FTC, DOJ Push for Repair Options to Fix McDonald's Broken Ice Cream Machines

• The FTC and DOJ want to allow McDonald's franchise owners to legally hire third-parties to fix broken ice cream machines, which break down frequently and lose owners $625 per day.

• The agencies filed comments seeking copyright law exemptions so owners wouldn't have to rely on slow, authorized technicians that take around 90 days to come.

• This comes amid a dispute between McDonald's and a start-up that made a device to quickly fix the machines, which McDonald's barred citing warranties and safety.

• The start-up sued McDonald's machine maker Taylor in 2021 for allegedly copying their device after obtaining one.

• Broken ice cream machines provoke many customer complaints, as evidenced by a website tracking in real-time that 10% of McDonald's have broken machines.