A Michigan McDonald’s manager was reportedly scalded after a customer, enraged by a lengthy wait for an online order, threw a cup of hot coffee at her. The incident occurred after the customer allegedly berated the manager, claiming she had waited over an hour for her food and demanded a refund for two sandwiches. The manager sustained minor burns in the attack.
The Buena Vista Police Department swiftly identified the suspect following a flood of tips from the public. The incident highlights the rising tensions surrounding wait times in fast-food service, where drive-thru times at major chains averaged over six minutes in 2023, potentially contributing to customer frustration and outbursts. While incidents of violence towards fast-food workers are not new, the ease of online ordering combined with increased expectations for speed and efficiency may be exacerbating such confrontations.