You might be paying more — or less — than expected during your next McDonald’s visit. It’s not because of a cashier mistake or even inflation, but a nationwide penny shortage.
Signs at McDonald’s across the country have been popping up explaining the chain’s new rounding policy, which encourages people who pay with cash to have correct change. It’s catching some people off guard, especially those who usually buy the same meal and are used to a specific total.
Here’s what we know about the policy and how it will affect you.
How Does the Rounding Work?
When a customer is paying in cash and doesn’t have exact change, McDonald’s locations that are short on pennies will round the total up or down by as much as two cents to the nearest nickel. That way, every total will be an increment of five, making it possible to give and make change without pennies.
For example, if you order a Big Mac and your total after tax is $6.02, McDonald’s will round your total down to $6. If your total is $6.08, McDonald’s will round up to $6.10, so you’d be out a couple more cents. This policy does not apply to customers paying with a debit or credit card.
Why Is There a Penny Shortage?
McDonald’s isn’t the only company feeling the penny pinch right now. In February, President Trump ordered the U.S. Mint to stop producing pennies; now, there’s a nationwide penny shortage. Each penny costs 3.69 cents to produce, and there are still 250 billion pennies in circulation.
“Following the discontinuation of pennies nationwide, some McDonald’s locations may not be able to provide exact change,” McDonald’s said in a statement. “This is an issue affecting all retailers across the country, and we will continue to work with the federal government to obtain guidance on this matter going forward.”
How Can I Avoid Paying More?
If you need to pay in cash at McDonald’s, it’s probably worth digging through your couch cushions or sorting through your piggy bank for pennies in order to provide them with exact change and avoid your total being rounded up.
But there are easier ways to avoid paying more during the penny shortage. Non-cash transactions are not affected, so if you pay with a credit or debit card, or electronic payment system, your total will be exactly what you owe, right down to the penny.
What Are People Saying?
McDonald’s customers are reacting on social media in predictable ways. Some are upset, while others take it in stride.
“Is this legal in the U.S.?” asked one Redditor. “Telling someone you’re not giving them full change in return?”
“Not sure how this is legal because a penny owed is still a penny owed…” commented another.
A number of Redditors point out that this has been the way it’s been done in other parts of the world for a while now. “They do this in Canada,” said one. Others chimed in that it’s been like this in Australia for decades now.
But one Redditor brought up a good point. “How am I suppose to donate my [pennies] to Ronald McDonald house?”
Do you have strong thoughts on the new policy at McDonald’s? Let us know in the comments.
More McDonald’s content:
- 11 Secrets McDonald’s Employees Want You to Know — Curious about what goes on behind the McDonald’s counters? Employees share their secrets.
- McDonald’s Lowering Prices to Win Customers Back — The cost of value meals will come down soon, so you’ll be able to get a Big Mac combo without completely emptying your wallet.
- 19 Vintage Photos of McDonald’s Birthday Parties in the ’80s — From party favors to the fabled sheet cake, here’s what birthday parties at McDonald’s used to look like at their peak in the ’80s.
