McDonald’s vs. MAX: Usability Testing of Fast-Food Apps
McDonald’s vs. MAX: Usability Testing of Fast-Food Apps
McDonald’s vs. MAX: Usability Testing of Fast-Food Apps
Evaluated MAX and McDonald’s mobile apps to identify key usability issues and redesign the most critical problem areas.
Evaluated MAX and McDonald’s mobile apps to identify key usability issues and redesign the most critical problem areas.
TIMELINE
March – May 2024
March – May 2024
ROLE
UX/UI Designer
UX/UI Designer
TOOLS
Figma
Figma
Context
Context
Context
This 10-week project evaluated and compared the usability of MAX and McDonald’s apps, using ISO 9241-11 to measure effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction.
The project was completed as part of the Evaluation Methods course at Stockholm University.
This 10-week project evaluated and compared the usability of MAX and McDonald’s apps, using ISO 9241-11 to measure effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction.
The project was completed as part of the Evaluation Methods course at Stockholm University.
Research question
Research question
Research question
How does the usability of the McDonald’s and MAX mobile apps differ when users customise and order vegan meals?
How does the usability of the McDonald’s and MAX mobile apps differ when users customise and order vegan meals?
Process
Process
Process
Define
Define
Define
How was usability measured?
How was usability measured?
Effectiveness – task completion, errors, and need for assistance.
Efficiency – number of taps and task completion time, measured using mobile screen recordings.
Satisfaction – participant feedback and satisfaction ratings, measured through post-task interviews and a survey with Likert-scale ratings and open-ended questions about the tasks and overall app experience.
Effectiveness – task completion, errors, and need for assistance.
Efficiency – number of taps and task completion time, measured using mobile screen recordings.
Satisfaction – participant feedback and satisfaction ratings, measured through post-task interviews and a survey with Likert-scale ratings and open-ended questions about the tasks and overall app experience.
Test
Test
Test
10 participants · Between-groups design · 5 participants per app
10 participants · Between-groups design · 5 participants per app
Used a between-groups design to minimise learning effects and enable a clearer comparison of the two ordering experiences, including usability issues encountered in each ordering flow.
Task: Participants ordered and customised a vegan meal by adding or removing ingredients.
Used a between-groups design to minimise learning effects and enable a clearer comparison of the two ordering experiences, including usability issues encountered in each ordering flow.
Task: Participants ordered and customised a vegan meal by adding or removing ingredients.
Analyse
Analyse
Analyse
Analysed and compared quantitative data across the two apps, including the number of taps, task completion time, task completion and satisfaction ratings.
Analysed and compared qualitative data from post-task interviews, open-ended survey responses, and observed usability issues to identify recurring patterns, differences, and pain points.
Analysed and compared quantitative data across the two apps, including the number of taps, task completion time, task completion and satisfaction ratings.
Analysed and compared qualitative data from post-task interviews, open-ended survey responses, and observed usability issues to identify recurring patterns, differences, and pain points.
Identify
Identify
Identify
Key findings:
Key findings:
Completing the task in McDonald’s required 44% more taps and took 6.4% longer than in MAX.
MAX’s carousel design was more efficient, while McDonald’s wizard-style flow felt smoother to navigate.
Unclear labels in MAX (e.g. “Supreme Green”) confused participants looking for vegetarian options.
Vegan and vegetarian options were difficult to distinguish visually.
Both apps redirected users to external websites for nutritional information, causing navigation difficulties due to the lack of a clear back button.
Inconsistent cart visibility in McDonald’s created uncertainty about whether items had been added. The cart was sometimes hidden or displayed without the total price.
Completing the task in McDonald’s required 44% more taps and took 6.4% longer than in MAX.
MAX’s carousel design was more efficient, while McDonald’s wizard-style flow felt smoother to navigate.
Unclear labels in MAX (e.g. “Supreme Green”) confused participants looking for vegetarian options.
Vegan and vegetarian options were difficult to distinguish visually.
Both apps redirected users to external websites for nutritional information, causing navigation difficulties due to the lack of a clear back button.
Inconsistent cart visibility in McDonald’s created uncertainty about whether items had been added. The cart was sometimes hidden or displayed without the total price.
Redesign
Redesign
Redesign
Based on the findings, I prioritised four interface improvements addressing issues that affected task completion, caused repeated confusion, or added unnecessary effort to the core ordering flow.
Based on the findings, I prioritised four interface improvements addressing issues that affected task completion, caused repeated confusion, or added unnecessary effort to the core ordering flow.
Clarify labels and improve visual distinction between dietary options in MAX
Replace unclear terms such as “Supreme Green” with “Vegetarian” and “Plant-based” with “Vegan” to make dietary options easier to identify.
Use a darker green from MAX’s brand palette to create a clearer visual distinction between vegetarian and vegan options.
Clarify labels and improve visual distinction between dietary options in MAX
Replace unclear terms such as “Supreme Green” with “Vegetarian” and “Plant-based” with “Vegan” to make dietary options easier to identify.
Use a darker green from MAX’s brand palette to create a clearer visual distinction between vegetarian and vegan options.
Before: MAX
After: MAX
Integrate nutritional information within the apps
Keep nutritional information within the app and provide consistent navigation, including a clear back button.
Integrate nutritional information within the apps
Keep nutritional information within the app and provide consistent navigation, including a clear back button.
Before: MAX
After: MAX
Add a persistent shopping cart
Add a persistent shopping cart to McDonald’s app that shows the number of items and current total price throughout the ordering process to make the cart easier to access and improve task flow.
Add a persistent shopping cart
Add a persistent shopping cart to McDonald’s app that shows the number of items and current total price throughout the ordering process to make the cart easier to access and improve task flow.
Before: McDonald’s
After: McDonald’s
Reflections
Reflections
Reflections
This project strengthened my understanding of how quantitative and qualitative data can complement each other in usability evaluation. It also highlighted the importance of participant selection and prior experience when comparing two products.
If I were to continue the project, I would test the redesigned interfaces with a larger and more diverse group to evaluate whether the proposed changes improved effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction.
This project strengthened my understanding of how quantitative and qualitative data can complement each other in usability evaluation. It also highlighted the importance of participant selection and prior experience when comparing two products.
If I were to continue the project, I would test the redesigned interfaces with a larger and more diverse group to evaluate whether the proposed changes improved effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction.
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Let’s Connect
Let’s Connect
Let’s Connect
Have a role, project, or design problem in mind?
Have a role, project, or design problem in mind?
Have a role, project, or design problem in mind?
I would be glad to hear about it. Reach me directly or connect through LinkedIn.
I would be glad to hear about it.
Reach me directly or connect through LinkedIn.
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