Why McDonald's won fries

Fry domination. But how?
More info and sources at bottom.
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This was a super booky one. So here’s some books with little capsule reviews. They’re all affiliate links, which means I will make a fortune from your purchases of fry-based books.
Also, have you ever heard of Burger Chef? I had not - but it was so popular! Crazy.
Behind the Arches: amzn.to/47keWyY
The top book - super well reported, at least by appearances. Nails the fry issue (to a degree of complexity I barely covered). It also gets into all the other ways McDonalds optimized stuff, from the McD bros using modified multimixers to mix shakes faster, to beef bargaining. I really should have figured out a way to fit Fred Turner into this video - he’s very much the…I dunno, Jesse to Kroc’s Walter White.
Grinding It Out: amzn.to/49fRg0F
Ray Kroc’s opus to Ray Kroc. I guess I could have interrogated more whether Kroc was telling the truth about his fry obsession, but it seemed pretty confirmed by Behind the Arches. It was a fun book. I think The Founder had to sell him short a bit for storytelling purposes, but all this research made me respect Kroc a lot more.
The Burger King: amzn.to/3MqbVoQ
Not gonna lie, this memoir is not as good as Kroc’s. McLamore, well, he seems like a more well-rounded human being but a less interesting burger-preneur. It’s kind of a bummer how Pillsbury buys them and they end up in corporate purgatory. Nevertheless, it’s interesting just because you don’t know anything about BK’s origins before it.
JR Simplot: A Billion the Hard way: amzn.to/3QOZPIF
Good well done book - bit of a hagiography to be sure, which might be fine. It is very niche in that you have to be a Simplot obsessive to be into this imho.
Dave’s Way: amzn.to/45XfPN2
I just searched this one for the fry trivia, and he mentions how his successor was a fry obsessive.
Franchising: The Business Strategy that Changed The World: amzn.to/46YTfEV
I just read the McDonald’s chapter, but I read it first and it was a good starting point. I’m probably gonna read the rest of the book to mine for ideas for this series. Some reviewers point out that it’s a bit puffy of a book, but that can be fine if it’s a starting point.

[@SayAhh]

Supposedly from McDonald's FAQ in 2021: “When our suppliers partially fry our cut potatoes, they use an oil blend that contains beef flavouring.” “This ensures the great-tasting and recognisable flavour we all love from our World Famous Fries. The fries are cooked in our kitchens, seasoned with salt, and served hot to you.”

[@GauravSharma2106]

exception being India. I hope someone does a blind taste test between American and Indian McDonald's fries and see if they can spot a difference

[@matt45540]

Supposedly? You lead with that and Phil got to it at the end. Don't post some Twitter comment here

[@catatonicbug7522]

​@@matt45540he never mentioned beef flavored oil in the video. Only that beef tallow used to be the oil they used, but switched to vegetable oil later.

[@toobigtofit3584]

@@matt45540 He did not touch upon the use of a beef flavoring - he touched upon the use of beef tallow and how they switched away from beef tallow. The "beef flavoring" was only used after the switch away from beef tallow to (I believe) vegetable oil. As far as I understand it, the flavoring itself doesn't contain beef, but it does contain milk products making it vegetarian, but not vegan.

[@SayAhh]

​@@matt45540 Phil liked the comment. Also, beef tallow and beef flavoring are 2 different things. Twitter comment? It's literally still on the official McDonald's website, hence the quotation marks: "March 04, 2021" "Yes. When our suppliers partially fry our cut potatoes, they use an oil blend that contains beef flavoring. This ensures the great-tasting and recognizable flavor we all love from our World Famous Fries®. The fries are cooked in our kitchens, seasoned with salt, and served hot to you. Still curious? Find out everything you want to know about McDonald's World Famous Fries®"

[@developingtank]

10/10 LOL on the shot where you continue to talk into the freezer, but the angle has moved to point out how ridiculous talking into the freezer truly is. 🤣

[@chaseism]

Constantly impressed with your ability to find topics I didn't think I was interested in and you single handedly making me extremely interested in it. Great job...now I'm hungry!

[@skullies3580]

he is almost as good as Vsauce but tbh no one can beat Vsauce

[@bryanbooneart]

I'm really enjoying watching your channel grow and your production expand naturally. I like the way you put your personality into things and the little silly touches or funny asides. Keep it up!

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

thank ya!

[@foxtrotdeltausn4757]

My first (3) stop(s) upon graduating boot camp after nothing but galley food for 8 weeks was Burgerking for a double whopper with bacon and cheese, Wendy's for a large Frosty, and McDonalds for a large fry. I ate with my family and shortly after regretted it. Going from a low fat high protein diet, to that, wrecked my insides, but it was everything I dreamed of food wise.

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

Ken, you are, by far, my favorite KZbinr. The way to tell stories… Your sense of humor… and editing. Simply… the best.

[@periodictableoftheelements]

Fun fact: In studying the science of picky eaters, researchers have found almost no one who doesn't like french fries.

[@I_Love_Learning]

Weird Sidenote: If you walked all the way up the Simplot hill on Halloween, you would get a signed dollar coin from Simplot himself.

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

this hill is very mythological to me. i need to go to boise and visit it and the standard station

[@ryanortega1511]

Oh! I see what you did there.

[@I_Love_Learning]

@@ryanortega1511 I really don't know what you are referring to.

[@ryanortega1511]

It's a reference to the previous video. He's probably planning a second trip at this very moment.

[@I_Love_Learning]

@@ryanortega1511 Well yes, I understand that there is a Standard pretty close to the Simplot hill, but Simplot is also close to the Simplot hill

[@jonathandevries2828]

J.J. McCullough just released a video talking about mcdonalds fries like an hour ago! so weird when that happens!

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

fry zeitgeist!

[@Game_Hero]

Love how this still feels like a simple personal channel on the best most quirky subjects and that you take the time to have fun with everyone in the comments.

[@skeven0]

As a Belgian im offended by calling them french fries, the only reason why they are called "french fries" is due to a vendor who spoke french, but that vendor was from the french speaking part of Belgium, in any town/city and parish you will find atleast one small independant Fries shop , thats how serious we are about our fries and 8 out of 10 of those are atleased qualified by a "degree" of mastering the skill of making fries (that plaque they display either at the entrance of the shop or the window)

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

i respect your people

[@skeven0]

at the 9:50 part of the video you spoke of vegetable or beef tallow way of frying, i can confirm there is a different taste in that

[@Game_Hero]

@@PhilEdwardsInc Glory to Wallonia

[@justinblin]

The lesson I learned from this video is that McDonalds French fries are like cooking meth

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

you learned well

[@grafkirk]

As an Idahoan I feel so seen 🥔 Also fun fact: the Simplot Hill is massive and kids come from all over Boise to sled down it in the winter

[@Garbimba1900]

This just got me thinking how some organisms adapt perfectly and require no change. I think people could relate more to fries, instead. Like, now I can explain people how something achieved perfection and there's little room for improvement after that. Sure, you can innovate in other areas, but it's that, in other areas. Thanks, Phil!

[@jannetteberends8730]

Strange that the portions are so small. I’m from the Netherlands, and based on videos about the usa USA I learned that the portions in the USA are way larger than in Europe. But the fries of McDonald is an exception. A Dutch or Belgian portion of fries is everywhere on average 3 or 4 times more than a McDonald portion. And it’s also easy to find places where they are tastier.

[@Thomas_TdK]

in the Netherlands you don't go to mac donalds for the fries, if you want some real fries you go to your local snackbar.

[@lukerinderknecht2982]

Working at McDonald's in highschool in Canada, ca. 2001, we still used lard to cook the fries. Many vegetarians thought the fries were safe to eat...

[@niewazneniewazne1890]

I haven't been to mcDonalds in years. But last time I were their fries are usually cold, have 0 salt on them and a texture that doesn't belong on fries. mcDonalds is like someone has been described what food tastes like to a person without taste buds + scent sense and we're eating the recreations

[@gonnfishy2987]

Great insight. Sadly, very accurate

[@dodaexploda]

This is just amazing. As a fry nerd this hits home.

[@laurabowles]

Sat down at my computer with my McDonald's drive-through and opened KZbin. When I saw this video I knew it had to be the first one I watched. Great work as always!

[@Dr.Quarex]

Fancy Longs was basically memespeak in the 1970s, nice

[@meeseeeeks]

Disappointed that this video didn’t include any commentary or discussion on McD’s use of beef tallow. I was looking forward to that part! 🍟😌

[@the.original.throwback]

While going to college in the mid 1960s I worked at a food processing plant in Prosser, Washington that processed and packaged millions of tons of frozen russet potato French fries for multiple brands, including McDonalds. The in house USDA inspector made sure our products met federal food standards, the highest of which was USDA Grade A quality. However, a McDonalds quality inspector was always on hand, examining every phase of manufacturing and packaging when we were processing their French fries, to make sure they met McDonalds standards which were far higher than even USDA Grade A. The McDonalds inspectors were very thorough and any batch of fries that did not meet McDonald's extremely high standards were rejected and packaged under other labels. Your video about McDonalds French fry history explains why only McDonalds provided their own quality control inspector rather than simply relying on the USDA inspection to ensure quality.

[@pamartin]

The consistency of process being key reminds me of when I was in a bar in the early 80's. An Anheiser Busch sales rep came in with a couple of other AB reps and proclaimed that he was buying as long as you were drinking an AB product, you know, Bud, Busch, etc. I, being young/dumb and stubborn, stayed with my current brand (shout out to Genesee Brewing, if you know, you know), but I spoke with him about AB and he said they put exceptional effort into Budweiser brewing so that the Bud you buy on the east coast tastes like the one on the west coast and everywhere in between. The "sub" brands of AB will vary depending where you are, but Budweiser is gonna be consistent across the board. Make no mistake, they knew what bought the butter for their bread and they were going to insure that quality nationwide. The clown did the same thing with fries. Just good business. That was 40 years ago. I'm sure (😉) quality across the board has risen to support all AB brands. Maybe... I do miss the beef fat flavor imparted to the fries, alas.

[@Slurkz]

Thanks Phil! Such a joy to watch. 💜

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

thank ya!

[@tessat338]

I'm really glad that I watched this after a large meal or I'd be heading out to get some fries!

[@pdubsweir3]

I love how you covered this. Too often chefs push their own culinary biases in favor of freshness. This is one of the cases where food science makes total sense.

[@Bc232klm]

Fresh is still better, this is just what it took to capitalize at a massive scale. Frozen isn't better, just more efficient.

[@Game_Hero]

who can blame them?

[@aolson1111]

@@Bc232klm No, fresh isn't better for fries. Fresh gives you In n Out's shitty fries. Any good fry needs to be double fried. Freezing the fries between the two frys ensures that they don't get overcooked. Also, the moisture in the fry turns into jagged ice crystals that destroys the potato's cell structure, turning the interior from gummy to fluffy. Freezing is a legitimate cooking tool with many uses. Another example is freezing fish so that you don't get infested with parasites when you eat it raw. Only people who don't know anything about cooking say that freezing is inherently bad.

[@Future_Doggo]

Imo, out of the big chains, Wendy's has the most GOAT'D fries. No one can convince me otherwise.

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

including dipping in frosty imho

[@davidhildreth]

Growing up in Boise kids would go sledding on Simplot Hill or in the summer slide down on blocks of ice. They tried to give the house to the state at one point to be a governor's mansion, they didn't want it.

[@possiblyadog]

J.J. McCullough just uploaded a video called "Why is "fast food" burgers, fries, and chicken?" With how close the uploads were, I swear it was gonna be a crossover! Even if not, I hope they migrate over here once they're done. You work always deserves more attention 😁

[@gabriellegeorge2648]

Came here after JJ's video. Agreed!

[@Game_Hero]

You like that guy?

[@Acerdmen]

And yet another excellent video. You're slowly becoming one of my top 5 KZbinrs to consume content from!

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

hey thanks!

[@Thellloksd]

Interesting video as always, the graphics are so well done. The scratch looks painful, hope your okay.

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

healing. long fingernailed children should be avoided or placated at all costs

[@tomgidden]

Damn. I thought it'd be a future video on the traditions of Academic fencing scars.

[@radiantthought]

I want to say that I love your videos, they hook me every single time, however I always feel like I'm left lacking in depth. I want more. Have you tried/thought about doing longer-form content? I know you must do tons of research for these and I'd like to see more of that in the videos. Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I wouldn't mind if you made two videos, similar to destin from Smarter Every Day, one which is snappier, and one which is far less cut down for the folks who want to dive in all the way.

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

thank you! i geek out a bit more in the reaction videos, but that is a different thing. i just wanna make sure i have strong visuals for each moment. that said, if i get more time, it is an ambition of mine to take on bigger (though not necessarily more serious) topics. just really tight on time for a while

[@wilsonli5642]

McDonald's fries definitely has the most cultural cachet of any fast food restaurant, but it seems to me that if they were really winners, others would imitate them. But from what I've seen, nobody else cuts their fries just like McDonald's, in that sort of in-between thickness between shoelace fries and the fries you'd see at a typical, non-corporate local restaurant. I think Wendy's is probably the best example of that style of fries in both thickness and crispiness, even though it seems like very few people actually talk about their fries.

[@AcAlvin]

Well we do have curly fries here at Malaysia mcd during Jan, Feb every year because of chinese new year. Those curly fries are good.

[@Danielevans2]

Fantastic Video Phil! I know people love fries but I much prefer the British Pub "chip" which is a thick cut potato which holds it's heat WAYYY better than a McDonalds Fry.

[@Ashley-xu1lk]

I love this shot at 7:08 because first we get a "what the viewers sees" shot and then a "What his family sees" shot lmao

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

haha i didn't realize how much i had to contort my body until i was editing that shot in

[@livethefuture2492]

Lovin' all the movie and TV references! It's Great, I wouldn't mind more of them.

[@brandonguffey5959]

My dad used beef tallow in his fish and chip restaurant as that is the traditonal way to make british fish and chips and lemme tell you it makes the food taste one million times better. It's also not as bad for you as myth would have you believe.

[@qntnquarantino.5762]

Why does it contain 19 ingredients then? If it's so focused on the type of potato?

[@DingDimlewitz]

The elephant in the room is that scar after a cat claw.

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

a human child! even worse!

[@stellamcwick8455]

02:36 , that creepy Ronald McDonald archangel is something that I didn’t know I would find fascinating.

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

he is wise beyond his years

[@youtube_fantastic]

Amazing video as always Phil.

[@Henriquealexps]

5:31 The lick. If you know, you know

[@Tambo_Jay]

i personally prefer burger king fries. i only tried the ones in Hong Kong and Philippines. its thicker mushier inside, it has more structural integrity and it tastes more like how a potato should

[@gmenezesdea]

Those fries from the 1971 ad probably still look the same lol

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

haha indeed

[@matt007]

I rather have Culver’s fries over both these places. I’m a sucker for the crinkle cut.

[@1marcelfilms]

Mcdonalds: is rarely bad Burger king: is rarely good

[@pauljakeman]

Wow what’s with the size of the fries box at the start. Looks like a super large? Or is it just the portion sizes you get over there? If you can check out how big the large ones are in the uk, they’re half that! Great drawing of the potato btw mate. I wonder if they still do potato conferences? This was awesome work mate! Great video! 🍟

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

yea just a large fry! interesting!

[@kbearl]

Have done the Burger King burgers with McDonald's fries for the best of both.

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

wow this feels oddly twisted to me

[@ACrownofFlowers]

I actually prefer Burger King's fries because they're thick cut.

[@matthewarsenault463]

I was surprised how interesting this was great job keep it up

[@irrelevantonyt]

In Australia, our Burger King equivalent Hungry Jacks has far better fries, and it's pretty widely accepted. Sake with their burgers

[@BOABModels]

I know the appeal of McDonalds fries but living in the UK, give me proper chip shop chips 9 times out of 10.

[@static-san]

McDonald's championed consistency. You can buy a Big Mac and Fries in Sydney and it probably will be identical to the same meal bought in a New York McDonald's.

[@shramo]

Hungry Jacks (What burger king is called in australia) has these fat fries and they are way better than the shoestrings.

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

whoa never knew

[@mihali9655]

McDonalds won fries? I always wanted to avoid Maccas because of their terrible soggy chips. Even as a child.

[@arothmanmusic]

I remember the 1997 BK fries update. They gave them away free to get people to try them. They sucked. I stopped going to Burger King then and haven't been back.

[@iftheshuafits4268]

Another great video bringing us knowledge we didn't know we needed!

[@vhwjpzf1z0fi73a]

The normal fries are okay. I prefer Curly Fries, Crisscut Fries or Crispy Fries depending on where I am and what they offer

[@ungh8365]

Nice timing with J.J. McCullough's video

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

totally fryception!

[@ryanortega1511]

Link?

[@Game_Hero]

@@ryanortega1511 why would you?

[@ryanortega1511]

I just wanna know.

[@MatthewHarrold]

For at least 30 years, I thought Simplot was a corporate name, not a surname. On my home island (Tasmania) Simplot have taken over the north west coast and decimated the farming community, reducing otherwise prosperous farms to commodity producers with margins thinner than a Stephen King curse in the best weather. $0.02

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

oh wow

[@Brandon1612]

So well produced

[@i00Productions]

In Australia at least McDonald's fries are rubbish.. Hungry Jack's (this is Burger King everywhere else) ones seem consistently better (although being slightly less consistent themselves).. this wasn't the case until a few years ago, HJs really upped their game

[@SharpCinema]

The McDonalds fries do taste the best tho - like no one else is close.

[@kodeinBytes]

I really laughed with the Breaking Bad references, so good

[@DSAhmed]

So, what McDonald's does the best is consistency world wide. It all tastes exactly the same no matter where you go, anywhere on the planet. It's kind of insane.

[@developingtank]

Told myself I would eat healthy today... then I watched this vid. I'm a full on fry boy tryin' to get a taste from the golden arches, baby!

[@jasonwhitaker8427]

Carl's Jr. has superior fries. McDonald's are good but to often not fresh and flaccid.

[@dwightfry99]

I am looking forward to watching this... but McDonald's fries are the friggan worst! If you manage to get them fresh, then maybe they are rather appetizing. But, IMHO, you don't need fresh Burger King fries to cross that threshold. Now let's watch the video. (But I really don't understand what anyone could say positively about McDonald's fries.)

[@erikstormtrooper]

Bring back beef tallow in McDonald's fries!

[@FosukeLordOfError]

Before watching video I just have to say McDonald’s fries are the worst fast food fries. They don’t taste bad or anything I just would rather have any other fast food chains over theirs

[@The_Sofa_King]

I’m surprised no one else uses shoe string fries. It’s clearly the best cut and only McDonalds uses it.

[@reavl6494]

Idk, Burger King fries are the same or better in Norway where I'm from.

[@Grymgar]

Lol, I walked away from my computer to get a special indulgence of two cheeseburgers and small fry. Sit down and what do you know, Phil is talking about what I'm eating.

[@ShapeyFiend]

I really liked Burger King's shake em up fries, although I seem to have been in the minority. McDonalds ones are a bit limp for my taste.

[@ActuallyImaginary]

Nah, because my dyslexia definitely made me yhink it was the first title lmao

[@grischu8277]

Whenever I eat Mcdonald's fries I'm disappointed, which I'm happens much less when ordering BurgeKing fries.

[@BurritoKingdom]

The fry freeze fry method is actually the best way to fry fries. Frying fries immediately after cutting them leaves them limp. That's why in-n-out fries suck.

[@carllinden533]

This completely changes running something on a potato, potato computers are amazing.

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

i know i also liked the twist on that phrase

[@edward.miranda]

7:11 Nobody noticed this comedy?

[@robert-zr1kx]

The moment this video came out they started taasting inedible

[@brianinsanfran]

Have you been to McD's lately? The fries are always soggy and unseasoned.

[@samueldavies8461]

You dont have chicken salt in the US. Kfc fries in Australia with chicken salt are king

[@marycleary-qe5ou]

For me, the fries were never the sane after they stopped using tallow fat. I tell younger people how delicious the fries used to be.

[@Downhuman74]

Neither here nor there, but BK's regular fries taste better all around. And that's not even something I have to work hard to convince people.... Me: "Just try one. Son: "Oh, yeah. Wow!" But, it actually doesn't matter. McDonalds still wins here and it's not even close.

[@WOMFT]

Bruh if BK just make their breakfast "fries" thier regular fries it would be top tier

[@catatonicbug7522]

Too bad the push for efficiency hasn't continued to today. In 1992 when I worked the grill, we had 90 seconds to get the food out the window from the moment the customer BEGAN ordering. Now, I sit in drive through for 30 minutes or more.

[@skasev]

Obsession… Phil you’re obsessed.

[@Hascienda27]

Fresh burger king froes demolish McDonald’s

[@DeadCat-42]

I hate coated fries. Why did every fast food place except McDonald's go with the nasty tasting coated fries? McDonald's and Penn station make good fries, I don't order them anywhere else. I wind up throwing them out anyway and nine times out of ten they are old and cold. The last few times I got fries at Wendy's and Burger King it looked like they re-fried old fries , and they were still cold! Spackled, soggy, cold and terrible is what I come to expect.

[@vodac1206]

Phil with the cool ass scar 😎

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

this is my bond villain era

[@Ratkwad]

Burger King dont get their oil hot enough for a chip of that size, thats why they suck

[@FloydMaxwell]

Second of your videos. Gotta subscribe.

[@UltravioletNomad]

And they're only using a fraction of their power.

[@sergiorestrepo6657]

Thank you Phil

[@aidenlosh9518]

McDonalds may have the most famous fries, but Penn Station definitively has the best fries. They don't use frozen fries either, always cut fresh in store.

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

penn station the train station?

[@triciac.5078]

I’m here with the same question. What is this Penn Station? Cuz I’m thinking NYC but that doesn’t make sense.

[@ChrisCaramia]

It's a hot sub sandwich shop east of the Mississippi.

[@triciac.5078]

@@ChrisCaramia ah. I guess I live too far east? Never heard of it :)

[@aidenlosh9518]

@@PhilEdwardsInc It's a sub chain I used to work at. Their fries were awesome.

[@JohnSmith-zw8vp]

Yep, still doing that pinching the bottom of the box crap so you end up with only a half box of fries...when in the commercials/ads the fries are always stuffed full and standing tall and proud. I will NEVER go to McDonalds as long as they continue to pull this crap.

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

i did have to stuff my fry box!

[@brucemc1581]

I get the runs when I eat their fries.

[@iamelonmusk9501]

McDonalds had decent fries once upon a time.