If you’re not on TikTok (oh the self control), you’ve probably missed the McDonald’s training app craze. I know, you’re probably thinking, training app? Like, for employees? Well, yes, this app is clearly an effort to get employees-in-training used to working the McDonald’s cash register. That said, the people posting videos on TikTok do not work at McDonald’s and are certainly not employees-in-training. Instead, the top scoring players are teens on summer break and people looking for a serotonin release when they can’t sleep at night. I wish I had an explanation for why a training simulation would so extremely captivate TikTok viewers, but I can only imagine that the simulation’s similarity to Webkinz’s Smoothie Moves! made people nostalgic.
Thankfully, you don’t have to join TikTok to enjoy the app. The app’s main goal is to give you practice filling orders quickly, and as a motivator, after each round, you’re ranked along with others playing at the same time in your area. All you need to do is download the free app in the App Store on an iPad and choose the quick game option to play. There’s no need to register your name or anything (this is especially enticing if you are ashamed of how much you’re playing).
How to get the McDonald’s training app
On an iPad, you can access this application in the Apple App Store. If you have an Android device, but would still like to hop on the trend, follow this link to download. To be honest, despite the popularity of the game on TikTok, it was really hard to find the iPad version. To find it quickly, you need to type in McDonald’s POS Training, word for word.
What it’s like to play the McDonald’s training app
The game is essentially about entering orders as quickly as you can. On the left side of the screen, different orders will begin dropping down and you have to fill them before the order reaches the bottom. At first, I was just trying to get my bearings and was working at an absolutely glacial pace. But, I was surprised at how quickly I was able to get going and soon I was scoring around 20 points a round. Although, that’s nothing compared to most people on TikTok who never missed a single order.
Will this prepare me for a job at McDonald’s?
Although you can play this game just for fun, this app appears to be made to help future workers prepare for their job. There are two options when you open the game. You can click on register training or quick game. If you just want a short burst of goofy brain engagement, play a quick game. If you choose register training, you’re going to get a full rundown of the McDonald’s ordering software and important cash register skills.
All things considered, several current and past McDonald’s employees have weighed in on the game and most say they never played it during training. So, this might just be a unique McDonald’s marketing ploy. Either way, it’s pretty freaking fun, and if I stop responding to my texts, this is the cause.