Productivity Improvement on McDonald’s Chain

Matthew Chua
4 min readJul 24, 2023

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Conducting Productivity Analysis and Recommendation for Improving McDonald’s Fast-Food Restaurant in Singapore.

In this post, we seek to assess the productivity issues of McDonald’s Suntec City Outlet, one of the most renowned fast-food restaurants in Singapore. Utilizing productivity analysis techniques and tools, it will identify areas of improvement and provide advice on how to improve productivity and customer satisfaction at an individual McDonald’s outlet in Singapore.

Founded in 1940, McDonald’s is one of the most recognizable fast-food chains in the world, with its menu items such as the Big Mac, Filet-o-Fish, and other signature items. It was initially a barbecue restaurant, and was later acquired by Ray Kroc in 1955, who was responsible for transforming the company into a franchised entity. McDonald’s is renowned for its speedee service system, which was introduced in 1948 and has since become a symbol of efficiency in the fast-food industry. The company prides itself on being consistent, affordable, and convenient, and is committed to being involved in the local community and promoting sustainability.

Productivity Analysis

Bottlenecks in the Fast-Food Restaurant

McDonald’s can have problems with things like taking orders, processing orders, collecting payments, delivering food, getting ingredients, seating, and even cleaning and washing. According to a study on productivity and improvements at McDonald’s, it’s important to look at the production process to figure out what’s holding them back and how to make things more efficient.

Waste Identification

Utilizing the 7 Waste and 5S productivity tools, the following types of waste can be identified at McDonald’s:

  1. Waiting time: Customers waiting for orders due to inefficient processes.
  2. Overproduction: Excess food production leading to waste and increased costs.
  3. Defects: Inaccurate orders or quality issues with the food.
  4. Transportation: Unnecessary movement of employees or ingredients within the restaurant.
  5. Inventory: Holding excessive inventory that can lead to spoilage or waste.
  6. Motion: Employees moving inefficiently within the workspace.
  7. Extra processing: Repetitive or unnecessary steps in food preparation or order processing.

Performance and ESG Reporting

McDonald’s Corporate website offers performance and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, which outlines the company’s progress towards publicly disclosed ESG objectives across its priority areas. The company is committed to achieving maximum productivity in all aspects of its operations, with a particular emphasis on learning and development in order to improve efficiency, quality, and overall business performance. Comparing McDonald’s efficiency ratios with those of the restaurant industry, the services sector, and Standard & Po, the website displays the company’s Sales and Income Per Employee, Receivables, Inventory, and Asset Turnover Ratio.

Solution Recommendations

The following recommendations are proposed for improving productivity and customer satisfaction at McDonald’s:

  1. Process optimization: Make it easier to take orders, process orders, and collect payments. That way, you won’t have to wait as long and you’ll be more productive. Automation, tech integration, and a better workforce are all ways to make this happen.
  2. Menu customization: Provide a range of menu options that are tailored to the individual preferences and dietary needs of the customer, thus minimizing the need for alterations and minimizing the risk of errors in orders.
  3. Train and empower employees: Invest in in-depth training programs to develop employee competencies, foster better communication, and equip them with the skills they need to perform various duties effectively.
  4. Continuous improvement culture: Create a culture of continual improvement. Encourage your staff to recognize and talk about any issues they’re facing, like waste, and what they can do to make things better. Set up regular performance reviews and feedback loops to help you stay on track.
  5. Cleanliness and hygiene: Cleanliness and hygiene should be a top priority throughout the restaurant, providing a pleasant experience for customers. Regular inspections and strict hygiene guidelines should be implemented.
  6. Technology adoption: Take advantage of technology solutions like self-ordering kiosks, pre-ordering mobile apps and online delivery platforms to increase order accuracy, reduce wait times and improve customer experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, the solutions outlined in this report will help McDonald’s increase efficiency and improve customer experience. By streamlining processes, personalizing menus, educating and empowering employees, creating a culture of continual improvement, focusing on hygiene and hygiene, embracing technology solutions and working together, McDonald’s can improve its operations and better serve its diverse customer base.

References:

  1. https://panmore.com/mcdonalds-operations-management-10-decisions-areas-productivity
  2. https://www.studysmarter.us/explanations/business-studies/business-case-studies/mcdonalds-organisational-structure/
  3. https://brainmass.com/business/business-management/mcdonalds-analysis-of-the-production-process-222277
  4. https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-purpose-and-impact/impact-strategy-and-reporting/performance-reports.html
  5. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mcdonalds-announces-new-growth-strategy-301168170.html
  6. https://businessmodelanalyst.com/mcdonalds-swot-analysis/

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Matthew Chua
Matthew Chua

Written by Matthew Chua

Passionate about AI, Finance, & Tech. Delivering valuable insights one article at a time. 📚💼

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