People furious as McDonald's implements 30 minute rule in certain restaurants

People are furious as McDonald’s appears to have implemented a 30 minute rule in some of its restaurants. The fast food giant is recognised across the world for its burgers, fries, Chicken McNuggets and other items.

It has restaurantsglobally and the first one opened in the UK in Woolwich, south London in 1974. Many people have fond memories of celebrating their birthday at McDonald’s when they were children. The PlayPlace was a popular feature of the franchise, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.

McDonald’s was known as a warm, inviting place to go for a casual sit-down meal with family and friends. But customers believe this has changed, with drive-thrus becoming more regularly used.

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A user on Reddit shared their shock as they posted a photo inside a McDonald’s restaurant with a sign that states: “Please - no loitering. Time limit: 30 minutes while consuming food.”

The angry customer said: “2nd McDonald's I've been to like this in less than a week... Only 5 tables in the restaurant, no self serve drink machine, no condiments out, not even [a] napkin dispenser... What happened to McDonald's being a family friendly restaurant for kids to play at like in the 90s?”

The user didn’t specify which McDonald’s restaurant they spotted this sign at but others in the comment section shared that they have seen similar ones.

McDonald’s has confirmed that the ‘30 minute rule’ is not a UK policy so the post is likely to be referring to US locations.

Someone shared: “Surprised to see people constantly posting this sign like it's new. It was up at my local McDonald's way back in early 2010s.”

Another user replied: “That's what I was about to say, these signs have been around for a very long time.”

The sign with the ‘30 minute rule’ seems to have angered some other customers in the comment section.

One remarked: “Greed got in the way. They want the customers then don’t want to serve them.

“Keep killing refills and making dining rooms uncomfortable and you won’t have to worry about sitting down any more.

“The remodeled one by me used to be bustling, now there’s no menu board, no cashier , no refills , cash kiosks, no TV and the most uncomfortable seating ever. No one eats inside any longer.”

A second user sarcastically commented: “I respect that they don't want me inside there eating. I respect it so much that I just don't go there any more!”

A third chimed in: “Rising costs and a changed culture fueled this change. It's not just McDonald's.

“There are no more real family friendly fast food restaurants left. It's all just get your food [and] get out now.”

However, some people understood why the restaurant might have put up this sign. A user guessed: “That no loitering sign is probably just posted to allow staff to kick out people who stay there all day or something.

“I've loitered for 2 hours in a McDonalds that has that sign working on my laptop while sipping coffee and they didn't care.”

A former McDonald’s employee added: “Probably also a way to kick out teenagers who come in and buy 1 cheeseburger between 10 of them and then torment the workers. [It] was a huge issue back when I worked there.”

McDonald’s US has been approached for a comment.