When you read advice about your job, it is fair to ask who wrote it and what it is based on. This page explains how the guides on McDonald's Journey are made, so you can decide how much weight to give them.
Who writes the guides
I'm Abdel, a McDonald's crew member. I write every guide on this site as a crew member, not as a manager or an official voice of McDonald's.
Some guides cover roles I have not held, such as Crew Trainer, Guest Experience Leader, or Shift Manager. Those guides share what I have learned from the managers, Crew Trainers, and Guest Experience Leaders I work alongside, written as general guidance rather than as my own experience in the role.
Where the ideas come from
The guides answer the questions crew members commonly have: how to get through the first weeks, how to handle a busy shift, how to deal with a difficult guest, and how to grow into more responsibility. Readers can also suggest topics by writing to me.
I follow a few simple rules:
- No made-up stories. When a guide uses an example, it is a general one, such as "Picture a busy lunch period." I do not present invented situations as things that happened to me.
- No internal materials. I do not publish McDonald's training materials or internal documents. The guides explain general habits and ideas, not official procedures.
- No precise numbers without a good source. Where pay, timelines, or programs differ from place to place, I say so instead of giving a figure that may not apply to you.
Why the guides stay general
McDonald's restaurants operate in many markets. Procedures, job titles, pay, and programs may vary by market, franchise organization, and restaurant. That is why the guides do not name a specific country or law, and why they often remind you to check with your manager.
If something in a guide differs from what your restaurant teaches, follow your restaurant's training and your manager's direction. That is always the right choice.
How I use AI
I use AI tools to help with research, drafting, and editing. I decide what each guide covers, and I take responsibility for what is published here. If something reads wrong to you, that responsibility is mine, and I want to hear about it.
What this site is not
McDonald's Journey is an independent blog. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by McDonald's Corporation or any franchise organization. Nothing here is official McDonald's guidance, and it is not legal, financial, medical, or employment advice. You can read the full Disclaimer for more detail.
Corrections and updates
Restaurants change, and so do the ways guests order and teams work. I update guides when something is out of date or when a reader points out a mistake.
If you spot something wrong, unclear, or missing, please contact me and tell me which guide and which part. I read every message.
Where to begin
If you are new here, the Start Here page groups the guides by where you are in your journey, from applying for your first job to leading a team.