Czech McDonald's is total crap. But with one twist.
So, when I was a poor student in Moscow, McDonald's saved me. You could eat cheap there, and pee. In general, literally heaven on Earth when it's 2 hours from university to home.
But one day I moved to Czech Republic. During the first month like everyone who arrived I was surprised by lunch prices (100 crowns) and overate.
I happened to go to McDonald's in the first month. Well, I think, now like in Moscow - lots of joy for half the price.
But hell no. In Czech McDonald's food prices are generally not lower than in normal restaurants.
I.e. for the price of a couple of burgers you can buy a normal lunch.
How does McDonald's make money in Czech Republic at all? Only children and tourists eat there.
If anyone's interested in more detail why Czech McDonald's barely withstands competition, here's my video about food prices in Czech Republic:
Another interesting thing - here at McDonald's coupons work. I.e. sometimes at the register or on the internet you can find a coupon with a "special" offer, like buy a burger with fries for the price of a burger.
Anyway, it's unclear how McDonald's survives at all with all this. But they try. Here they've put ordering machines almost everywhere, and there are almost no lines.
And recently magic happened. When ordering at the machine you can take a plastic thing with a number written on it. You pay for the order by card, wait. And in a couple of minutes the order is brought to the table. Brought(!) to McDonald's(!!!)
But what about the classic, what about the free register???
Well, and also in Czech McDonald's you can buy beer, but that doesn't sound as powerful as the fact that they bring you food.