Biden’s New Bold War on McDonald's Soft-Serve Ice Cream Machines
Written by: Marianne Partisan
The Biden administration's latest fools errand may leave many Americans scratching their heads in disbelief.
While the southern border crisis, skyrocketing national debt, and international conflicts dominate the headlines, President Joe Biden has chosen to focus on a trivial issue – broken McDonald's soft-serve ice cream machines.
Regular visitors to McDonald’s may have experienced the frustration of encountering out-of-service soft-serve machines, leaving customers screaming for ice cream – forcing them to take their McNuggets and head elsewhere for ice cream.
According to McDonalds, to reason for these frequent malfunctions lies in the fact that only one company of technicians is authorized by the machine's manufacturer to perform repairs.
This means that McDonald's franchises in need of machine maintenance must endure lengthy waiting periods, unable to simply call upon a local engineer to fix the problem, according to Fox Business. However, the Biden administration, seemingly determined to tackle at least one critical issue during its tenure, has now set its sights on making these soft-serve ice cream machines more easily repairable.
In a letter to the U.S. Copyright Office, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Department of Justice's (DOJ) antitrust division, the administration advocated for exemptions under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
The aim is to promote competition in the markets for replacement parts, repair, and maintenance services, as well as facilitate competition in markets for repairable products.
The apparent “hungry-for-busy-work” Biden administration points out that the breakdown of soft-serve equipment can result in a loss of sales amounting to $625 per day. Furthermore, the wait times for authorized repairs are extensive, and licensed repair technicians charge over $300 for just 15 minutes of work, according to the Daily Mail. The current restrictions prevent franchise owners from seeking the services of independent engineers, and the agencies argue that increased competition in the replacement parts and repair services markets is necessary.
While President Biden may champion this cause, dubbing it a critical national issue, it is important to question its significance in the grand scheme of things.
The FTC's deep investigation into the frequent breakdowns of McDonald's ice cream machines came about due to consumer complaints and concerns raised by franchisees, according to MSN. In fact, McDonald's faced a $900 million lawsuit in 2022 from an ice cream repair company after banning franchise owners from utilizing a product that would enable easy fixes for the machines.
This device, utilizing Wi-Fi technology, allowed for troubleshooting of digital issues without solely relying on repairs by Taylor, the exclusive manufacturer of McDonald's ice cream machines. McDonald's defended its position by citing warranty violations and safety concerns.
While it is reasonable to address consumer grievances and promote competition in various markets, one must question the allocation of resources and priorities. With pressing national issues demanding attention, including the crisis at the southern border, the staggering national debt, and complex international conflicts, it is hard to understand why President Biden has chosen to focus on the repairability of ice cream machines.
READ MORE:
SAY HELLO TO THE $18 BIG MAC COMBO MEAL, AS FAST FOOD PRICES SOAR
A BURGER IN COLORADO NOW COSTS $15, UP 31% DUE TO THE RISING COST
DENVER’S MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES TO $18.29 FROM $17.29 ON JANUARY 1ST
Critics argue that this micromanagement of fast food operations is a waste of time, energy, and taxpayer dollars. It raises concerns about the administration's ability to prioritize and tackle the most pressing challenges facing the nation. As the nation's debt soars and the southern border remains in crisis, one can't help but wonder if this bold new war on broken McDonald's ice cream machines is a misguided endeavor driven by the President's personal love for ice cream.
As the saying might go, "You can't have your McFlurry and eat it too."
Are you enjoying THE LOBBY? Our stories are only possible because of generous contributions from our readers. Please consider chipping in today. Thank you!