Maccas delivery off to a frying start during first night of new service

SAMANTHA LANDY
AUGUST 27, 2014
HERALD SUN
THE fries were a bit cold and the delivery man got lost.
But McDonald’s home delivery got the thumbs up overall from a Melbourne fast food lover road-testing the new service for the Herald Sun on its first night.
From tonight, the fast food giant’s South Melbourne outlet will be testing customers’ appetite for McDelivery, with more locations expected to follow suit.
Customers will have to place a minimum $25 order through the Menulog website and pay a $4.95 delivery fee for the service.
Self-professed Maccas junkie Jess Ansell, who lives in South Melbourne about 2km from the restaurant, trialled the service with three friends tonight.
MORE: Melbourne McDonald’s outlet to trial home delivery
The quartet ordered two large meals — one with a Big Mac, salad and coke and the other McNuggets, fries and a coke — along with a McChicken burger, chocolate sundae, a box of cookies, a cappuccino from McCafe and a smoothie.
The verdict?
“It was all right,” Ms Ansell, 26, said.
“(The quality) was probably what you’d expect.
“The chips were a bit cold. They were just as if you’d gone through the drive-through and driven home — not freezing, but not hot, and a bit soggy.
“But the burger and nuggets were warm, and the coffee was hot. The ice-cream was in good shape.”
The sales rep said she placed the order online about 5.30pm and was given the option of having it delivered within a number of 15 minute windows.
The earliest available slot was in 45 minutes’ time.
She said the food arrived in a heat-retaining bag with several compartments “on time, if not early”, despite the delivery driver getting lost.
“He did say they were quite busy tonight,” she said.
Ms Ansell said she would use the service again if she had a big enough group over for dinner.
“I can see the value if you’ve got a family or friends over,” she said.
“It would go well with people who are time poor.
“I like that you can get McCafe stuff too — there aren’t many places you can get a coffee delivery from.”
McDeliveries will operate Sunday to Thursday from 5pm-11pm, and Friday and Saturday from 5pm-10am the next morning and cater to areas within a 2.5km radius, including South Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Albert Park, South Wharf and Docklands.
Most of the standard menu will be available.
The service has raised concerns from health campaigner, Obesity Policy Coalition executive manager Jane Martin, who was worried it would give consumers even easier access to unhealthy food.