Finding a Job at McDonald’s is Now as Simple as Asking Alexa

A World-First, McDonald’s ‘Apply Thru’ helps you easily start your job application with your voice

September 25, 2019 — McDonald’s is today announcing it will be working with a very familiar voice to help job seekers start their application for a role with the business. Alexa will be able to assist with the first step of a McDonald’s restaurant job application, helping drive talent attraction through the McDonald’s Apply Thru™ skill.

Thanks to Alexa, starting a job application is as simple as saying “Alexa, help me get a job at McDonald’s.” Job seekers can also use any device with the Google Assistant built-in, by saying, "OK Google, talk to McDonald’s Apply Thru.”

The voice experience is available on Alexa and Google Assistant in the UK and Ireland, as well as the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany Italy and Spain. After opening McDonald’s Apply Thru, all users need to start their application process is answer a few basic questions ranging from their name, job area of interest and location. Potential applicants receive a short text message shortly thereafter with a link to continue their application process.

Harriet Hounsell, Chief People Officer in the UK and Ireland: “As a business we are all about convenience and speed – partnering with Alexa is a way of bringing this to life in our hiring process, as well as have some fun! Convenience is key, so we’re looking forward to our application process simplified further with Alexa. We are a business that truly believes in opportunities for all – and we hope that this will encourage people to get in touch about roles in our restaurants – from crew to management; we look forward to seeing the response to the partnership, and learning from it.”   

“Alexa makes life easier, and we’re thrilled to see McDonald’s utilise voice to create a simpler, more convenient job application process for customers,” said Steve Rabuchin, Vice President, Alexa, “With Apply Thru, customers can start the process for a job at their nearest McDonald’s restaurant – all they need to do is ask.”

The world’s first voice-initiated application process, the McDonald’s Apply Thru is available today as part of the recently launched Made at McDonald’s hiring and reputation campaign which highlights all the opportunities a first job, part-time job, or lifelong career at McDonald’s can create. From students, to mums and dads looking for a flexible role to older workers returning to work, the campaign will focus on how jobs at McDonald’s restaurants help build skills, and provide access to education and relationships that translate to new experiences.

Today the UK business, together with franchisees, employs more than 122,000 people. Each year £43million is invested in training and development with employees able to gain nationally recognised qualifications and earn while they learn. This includes an apprenticeship programme which has created more than 18,000 apprentices including a Foundation Degree accredited by Manchester Metropolitan University. The business is also committed to progression – with nine in ten of our restaurant managers starting as crew members, and a third of our executive leadership team starting their career in restaurants.    

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS

Media enquiries:

McDonald’s press office – 020 3892 1000 / pressoffice@uk.mcd.com

About McDonald’s UK:

McDonald’s currently operates over 1,270 restaurants across the UK, serving almost 4 million customers per day, and employing more than 122,000 people.