McDonald's Employee Training Video - Countdown to Profitability! (1982)

NASA astronaut Jim Lovell explains the vast similarities between a successful space launch and serving burgers and fries in this half-hour video.
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[@Mike-pj1kv]

Same old story. You're working as a manager at a fast food place and in walks an astronaut who wants to talk shop. I can't tell you how many times it happened to me.

[@kinggill3982]

😮😮😂😂😂😂😂

[@EdFredHernandez]

same

[@Phil_Melone]

Happens all the time to me and I'm not in management where I work.

[@alftanner866]

Back when they served cold fresh tang🛸

[@bb-gc2tx]

me too they always asking for this drink called tang 🤣

[@VerityFraser]

"One time the drink machine wasn't working, so I applied the four steps and decided it had to be fixed right away." "That reminds me of something similar. Do you know the Apollo 13 mission?"

[@295g295]

four criteria - 7:30

[@295g295]

20:30 - Apolo 13

[@chelebelle2223]

The drink machine on the Apollo 13 mission started going HAYWIRE, which immediately put us in a critical dilemma.....

[@KirkNorthrop]

“A space launch can be programmed for many variations. But there is no computer complex enough to store even a fraction of the possibilities that might arise at one of our restaurants.” McDonald’s 1 - Apollo Programme 0

[@craigrobinson99]

Bill is so intense. He is the Top gun of McDonald’s managers.

[@geraldessenberg6176]

NASA can learn from this video and so do many companies in the world. Heck, even your family, including kids, learn from this. Probably your 6 months old baby can learn from it. It not only covers your business operations, but tells you how to live your life as well. What a great educational video.

[@AloeEmporium]

"Let me tell you, some days here at McDonald's can sure be difficult. Why, just last week, the ice cream machine was in defrost during the lunch rush!" "I know what you mean, that reminds me a lot of the Challenger."

[@ct1762]

4 years later...

[@GiddeonFox]

The constant comparison of real actual life and death space mission work with the operation and profitability of a Mcdonalds is making me a lot angrier than I expected, thanks.

[@GiddeonFox]

"Once on Gemini 12 we had to solve a problem that could have literally killed us." "Oh I know what you mean, once the drive-thru window transmitter broke, and a customer's drink was watered down!"

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

It's not just a one time thing either... it's basically the theme of the entire video.

[@ELTUK82]

GiddeonFox 😂😂

[@rapman5363]

It’s just a commercial, lighten up. Anybody that gets angry at a commercial should re-evaluate their life!!

[@moerelish8031]

@@rapman5363 It's a training video.

[@jasonm1288]

That's one small step for man and one giant leap for French fries

[@Cjnw]

Planting McDonaldland Flag

[@MelissaServicePack7Lucky7]

Omg!! There’s workbooks that go along with this video?!! I want one!!

[@John-Adams]

Imagine comparing making fast food to space travel.

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

According to this video, they're practically the same thing.

[@grabes1980]

I can imagine the audacity of such a comparison, but no longer have to imagine the comparison because the video at hand is such a comparison.

[@kevingrems]

Space travel vs McBurgler meal. What’s the difference?

[@googlesubscriber2324]

Coke was one helluva drug

[@DSJVNdsjnvf4356]

they are both fast businesses

[@PyroFlareGaming]

I saw the word profitability and immediately thought of that Crystal Pepsi training video. "Increased sales and profits"

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

A CTC training video post reference on another CTC training video post. Brought a tear to my eye.

[@ELTUK82]

Consumer Time Capsule 😂

[@rothbj1]

‘Mayor McCheese, we have a problem…’

[@specter_badguy9675]

Ah yes, when I think of McDonald's I think of NASA sending a rocket to the moon

[@danny-li6io]

The melodramatic analogy of space exploration and food service is actually a valid comparison to customer service in 1982 compared to that in 2021

[@beavacuda]

I'm not gonna lie. I didn't stop the tape and complete the exercise

[@IHaveADHD]

Shame on you! 😂There will be a makeup test next week. Be there.

[@smiththomas64]

I didn’t stop the tape either.

[@LDrosophila]

😂

[@Mike-pj1kv]

Astronauts and fast food guys - they sure do have a lot in common. That's why these guys really hit it off.

[@billbrasky8525]

All jokes aside, I miss the days when culture wasn’t a meme baked inside another meme.

[@zergmare7]

Woooah man.... total memeception

[@fcukugimmeausername]

Ah, yes, this is very well known. One of the first questions you'll be asked if you apply for a job at NASA is how well you've assembled a Big Mac. No Big Mac experience, no chance of NASA employment.

[@stahlseuche]

Can confirm, I was so close to becoming an astronaut but when they asked me the Big Mac question I told them I made plenty of Whoppers. They laughed in my face and threw my hopes and dreams into the trash...

[@Yandelvillegas]

..

[@chelebelle2223]

@@stahlseuche 🤣😂

[@MopTop88]

Sending a rocket to the moon and managing a fast food joint. “These are literally the same thing.”

[@DarthVader1977]

It's the method of management that is the same.

[@ChocolateMilk1978]

@@DarthVader1977the only thing McDonald’s is managing is making people fat.

[@jesselp50]

So running a McDonald's is the same as running a NASA space mission? Is that what they're trying to tell us?

[@5alamander]

NASA uses the same training video with Mcdonalds as example

[@jimhogle1348]

I cooked breakfast my senior year and wore that same uniform. ‘79

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

Very nice.

[@mcribs7811]

Now you’re just bragging. Stop bragging on here!

[@MelissaServicePack7Lucky7]

The employees at McDonald’s in 2023 need to watch this video. They could learn a lot from it.

[@p44yoyocompany]

5:31 and still the ice cream machine broke

[@darylb889]

"You know, brain surgery is a lot like running a mcdonalds Bill"

[@charlesandhisworld]

McDonalds managers should apply to NASA

[@alexiswritingvideos]

No. NASA engineers should apply to work at McDonald’s.

[@KevinGreene299]

The first thing McDonalds manger must do every moring. Make sure the ice cream machine is broken

[@ericwood3709]

My local McDonald's employees should watch this. They don't seem to appreciate how vitally important their work is.

[@REZZA2020]

Keep That Shuttle in Orbit Astronaut! Our Corporate Share Holders are relying on you.

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

Like employee training vhs tapes? Check these out: McDonald's: Doing Whatever It Takes! (1992) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/naOmqGR6mMasq6c Crystal Pepsi Product Launch (1992) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHu8pIZuZ9CbisU Mervyn's: Visual Merchandising (Christmas 1989) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIWrfXp9r6-Kh68 Pabst Blue Ribbon: Liquid Intelligence (2003) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnnNhIZ6pLSJp7c

[@josh4590]

This video is the solution to all of lifes problems

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

That's an indisputable fact.

[@chelebelle2223]

Yep, just apply your _4-Criteria_ and _Degrees of Effect_ principles, and you're good to go! 😜

[@Admiral_John]

I like to think it took multiple takes for Lovell to make it through the intro with a straight face.

[@alexiswritingvideos]

So you think he had a performance discrepancy?

[@jasonparsons88]

This training is entertaining.

[@timkeyes8870]

How big do you think the check was that McDonalds wrote to the astronaut? I mean, he doesn't give a shit about McDonald's, he did this for money.

[@OnlySeeTheMoney]

I’m now trained as a McDonald’s manager. Where do I apply

[@Thanatos9029]

At your local McDonald's. Your starting pay will be $9/hr. No negotiations.

[@steelermia]

I looked up lovell .. still alive 95 wow keep going old man

[@Cjnw]

He doesn't actually eat at McDonald's

[@JDKingStratslinger]

"Ground control to Major Tom, Would you like fries with that?"

[@mephistosprincipium]

employee: hi, can I help you please? customer: haha, no thanks, I just like to stand here

[@ilovegoodsax]

21:35 I wore that same rust-colored uniform when I worked at McDs starting my senior year of high school in 1977 until I left for Air Force basic training several weeks a graduation in 1978.

[@tommyd.7642]

Thank you were you at reese afb?

[@owdeezstrauz1268]

ahh, back when their burgers were made OF 100percent beef and not just made WITH 100percent beef

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

Such a well put comment.

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

That said, I think McDonald's is the best it's been in a very long time right now.... and the QPC is the best it's ever been.

[@GiddeonFox]

I mean they have to list all the ingredients by law and it's still all beef, it's just not particularly good beef. Cows have a lot of cheap parts.

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

Their ketchup is really good, though.

[@maudan79]

I don’t get this one, pls explain 😁

[@jannesfriedrichs1563]

"Reputation for quality food" 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@steelermia]

lol back when you had no way of researching any of that so you pretty much believed it

[@agoogleabuser1233]

It doesn't take "Rocket Science" to work at McDonald's.

[@licensedprofessional4742]

Just a dedicated team of NASA engineers to troubleshoot McDonald’s malfunctioning milkshake machines! 😂😂😂😅😅😅

[@im_an_alvani]

Delicious value and inspirational message: affirmative.

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

Something we can all salute to.

[@Yandelvillegas]

..

[@velvetpilot2008]

Thank you for uploading this. Might be my favorite training video on here.

[@doctorm3518]

Sodium

[@blanelegant]

Back when profitability wasn't almost a dirty word. The uniforms are nuts (that vest)!

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

Well, in sales training, they still use it all the time. This wasn't exactly designed to be a customer-facing videotape.

[@KzintiCV]

Too bad I don't have the workbook here to follow along.

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

I really want it. I got this from a retired McDonald's GM with a bunch of other tapes, but they were pretty much all molded beyond salvage. There were 19 audio cassettes with one radio commercial on them each, so I'll have to post those here at some point.

[@velvetpilot2008]

@@ConsumerTimeCapsule now that's something I'd love to see. It sucks those tapes were damaged though!

[@jiminyhopkins]

So glad for James Lovell and NASA's Jiminy Program!

[@chelebelle2223]

🤣!!!!

[@Snuzzled]

You know, nowadays most people would just fire that lady who works well most of the time but gets flustered during rushes. Doesn't matter if she's amazing during slower periods, if they can't use her for the work of thee people for $7 an hour, they don't want her. Everyone should have a manager like this guy who knows the strengths of his employees and actually cares about keeping the good ones, putting them on tasks where they excell and thrive.

[@MYERZ08]

Ofcourse. In your modern McDonald's your average free range manager can be found on his swivel chair in the back office goofing off on the Internet.

[@jamierabinowitz7102]

The music in this training video is very good

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

You got that right. Mickey D's has got those deep pockets.

[@cheaptricked]

Lovell has a real presence on camera; very believable.

[@LDrosophila]

This was his big break he had only been a lowly astronaut couldnt even tell you how many all-beef patties

[@colindavies3124]

This is GOLD!!!

[@Cjnw]

Golden McNuggets

[@gmaglio]

It took a bit to get here: 20:50 - I love how they play funky music during the space scenes.

[@comedyworldofficial]

That's a nice training video, However I've started working at McDonald's as a Crew Member since 2018 in the UK and I'm always get improved on French Fries and cooking chicken with different types of chicken like Nuggets and Selects. Most vats at most McDonald's stores is usually the Henny Penny open fryers.

[@DarthVader1977]

English teachers around the world are silently weeping...

[@M60gunner1971]

​@DarthVader1977 that was blistering.

[@ScottTSnell]

Lap-scalding coffee spills are not an option!

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

They were in 1982! Haha.

[@cometcom3660]

why is the ice cream machine still broken then

[@samizayed6010]

Wow The Early 1980s Was The Darkest Year's

[@Pfletch83]

With all of the drive through freakouts and fights that have been happening at fast food joints. Maybe they should look into bringing this kind of training video back. Because dealing with the public is all about problem solving skills.

[@TheAnthonyMarlowe]

Why would they? They’re part of the same groups that want global chaos for stakeholder capitalism, or communism, to be introduced.

[@b3ans4eva]

I’ve never heard of Jim Lovell until this video.

[@mcribs7811]

He was in Tommy Dorsey’s band after Sinatra left and was with The Kinks for a very short time. Now he’s here.

[@ed9492]

Make the trainees fix the bathroom.

[@Yandelvillegas]

..

[@chelebelle2223]

Then it would NEVER get fixed! LOL

[@kramerbassplayer]

New employees are a "problem" very welcoming

[@colonelkurtz2269]

How hot is the grill? Well about as hot as the Saturn 5 rocket exhaust. Fantastic! 😉

[@zergmare7]

We need Rifftrax to watch these

[@algomaone121]

Real Life: Saturn V spacecraft prepares to launch, countdown ends, Saturn V rocket launches into space. McDonald’s training video: Saturn V spacecraft prepares to launch, countdown ends, Gemini rocket launches into space...

[@BWiseTV]

Lol this is awesome! How on earth did you find this?! 😂 I was born in Dec 1983 and I can still understand and relate to this video lol

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

Got it from someone that inherited a large collection of a former McDonald's GM. Unfortunately, most of the tapes were molded beyond salvage, but I should have another one or two that I can save and post.

[@BWiseTV]

@@ConsumerTimeCapsule oh that's so cool! If the old film is untouched, you should be able to go to a local cassette tape repair shop to fix it or covert it

[@charliebinder2599]

@@ConsumerTimeCapsule this can't be from 1982, its gotta be from the 1970s,?

[@mutalix]

@@charliebinder2599 From my experience watching alot of late 70s and early 80s material and videos, it seems both periods of time seemed to be the same in terms of video quality, narration and flow. As with all things there are always exceptions and differences, but that's just my personal experience.

[@jimrockford4968]

Do you want fries with that?

[@df2studios]

haha are we in the twighlight zone here?to team Nasa and Mcdonalds is crazy haha

[@Rick5150]

"you know in the original Apollo missions"... Skips ahead 10 seconds

[@donathandorko]

Came here for Jim Lovell. Stayed here for Jim Lovell. Now I'm hungry. Time for a......pizza.

[@EdFredHernandez]

80's corporate training videos seem slightly less evil

[@nadiamuransky]

So running a McDonalds is rocket science.

[@cmmochalatte]

Ha! They keep repeating “cleanliness” staff touches food with bare hands 😂

[@robynwhite9226]

I think that the manager at my McDonald’s should watch this if they even were trained at all!

[@MrJ-dc3yz]

Houston we have a problem, Big Mac combos are $20.

[@bicklesby1]

I used grub on mcd's in 82 it was damn good after a nite of drinking and driving around hampton - the fries were fries and the burgers were effin good -

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

Quite an endorsement... "it's good for drinking and driving"

[@OrderByDesign777]

Yes, the fries were fries. Now they’re just...fries.

[@colliric]

@@OrderByDesign777 They were cooked in real Beef Tallow back in the 80s. They tasted better as a result.

[@alexiswritingvideos]

Back when fries were fries, and women were glad of it.

[@wadessirenvideos6750]

I used to work at McDonald's back in 1990 with a strict and all business manager like Bill. If only we had more people like this McDonald's manager who does his job well. On the flipside, most younger generation of today would walk out on this manager because they would get pissed off to easily. A manager today with this strict style of directing people and reminding them there are consequences for not following procedures and work rules would not go over very well. Most crew members would just say "fuck you" and walk out. Many McDonald's managers nowadays are too lenient and laid back to direct and motivate the crew members because they will just get pissed off and threaten to quit.

[@clydetheghostboy]

I’m hear because of the old Carvery video, and so are you

[@vinnyvibes]

Manager looks like a young Michael Palin lol

[@douglasladd9478]

Sir, this is a Wendy's.

[@j0hn33y]

That's astounding. 26:23

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

They're so alike!

[@jeffblack8874]

Jim Lovell of Apollo 13!

[@mcribs7811]

You put Sandy in charge and walk off with Major Tom to some small broom closet. How can we be sure those “shockwaves” in the back don’t actually travel up to the front? You want the truth?? This managers office has a participation trophy plaque, his high school diploma and some sort of clean bathroom certificate and a Pink Floyd poster on his wall. This guy clearly went to the top.

[@Cjnw]

Völlig losgelöscht…

[@incominghitdadirt9587]

McDonalds sounds more important than NASA.

[@mikes.7654]

Traveling safely through OUTER GODDAMN SPACE to the moon and making it back without injury or death is apparently no more difficult than running a damn McDonalds. This video makes me angry.

[@briandziedzic420]

from Apollo 13 to this

[@Dave_Shredder]

It's the narrator from "Surviving Edged Weapons", Ronald Rolland. Also, the picture in the office is quite disturbing...

[@licensedprofessional4742]

Apparently pulling together to maintain McDonald’s milkshake machines is considered a “C” priority 😂

[@georgiahall9064]

It's weird how when Jim talks about Gemini they show footage from Apollo. It's extremely obvious

[@mattkennedy6115]

Weird where Jim talks about food then tries to pass off McDonalds as if it were food

[@rinsatomi9527]

Wow they got Jim Lovell to do this

[@pcs9518]

Gee if only the managers these days were as committed as the ones in this video

[@mrclown6766]

Bet this guy is a real fun time at parties.

[@johnstuartsmith]

I met him once. I tend to be easily impressed by somebody just because NASA chose him to be sent on 4 space missions, and 2 separate trips to lunar orbit and back, but maybe that's just me...

[@shrimptempuraasmr3742]

Bill was confronted with 3 problems 😖

[@patrickmacdonald5392]

I wonder how much Mcdonalds paid that former astronaut to humour them in that little training video

[@WurstPeterl]

I owned 4 Mc Donald’s restaurants in the 90s until I sold them in 1998. We had some tricks to optimize our profits. The biggest factor was unpaid overtime. We also bought “new old stock“ food items and optimized the ratios at the soda fountains. Worked fine until Mc Donald’s forced me to sell for breaching the franchise contract.

[@owdeezstrauz1268]

damn fine print 🤬

[@blanelegant]

Cool insight, thank you.

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

What was the breach for? All of that?

[@WurstPeterl]

This happend in germany. Wage theft is illegal but you can get away with it when you only hire dumb people. When someone complained, we paid some money and let them sign some paper work that they can’t sue and no longer work for us. I saved as much as 15% on wages all things considered. We had to sell because they noticed we didn’t buy enough food from them for the sales we had. So they eventually found out that we bought almost expired stuff from other franchise partners.

[@WurstPeterl]

We even had some „new old stock“ hamburger patties from a Burger King across the street sometimes. Nobody ever noticed

[@Bigzeebear]

The comparison is exact

[@PIXPromosMore]

Too bad Tom Hanks already played Jim Lovell in Apollo 13...the way the real one looks here, I could easily see Bob Odenkirk in Old Guy makeup playing him

[@Cjnw]

"GIVE ME THE GODDAMNED McKITTY CAT BRACELET!"

[@joeeastwood3795]

i have gone down the youtube rabbit hole again.From now on i must think before acting.

[@conqueringlion420]

UFCP = Unique Floor Control Problem NASA: you work at McDonald’s McDonald’s manager nut: you eat our space food End of convo: We’ll we both lied to the public

[@fmphotooffice5513]

12:58 Here is the McWrench. Fix the faucet. Don't let the dishes pile up.

[@andrewlynn5637]

I am sure this manager is living in a basement in his moms house still