The McFlurry has always been a source of heartbreak. Long considered one of the best fast-food ice creams, lovers of McDonald’s soft-serve know well the sting and rejection of finding out the machine is out of order when they want one. But why do McFlurry machines always seem to be McBroken? Several reasons have been floated, but the mystery may never be totally solved. Luckily for McFlurry fans, help is finally here, in the form an app called McBroken.
What Is the McBroken App?
McBroken lets you know, in real-time, whether the McFlurry machine at the McDonald’s near you is working or is out of order. McBroken was created by software engineer Rashiq Zahid. In the summer of 2020, Zahid tried to order a McSundae through McDonald’s mobile app, but couldn’t add the item to his cart because it was unavailable. He had an epiphany. “I reverse-engineered McDonald’s internal API and I’m currently placing an order worth $18,752 every minute at every McDonald’s in the United States to figure out which locations have a broken ice cream machine,” he said in a tweet.
Now, on a map, McBroken.com displays every McDonald’s in the United States as either a green or red dot, depending on whether the McFlurry machine is working. The app also shows updates with the overall percentage of broken machines, as well as a breakdown by major cities. As we post this, more than 13% of machines are broken nationwide. In New York, a whopping 40% of machines are out of order.
Why Is the McFlurry Machine Always Broken?
There are a number of reasons, but they don’t all add up. According to a 2017 article in the Wall Street Journal, the reason most given is that the McDonald’s ice cream machines take nearly four hours to clean and sanitize, and this process must be done every day. McDonald’s employees usually tell you the same thing. So when the machine is being cleaned during opening hours, ice cream cannot be served. Likewise, during busy times at the restaurant, the staff has no time to do the cleaning.
A more controversial reason is that only technicians from the company that produces McFlurry machines, Taylor, are allowed to service them. As Wired explained in a 2021 report, the set-up is “nothing short of a milkshake shakedown: Sell franchisees a complicated and fragile machine. Prevent them from figuring out why it constantly breaks. Take a cut of the distributors’ profit from the repairs.”
At one point in 2017, the problem became such a headache that McDonald’s announced that they were going to replace its current ice cream machines with ones that are easier to maintain. That change never seemed to take place. When another company, called Kytch, tried to create a machine workaround for McDonald’s, they became embroiled in a lawsuit, according to Wired.
So, for now, the mystery of why McFlurry machines continue being of order may be unsolved. But with the McBroken app, at least you’ll know ahead of time!
McDonald's Copycat Recipes to Try
Inspired By: McDonald's Cheeseburger
A favorite on
McDonald's dollar menu, these copycat burgers are a blend of ground beef and breadcrumbs. You can cook them on the stovetop on a grill pan or a standard skillet. I like to top these burgers with cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, ketchup and mustard. —Mike Goldman, Arden Hills, Minnesota
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Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
We cracked the code on one of McDonald's best-kept secrets; the Big Mac sauce! Perfect for topping on burgers, or dipping your fries and nuggets in, this McDonald's copycat recipe is one you'll want to keep on hand. —
Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Inspired By: Chicken McNuggetsI like to make these golden chicken nuggets because they’re so quick and easy. My whole family loves them. The seasoning can also be used on chicken breast halves to make amazing sandwiches. —Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia
Inspired By: McDonald's French FriesIt's a
fact that McDonald's fries are one of their best-selling items, so we've created an even tastier way to eat their fries! The addition of Parmesan and garlic is optional, but they make this side dish simply irresistible. —
Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired By: Egg McMuffinOn a busy morning, this McDonald's copycat recipe save the day. A hearty combo of eggs, Canadian bacon and cheese will keep you fueled through lunchtime and beyond. —Christine Rukavena,
Taste of Home Senior Editor
NANCY MOCK FOR TASTE OF HOME
When this colorful dessert appears on the McDonald’s menu, you know St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. Make your own all year round with this McDonald's copycat recipe. —Nancy Mock, Colchester, Vermont
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Inspired By: Quarter Pounder with CheeseThis McDonald's copycat recipe is a terrific taste of summer served with tall glasses of lemonade or cola. —Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia
Inspired By: Bacon, Egg & Cheese BiscuitI turned classic breakfast sandwiches into something heartier that you could even enjoy for dinner. We pile toppings like salsa and avocado—mayo and ketchup, too—on the homemade biscuits. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Inspired By: Honey Mustard SauceThis fast, easy mustard with rice vinegar and honey has more flavor than any other honey mustard dressing I've ever tried. —Sharon Rehm, New Blaine, Arkansas
Inspire By: McChickenAfter trying all the major fast-food chains' chicken sandwiches, I decided to come up with my own McDonald's copycat recipe. I know everyone says theirs is better than the original, but mine really is. —Ralph Jones, San Diego, California
Inspired By: McCafe Strawberry ShakeCool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! Nothing can beat this McDonald’s copycat strawberry shake recipe. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana.
Inspired By: HotcakesI found this fluffy and easy pancake recipe among our old family favorites and adapted it to make a small amount. It's quick and easy to prepare, but we still consider it a special treat. —Eugene Presley, Council, Virginia
Inspired By: Chicken SelectsI recently made this recipe of Mom's for my in-laws and they told me it was the "best fried chicken ever." Slicing the chicken breasts into strips cuts down on cooking time and ensures every piece is crunchy and evenly coated. Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. —Genny Monchamp, Redding, California
Inspired By: Tangy Barbecue SauceI've never cared that much for store bought barbecue sauce. I just like to make things myself from scratch including this spicy, deep red-brown sauce. You'll find it clings well when you slather it on grilled meat. —Helena Georgette Mann, Sacramento, California
Inspired By: Cinnamon MeltsA slow cooker turns day-old cinnamon rolls into a comforting, old-fashioned dessert. It tastes wonderful topped with lemon or vanilla sauce or whipped cream. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Inspired By: McRibPerfect for a weekday dinner or cozy weekend meal, this McDonald's copycat recipe makes fall-off-the-bone tender meat with delicious flavor. —Margaret Luchsinger, Jupiter, Florida
Inspired By: Fruit & Maple OatmealI tasted muesli on a trip to Switzerland, and when I came home, I made it my way. Keep things interesting (and avoid midmorning munchies) by adding different fruits and nuts every day. —Maddie Kirk, Springfield, Pennsylvania
Inspired By: Filet-O-FishThe seasoned breading of this hearty sandwich turns mild-flavored cod or halibut into a taste sensation, and the creamy sauce just keeps it going! —Mildred Caruso, Brighton, Tennessee
Inspired By: Tartar SauceYou'll never buy the jarred stuff again once you've tried this homemade tartar sauce recipe! —Michelle Stromko, Darlington, Maryland
Inspired By: Spicy Chicken McNuggetsWe devour these spicy chicken nuggets at least once a week. If you want to tone down the heat, skip the chipotle pepper. —Cheryl Cook, Palmyra, Virginia
Inspired By: Sausage BurritoThis is a great kid-friendly recipe that takes only 20 minutes to prepare and cook. —Sharon Haswell, Cheshire, Massachusetts
Inspired By: Sweet BBQ Bacon BurgerEvery family has a burger of choice, and this McDonald's copycat recipe is ours. It's stacked tall with bacon and crunchy onion rings. —Paula Homer, Nampa, Idaho
Inspired By: Fruit 'N Yogurt ParfaitThe best time for this dessert is midsummer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten the patriotic colors. —Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts
Inspired By: Fish McBitesMy husband and I love fried fish, but we're both trying to cut back on dietary fat. I came up with this oven-baked version. He likes it as much as deep-fried fish, so I know it's a winner. —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Enjoy the flavors of Christmas all-year-round with this McDonald's Eggnog Shake recipe. Simply add eggnog, vanilla ice cream, rum extract and nutmeg to a blender and blend it all together for that perfect milkshake. Don't forget the cherry on top! —
Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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