigating 'why McDonald's ice cream machines break so often,' the Wall Street Journal reported. According to the newspaper, the investigation is related to the 'right to repair' being promoted by the Biden administration.

McDonald's McFlurry Machine Is Broken (Again). Now the FTC Is On It. --WSJ
https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-mcflurry-machine-is-broken-again-now-the-ftc-is-on-it-11630522266

McDonald's Ice-Cream Machines Are Reportedly Subject Of FTC Probe: NPR
https://www.npr.org/2021/09/02/1033715465/mcdonalds-ice-cream-machines-mcflurries-ftc-investigation

In McDonald's in the United States, 'McFleury' and 'Soft Twist' are said to account for 60% of sales in the sweets category, and ice cream is very popular among all products. However, in practice and try to visit the shop there often also be referred to as 'providing not due to the failure of the ice cream machine', the frequency of 'Why McDonald's ice cream machine, always or failure in that for?' That the article also It is reported. In 2020, there is even a web service that allows you to check in real time whether the ice cream machine in the store is out of order.

Introducing a web service that lets you know 'whether McDonald's ice cream machine is out of order' in real time-GIGAZINE

by Mike Mozart

This 'McDonald's ice cream machine breaks down frequently' is a well-known phenomenon, but the Federal Trade Commission, which oversees and monitors fair transactions in the United States, has confirmed the details of this phenomenon. Was reported. According to The Wall Street Journal, the largest economic newspaper in the United States that reported this information, the Federal Trade Commission has embarked on a fact-finding survey because of its 'right to repair.' The Federal Trade Commission unanimously strengthened its legal action following the order of the Byden administration in July 2021 to 'make rules to remove unreasonable restrictions on repairs by consumers and third-party vendors.' It was announced that it was passed in.

President Biden instructed to create a draft regulation prohibiting manufacturers from restricting 'right to repair' --GIGAZINE

McDonald's ice cream machines are repaired only by the manufacturer Taylor Commercial Foodservice or an authorized repairer, and basically repairs are not possible at the store. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Federal Trade Commission says McDonald's is reviewing equipment and suppliers such as ice cream machines, and franchisees do it themselves, as this situation concerns the right to repair. It is said that he is investigating the actual situation of how much maintenance is allowed.

The Federal Trade Commission declined to comment on the case, while McDonald's said in a statement, 'I don't think it's under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission.' I understand the complaints about the ice cream machine failure, I have a dedicated investigation team, and I have introduced solutions such as establishing new guidance for employees and regular maintenance checks of the ice cream machine. I answered that there is.