[Tibbes]

It's clear what the incentive is for Taylor (the ice cream machine maker), but I wonder what the incentive is for McDonalds.

There must be some cash-flow from Taylor to McDonalds, but something as simple as "pay McDonalds $X million to specify Taylor machines in their franchise contracts" seems like a kickback.

Maybe the key is that the video shows that this particular machine is "by Taylor and McDonalds" (the McDonalds logo is on the instruction manuals). Perhaps McDonalds therefore get royalties or something similar.

[etempleton]

Never assume malice when simple incompetence is likely.

I have read—somewhere I can’t remember—horror stories of how badly run the corporate owned McDonalds are vs the franchise owned locations. Simple procedures like cleaning out the soda machines on a regular basis are never completed or even known that they should be completed by staff or management leading to mold build up.

In a corporation as successful and large as McDonalds changing anything even if it is seemingly a logical and good idea is more dangerous than doing absolutely nothing. Being a friendly and agreeable employee will be better for career growth than being a hard-driving and demanding employee.

Being the employee that advocates changing vendors away from a long-time proven vendor is a great way to annoy and create headaches for your boss.