June 29th, 2024

McDonald's ice cream machines are always broken and now the feds are involved

Federal regulators are pushing for right-to-repair laws to address McDonald's broken ice cream machines, supplied by Taylor. Current restrictions lead to high costs, delays, and financial losses. Regulators aim to enhance repair accessibility and competition.

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McDonald's ice cream machines are always broken and now the feds are involved

Federal regulators are addressing the issue of McDonald's broken ice cream machines by advocating for an expansion of right-to-repair laws. The regulators are seeking exemptions for commercial soft-serve machines to make repairs easier and more accessible. Currently, only technicians authorized by the manufacturer can service the machines, leading to high costs and long wait times for repairs. McDonald's ice cream machines, supplied by Taylor, display confusing error messages when malfunctioning, hindering third-party repair efforts. The broken machines not only inconvenience customers but also result in significant financial losses for McDonald's locations. Regulators are highlighting this as a right-to-repair problem, emphasizing the impact of copyright laws that restrict repair options. By addressing these issues, regulators aim to promote competition in repair services and improve market accessibility for small businesses and consumers.

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Link Icon 3 comments
By @Molitor5901 - 4 months
I hope Kytch wins big with their lawsuit. McDonalds, and really its quasi subsidiary Taylor, have abused franchise owners and acted unfairly.
By @simonblack - 4 months
Unintended consequences of things like the DMCA Act. No wonder the country is going downhill at a great rate of knots.