Latest news with #McDonald'sAustralia
Sydney Morning Herald
10-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Personal information of McDonald's job applicants exposed online due to a security vulnerability in an AI chatbot
Thousands of Australian prospective McDonald's workers have had their personal information exposed online due to a security vulnerability in an AI chatbot used by the fast-food giant. The chatbot, 'Olivia', handles job applications for McDonald's franchisees globally, including in Australia, screening candidates and asking for information including their resumes and contact information, then conducting a personality test. McDonald's Australia hires more than 11,000 workers every year and is one of the nation's largest employers, with more than 100,000 employees across its restaurants and management offices. Credit: Eamon Gallagher Olivia, built by US-based software firm Paradox, suffered from poor security, however, with researchers last week able to access the chatbot's 64 million chat records using the username and password, '123456'. The security researchers, Ian Carroll and Sam Curry, verified that the chat records were legitimate and included applicants' names, email addresses and phone numbers. Their research was first reported by US tech news publication Wired . When The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald applied for a job at McDonald's, Olivia sought a 60-second video, asking why we wanted to work at McDonald's, as well as our email address and phone information. Olivia also asks candidates whether several personal traits are 'me' or 'not me', including 'open to feedback', 'traditional', 'calm in the storm', and 'do it yourself'. A screenshot of the McDonald's Australia chatbot Olivia. Credit: Nine 'I just thought it was pretty uniquely dystopian compared to a normal hiring process, right? And that's what made me want to look into it more,' security researcher Ian Carroll told Wired . 'So I started applying for a job, and then after 30 minutes, we had full access to virtually every application that's ever been made to McDonald's going back years.' McDonald's Australia hires more than 11,000 workers every year and is one of the nation's largest employers, with more than 100,000 employees across its restaurants and management offices. According to McDonald's, more than 5 per cent of the Australian population has at some point worked for the golden arches.
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Maccas drops update to Happy Meals
Everyone knows the best part of a Happy Meal is the toy. McDonald's is giving the classic childhood staple a modern twist, teaming up with Crocs to launch a limited-edition Happy Meal across Australia from July 10. From 10.30am, Aussies will be able to get their hands on the new Crocs Happy Meal, featuring collectable mini Crocs in a range of colourful designs. The promotion includes eight miniature Crocs key chains, each packaged in its own McDonald's-branded mini shoebox. McDonald's has partnered with Crocs to step up their beloved Happy Meal toys. Supplied. Credit: Supplied Each toy also comes with a sticker sheet styled like Crocs' Jibbitz charms, designed to let enthusiasts customise their tiny shoes with icons and characters. The collaboration follows a similar campaign in the United States, which proved popular with fans and collectors. McDonald's Australia expects similarly strong demand locally. 'After a huge response to the Crocs Happy Meal in the US, we knew we had to bring the fun Down Under,' Marketing Director of Menu and Brand for McDonald's Australia Amanda Nakad said. 'Crocs are all about comfort and self-expression, 'With eight bold designs, mini shoeboxes, and Jibbitz sticker sheets, this collab is the perfect mix of individuality and fun we know Aussie families will love, 'Get set to collect! The Happy Meal you've been waiting for is here.' The Crocs Happy Meal will be available from 10:30am to midnight for a limited time only in participating restaurants across Australia. Customers can order via the front counter, drive-through, kiosks, or through the MyMacca's app. As usual, the Happy Meal comes with a choice of a hamburger, cheeseburger, Chicken McNuggets or grilled chicken snack wrap, along with apple slices and a small drink.
Miami Herald
07-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
McDonald's is going all in on this country with 50 new stores
In the 85 years that passed since Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first McDonald's (MCD) restaurant out of San Bernardino, Calif., in 1940, what started out as a small drive-thru stop evolved into a global empire and the world's most iconic burger restaurant. As of 2024, the chain had over 41,000 locations in more than 119 countries. Rare nations without a McDonald's include Iceland, Bermuda, Bolivia, Iran, Cambodia, and, after the chain pulled out of the country over its invasion of Ukraine, Russia. While the United States and Canada are the countries with the largest numbers of McDonald's with a respective 13,548 and 1,489 locations, the non-North American nation to come closest is Australia. As of May 2025, the country had 1,053 locations. Don't miss the move: SIGN UP for TheStreet'sFREE Daily news In an interview with local news outlets, McDonald's Australia CEO Joe Chiczewski said the chain plans to open between 30 and 50 new locations across the country by the end of 2026. "We're going to open more restaurants over the next 12 months," Chiczewski told adding that the goal is to find "restaurant gaps" in different parts of the country. "That is a key priority for our growth strategy. Not just the next 12 months, but over the next few years." Related: McDonald's brings back unexpected breakfast items after 5 years Chiczewski added that the chain is setting its sights on Perth in the western part of the country and framed it as "continuing to invest in the Aussie community." At the start of July, McDonald's Australia announced that it will lock in the prices of certain meal deals and items on its Loose Change Menu at a respective $7 ($4.55 USD) and $4 ($2.60 USD), as many customers expressed concerns with the rising cost of living. In announcing the upcoming openings, Chiczewski also said the higher demand is fueled by customers choosing to forgo traditional restaurants due to expense. "My commitment to Australian customers is clear: 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, you can count on us for great value at Macca's," he said further. Image source: Landini Associates Over in Hong Kong, McDonald's recently renovated the iconic location at the country's busiest Admiralty Station train interchange station to celebrate 50 years of operating in the Chinese administrative region. More Food News: McDonald's brings back unexpected breakfast items after 5 yearsTaco Bell announces new menu items to battle McDonald'sIconic fast-food burger chain announces late-night hours expansion The renovation also served as the launch of the new "Mood Engine" concept that will eventually be expanded to more locations across Hong Kong - a 72-foot screen that features different lights and well-known McDonald's characters like Ronald McDonald and the McBurglar to welcome guests and shift the tone as the time passes from day to night. "As customers rise from the station below, they're welcomed by a reflective double-canopy entrance - a contemporary homage to McDonald's original roofline and a nod to Ray Kroc's classic design," the chain said in announcing the new concept. "Now framed by glowing feature walls in McDonald's signature yellow, aimed at creating an unmissable beacon - just like the earliest restaurants once were." Related: Veteran fund manager issues dire S&P 500 warning for 2025 The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Economic Times
06-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
McDonald's to open 30-50 new stores across Australia in 2025 to fill restaurant gaps as fast food market shows promising growth
AP McDonald's Australia CEO Joe Chiczewski has said that the company is set to open up to 50 new stores at new locations across the country in 2026. McDonald's Australia CEO Joe Chiczewski has said that the company is set to open up to 50 new stores at new locations across the country in 2026. He said that the decision has been taken with the main focus to address 'restaurant gaps' across Australia.'We're going to open more restaurants over the next 12 months,' Chiczewski told 'That is a key priority for our growth strategy. Not just the next 12 months, but over the next few years,' he decision of McDonald's, one of the world's biggest fast food chains, comes at a time when many experts believe that the Australian fast food market is set to witness continued growth in 2025 with the success of several established brands and the rise of exciting newcomers, according to Chiczewski further signalled that Perth may see a large number of new restaurants. 'I would expect over the next 12 months that we would open somewhere between 30 and 50 restaurants,' he said. 'We're absolutely committed to continuing to invest in the Aussie community.' According to Sky News Australia, there are currently 1,050 McDonald's stores across the country. This comes as McDonald's announced on Thursday, July 3, 2025, that the franchise would lock the prices of select popular menu items to help Australians struggling with the cost of living. Chiczewski stated that items such as the McSmart meal would remain $7, and Loose Change Menu items would remain $4. 'My commitment to Australian customers is clear: 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, you can count on us for great value at Macca's,' he said, Sky News Australia reported.'We're kicking off a year of value with a 12-month price promise on our McSmart Meal and Loose Change Menu. Since launching the McSmart meal, we're selling 600,000 McSmart meals a week,' he further stated. The announcement comes after the Fair Work Commission's ruling that McDonald's workers in South Australia are now able to negotiate better pay with their union and the to the IMARC Group, known for sector-specific research and consulting solutions, the Australian fast food market size reached USD 18.0 billion in 2024. The Group has projected that the market will reach USD 26.0 billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.12% during 2025-2033.
Sky News AU
03-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Australia set for fast food boost at McDonalds CEO announces '30 to 50' new stores nationwide
McDonald's Australia boss has revealed up to 50 new stores will open across the country in the next year. CEO Joe Chiczewski made the announcement on Thursday morning, and said the main focus of the new locations will be to address 'restaurant gaps' across Australia. 'We're going to open more restaurants over the next 12 months,' he said. 'That is a key priority for our growth strategy. Not just the next 12 months, but over the next few years.' Mr Chiczewski hinted Perth may see a large number of new restaurants. 'I would expect over the next 12 months that we would open somewhere between 30 and 50 restaurants,' he said. 'We're absolutely committed to continuing to invest in the Aussie community.' There are currently 1,050 McDonald's stores across Australia. It comes as McDonald's announced on Thursday the franchise would lock the prices of select popular menu items, in an effort to help Australians struggling with the cost of living. Mr Chiczewski said items such as the McSmart meal would remain $7, and Loose Change Menu items would remain $4. 'My commitment to Australian customers is clear, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, you can count on us for great value at Macca's,' he said. 'We're kicking off a year of value with a 12-month price promise on our McSmart Meal and Loose Change Menu. 'Since launching the McSmart meal, we're selling 600,000 McSmart meals a week.' Mr Chiczewski previously held the role of McDonald's Australia's chief restaurant officer. The announcement follows the Fair Work Commission's ruling this week that McDonald's workers in South Australia are now able to negotiate better pay with their union and the franchise.
