McDonald's employee reveals why you're not always given ketchup for free

A McDonald's employee has shed light on why you don't always receive complimentary ketchup with your meal, a subject which has left fast-food lovers bamboozled.

Though access to free sauce packets may often seem down to luck, there is, in fact, an underlying rationale. The McDonald's FAQs provide some clarity, stating: "some restaurants charge for ketchup and some don't".

This boils down to franchise owners having the liberty to establish their own pricing models, charging for extra condiments not included in the meal plan if they choose to. McDonald's website elucidates further: "The reason is that a significant proportion of our restaurants are owned by franchisees who set their own prices some charge for extra sauces if they are not part of a meal option.", reports the Express.

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Elsewhere on Q&A platform Quora, someone claiming to work at the golden arches has shared insider info on why staff might limit your sauce supply. Because over-generosity with toppings could eat into margins, reports the Daily Star.

The employee divulged: "We're not told not to give out 'too much sauce' but instead we are told that each specific purchase has a defined sauce packet given for free."

They went on to explain the sauce policy: "For example, getting a four or six-pack nugget you are allocated one free sauce packet. However, at our own discretion, we can give an extra free packet if they got a six-pack nugget."

What about those who order in larger quantities? "If you got a 10 pack nugget, you are provided two for free automatically and another for free at our discretion, if the customer asks. If you got a 20 pack, you get three, and another extra at our own discretion."

"For every 20 or so packets we save, we don't have to order another box of them. So, we have more on hand longer and less risk of running out.."

"The main reason we charged for extra packets is to prevent abuse. It's fair to assume that two packets of sauce is enough for a six-pack nugget, right? If you need more than that, then what the heck are you doing with the nuggets? ".

"So, as cost control, we charge for extra to prevent abuse. But, realistically we really don't mind giving extra if it makes you happy, just that the price of an item isn't just accounting for the ingredients and materials."

While it's standard to receive one or two complimentary sauce sachets at McDonald's in the UK, be prepared to pay up if you insist on having more.