McDonald’s new app promises personalised food deals for cheap guilty pleasures

One first-world convenience afforded by this current smartphone-fuelled tech dystopia is that getting food is easier than ever.

While it was never really that tricky to find food in Singapore, almost every major fast-food chain now either has a mobile app or at least tap into external food-delivery services to allow the hangry to get food with as little fuss as possible.

Yesterday (July 22), McDonald's brought together all of its previous mobile applications by launching its very own ubiquitous app: McDonald's App. 

Don't worry, the McDelivery app will still be around — it's just that the new platform is tailored to be the one-stop shop for all its services. Users will be able to order food, provide feedback, find restaurants by location and, uh, view nutritional information, should you ever need them.

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Knowing Singaporeans too damn well, the biggest pull for the McDonald's App is the ability to access cheap deals that can be redeemed at all self-ordering kiosks, restaurant front counters and Drive-Thru outlets. Right now, the one-time welcome deal for new users is a $1 Filet-O-Fish burger with any purchase. 

According to McDonald's, there's a wee bit of machine learning that goes inside the app too. As you utilise the app, it learns your preferences and offers you personalised deals that suit your tastes. If the app detects your love for McSpicy burgers (and the consequences that arrive the day after), you might be offered exclusive deals that are of similar ilk.

With a couple of swipes and taps on the screen, the app will get you exclusive deals on your all-time favourite items be it in Singapore or overseas. What it means is that travellers can also enjoy unique deals when they visit different countries. 

"As we celebrate our 40 years here in Singapore, the McDonald's App is our gift to our customers and our way of connecting with them on a more personalised level with delicious feel-good moments and hospitality," said Agatha Yap, Senior Director, Marketing and Menu Innovation, McDonald's Singapore.

The McDonald's App is available on both Google Play and Apple's App Store. Happy guzzling.

mabelkhoo@asiaone.com / ilyas@asiaone.com