I'm a recruiter (not at McDonald's, for context, agency side) but I've placed a few people through their Global Technology org and helped candidates prep. The recruiter phone screen at McDonald's is more structured than people expect.
Length: Usually 30 minutes. Occasionally 45 for senior roles.
What they cover: Background confirmation. They've read the resume but they want to hear you narrate the story of your career in 2-3 minutes. Practice this. The candidates who stumble here already put the recruiter on edge. Role clarification. They'll explain the team, the stack, and the scope. Pay attention because they also use this as a check on whether you did your homework. Asking a question that's answered on their careers page is a small red flag. Motivation question. 'Why McDonald's?' or 'Why this team specifically?' They're not looking for flattery. They genuinely want to know why you want to work on restaurant tech at a QSR company rather than at a startup or a FAANG adjacent. Having a real answer here is differentiating. Availability / logistics. Start date, location (Chicago HQ vs remote), potential visa or work authorization questions. Comp expectation. They usually ask. Know your number. Don't refuse to give a range, it delays the process and frustrates the recruiter.
What they're screening out: Candidates who clearly applied to McDonald's as a backup with no real interest in the company. Candidates who can't explain their own resume. Candidates who are rude or dismissive about the brand ('I know it's McDonalds but...') -- that actually comes up more than you'd think.
Tips: Know one or two specific things about McDonald's tech efforts (mobile ordering, loyalty program, digital kiosk expansion) and reference them naturally. Ask about the team structure and what a first 90 days looks like. These questions signal you're thinking about actually doing the job, not just getting the offer. Confirm next steps at the end of the call.
The technical screen follows usually within a week if the phone screen goes well.