McDonald's crew member interview guide

How McDonald's UK hires crew members: an online application through virtual assistant Olivia, an interview that normally covers values and attitudes.

About McDonald's UK

McDonald's says it serves over 3.8 million people every single day across the UK and Ireland, from over 1,400 restaurants.¹

Its careers FAQ defines a franchised restaurant as "a restaurant operated by a local businessperson trading under the McDonald's name", and says "Currently over 88% of our restaurants in the UK & Ireland are franchised."²

City AM reported that McDonald's UK made a pre-tax profit of £120m in 2024, up from £66.3m in 2023, on turnover of £1.82bn, down from £1.83bn. The average number of monthly employees fell from 26,384 to 24,375 that year, a drop of 2,009 that McDonald's said had "been transferred to its franchises". The article said McDonald's aims for 95% of its locations to be franchises.³

How McDonald's hires crew

As McDonald's UK's careers site describes it.^{2, 4}

If you join a franchised restaurant, the franchisee is your employer: McDonald's says "franchised restaurant workers are employed by the franchises themselves". Any other differences for a franchised restaurant are noted in the job listing, so read it before you apply.²

1. Find a vacancy

   Restaurants advertise their vacancies on the careers website, so "if there aren't any listed this means they're not currently hiring."²

2. Online application10-15 min

   "It should only take between 10-15 minutes to complete the online application."² McDonald's says "Our online recruiter Olivia will capture your application and be on hand throughout your recruitment journey", and that you don't even need a CV.⁴

   • Olivia. A virtual assistant, available "24 hours a day, 7 days a week", who answers common questions, guides you through the application steps, arranges interviews and sends updates.²
   • More than one application. You can apply for as many vacancies in as many locations as you like, but "we'll only consider one of your applications at a time."²
3. InterviewValues and attitudes

   McDonald's calls the interview "an absolutely vital part of our hiring process". It says "The interview will normally involve a set of questions around values and attitudes." If you can't make any of the interview slots, "you can get back in touch with Olivia and she will help you rearrange to find a date suitable for you."²

   • Who decides. "Olivia does not make hiring decisions". McDonald's says hiring decisions "are always made by real human recruiters".²
4. Right-to-work check

   "Before we can employ you, we are required to verify your eligibility to work in the UK & Ireland." Accepted documents include a valid passport or a valid UK or Ireland visa, and visa holders may also need a college letter listing term dates. "Only original documents will be accepted."²

You can ask for reasonable adjustments during the application process. McDonald's says it receives a very high number of applications, so it can't give specific feedback on your application or interview. You can apply again, but McDonald's says to "make sure you create a new application."²

The crew member job

• The work. Crew work "with our amazing team from kitchen to restaurant floor" "to create great customer experiences".⁵
• Opening hours. These "range from location to location, but over half of our restaurants are open 24 hours a day".²
• Shifts. "We schedule most shifts to suit you", McDonald's says, while also taking account of working time legislation and business needs.² For full-time crew, "Shifts can vary week to week covering a range of dayparts", and you "should be open to flexibility".⁴
• Benefits. The benefits page lists flexible working, an Employee Assistance Programme, meals at work, employee meal discounts and "Free health insurance that covers you and your family". "If you work overnights, between the hours of midnight and 5am, you'll earn extra pay."⁶
• Pay dates. Hourly-paid staff are typically paid every 2 or 4 weeks.²
• Age. The age you can start work "will differ depending on your location", and "Work Experience opportunities are open to anyone over the age of 14."²

What McDonald's looks for

McDonald's says "we hire for qualities and potential, rather than qualifications", and "we look for people who have the right attitudes and behaviours to deliver a great customer and colleague experience."²

Its careers site lists five values: Serve, Inclusion, Integrity, Community and Our Team.¹

• Inclusion. "We open our doors to all walks of life".¹
• Integrity. "We do what's right by our people and community".¹

In the video on the crew member page, crew say "to be a great crew member you need to have the can do attitude" and "You need to be confident in yourself and be a team player".⁵ The values carry on after you're hired: the benefits page lists Employee of the month, "Recognising you for living our values through the great work you do", and Values Heroes, which rewards "those who demonstrate their commitment to them."⁶

Questions to expect

Based on what McDonald's says the interview tests: values and attitudes. The first question follows the example McDonald's gives; the rest are ours.

How to prepare

1. Read the listing closely. It notes any differences if the restaurant is franchised.²
2. Build stories around the values. McDonald's lists Serve, Inclusion, Integrity, Community and Our Team.¹ Prepare one real example for each, from work, school, sport or home.
3. Lead with a team example. McDonald's says it might ask for an example of times you've worked as part of a team.² Say what the team was trying to do, what you did and how it turned out.
4. Show attitude, not a CV. McDonald's hires for qualities and potential rather than qualifications.² If you lack work experience, talk about how you behave with people.
5. Know your availability. Over half of McDonald's restaurants are open 24 hours a day.² Be clear about the shifts you can do before the interview.
6. Have original documents ready. Only original documents are accepted for the right-to-work check.²
7. Use Olivia. If none of the interview slots work for you, Olivia can help you rearrange.²

Worth mentioning in the interview

• McDonald's says "9 out of 10 of our restaurant managers, and 1 in 5 of our franchisees, started out as crew members."²
• For the first quarter of 2026, McDonald's said comparable sales in its International Operated Markets "increased 3.9%", and "Nearly all markets reflected positive comparable sales, led by the U.K., Germany and Australia."⁷
• In its second-quarter 2026 results, McDonald's said "International Operated Markets increased 1.5%" and "Most markets reflected positive comparable sales, led by Germany, Australia and the U.K., partly offset by France."⁸

Quick answers

Sources

1. Life @ McD's - McDonald's CareersMcDonald's Careers
2. FAQs - McDonald's CareersMcDonald's Careers
3. McDonald's sheds 2,000 UK jobs as profit almost doublesCity AM · 4 Aug 2025
4. Full-time Crew Member - McDonald's CareersMcDonald's Careers
5. Crew Member - McDonald's CareersMcDonald's Careers
6. Benefits - McDonald's CareersMcDonald's Careers
7. MCDONALDS CORP - Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2026SEC
8. McDonald's Q2 2026 earnings release (Exhibit 99.1)SEC · 4 Aug 2026

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