McDonald's fans are using clever 'kiosk trick' to get free food

Tactical McDonald’s customers believe they’ve uncovered a clever way to outsmart the system, and it’s quickly spreading across social media.

It began with a popular video on TikTok that has since ignited a wave of discussion on Reddit, where users are sharing details of an in-store ordering method that allows them to redeem multiple deals and free items without the usual delay imposed by the McDonald’s app.

At first glance, it appears to be a simple shortcut, but it has rapidly become a widely discussed topic among regular diners.

The so-called ‘kiosk trick’ revolves around the self-order screens found in restaurants. Normally, the McDonald’s app enforces a strict 15-minute cooldown between using deals or rewards, frustratingly preventing customers from stacking offers in a single visit.

Customers say the kiosk trick lets them redeem multiple McDonald’s deals instantly (hapabapa/Getty Images)

However, those using the trick claim that by linking their app to a kiosk, they can bypass that restriction altogether.

As one Reddit user explained: “Go inside, don’t add the rewards in your app, just put in your code on the self-order kiosk and you’re able to choose the rewards from there without having to wait the 15 mins.”

Another added: “Scan the QR code at the kiosk. The free rewards are under deals. It took me a minute to find them, as I don’t go to McDonald's usually. You’ll need to check out after each free item you redeem, then get a new QR code.”

The process works because each time a customer generates a new code through the ‘Earn Points’ section of the app, the kiosk treats it as a fresh session. By refreshing the app after each transaction and creating a new code, users can start another order immediately, without waiting.

One customer said they managed to get ‘my entire lunch free’ using the approach, while another shared: “I got my lunch for $1.91 – had a promo for any size fry free with purchase of any size drink (so of course I got a large fry and large coke) and I used a free double cheeseburger and a free spicy snack wrap on the kiosk.”

(Julia Dorian/Getty Images)

The method has gained particular traction during the current McDonald’s Monopoly promotion, where players can win multiple free fast food items. Normally, redemptions are restricted to one every 15 minutes via the app, or one per visit within two hours under the sweepstake’s official terms. The kiosk trick, however, appears to sidestep both limits, allowing continuous redemptions in a single visit.

Reactions from apparent staff have been mixed. One user, who’s implying that they’re a McDonald’s employee, commented: “We just make what’s on the screen. The bags ain’t coming out of my paycheck.”

Another, saying they’ve been a ‘manager for four years’, noted it can create extra work when orders are split into several transactions, describing it as 'a hassle to rebag them at the counter'.

FOODbible has reached out to McDonald’s for comment.