One Simple Trick for the Freshest Food and Best Service at This Arizona Fast Food Chain

• Why you shouldn't go paperless at this restaurant
• How asking for a receipt will make your service better
• Best time to stop for the best service and freshest food

When McDonald's Asks If You Need a Receipt, Say Yes

When you go through any drive-thru line these days, it's almost a reflex to say no when we're offered a receipt. We all know it's one more piece of paper that will likely end up on the floor of our car.

Do you really need to remember you stopped for a Big Mac and how much you paid? Probably not, but here's why it's better to say yes to that receipt, especially at certain times of the day.

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When You Say 'Yes', You Send a Signal

Taste of Home shares that like many restaurants, McDonald's uses Mystery Shoppers to get the best out of their employees. And this is not a rare event. In fact, mystery shoppers visit McDonald's stores both in the lobby and in the drive-thru several times a day.

In order to get reimbursed for their purchases, these mystery shoppers have to prove they made the purchase, which they do with - you guessed it - their receipt!

The Best Hack: Order When Mystery Shoppers Visit Most Often

To really hack the system, try to get your timing right. Asking for a receipt is just the first step. Mystery shoppers usually plan their visit during the busiest time of the day to get an accurate picture of how things are running at the restaurant.

McDonald's employees know when they're most likely to show up. The first time is over the lunch rush which happens between noon and 2 pm and again during the dinner hours from 5 pm to 7 pm.

When you ask for a receipt during these times, you're far more likely to get a meal that's hot and fresh.