Slippery Rock McDonald’s participates in ‘Paying with Lovin’ campaign

The Slippery Rock McDonald’s on Main Street is participating in the “Paying with Lovin’” campaign that aired during Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday.

Beginning Feb. 2 through Valentine’s Day as part of a promotional offer, McDonald’s has been letting people pay for their meals with “lovin.’”  They will be giving free value meals to customers during predetermined time slots if the customer agrees to perform an act of lovin.’  Winners do not necessarily have to be paying customers, the first person to walk through the door during the time slot is deemed a winner when the show some love.

Brian Dickens has been the manager at the SRU McDonald’s for seven months.  Dickens said on the first day 20 acts were performed and 17 on the second.  The lovin’ acts remain pretty consistent between 15 to 20 per day.  Fist pumps, high fives, and calling someone to tell them you love them are examples of acts that have taken place.  The campaign is a way for McDonald’s employees to interact with the customers and get some traffic, Dickens said.

“We are having fun with it, especially with our regular coffee drinkers in the morning who sit in the lobby,” Dickens said.  “The employees have fun with it because they know the customers on a personal level.”

The “lovin’” acts are designated by the store manager.  An act will be picked for a designated time but sometimes the customer is given an option because the acts are geared towards younger people, Dickens said.

“We have to be sensitive to the customer,” Dickens said.  “If an elderly couple comes up and orders lunch, I’m not going to have them take a selfie.”

 Graduate student Keshia Booker, clinical mental health and counseling major was one person who was asked to participate in the ‘Paying with Lovin’ campaign. After Booker ordered her food, she was asked to do a happy dance in exchange for her money. Booker expressed that this took her by suprise. 

“I feel very happy,” Booker said. “I think it’s cool. I was very surprised that I got my food for free.”

When asked how long she has been an employee at McDonald’s, Nancy Gilson said all she can say is forever.  Gilson thinks the campaign is beneficial because it makes them customer friendly.

“Customers are usually surprised and they enjoy doing something silly,” Gilson said.  “My favorite thing to make customers do is a happy dance.”

Dickens said he loves the campaign because the thing that separates McDonald’s from other places is one on one contact with customers.

“I think the campaign is definitely where we have to grab the customer for their hospitality and form that relationship that will set us apart from other people or other restaurants in the area,” Dickens said.