Anyone who has ever ordered a McFlurry during a McDonald’s run knows that these desserts tend to come with a plastic spoon on the side. However, there are a number of people who have mistaken the spoon for a plastic straw.
It’s an easy mistake to make because the plastic spoon is hollow on the inside, making it appear like a spoon/straw combo.
Since this has become such a common misconception, McDonald’s has decided that they are going to have a little bit of fun with it. If you are among the many customers who thought that these spoons were straws, you can get a free Caramel Brownie McFlurry. The offer is only available on May 4, 2021.
McDonald’s is prepared to give away a sizable number of these treats because they realize that almost everyone has made this mistake at one time or another.
So, why does the spoon look like a straw if it is not one?
Fortunately, McDonald’s has a very reasonable explanation as well. “The hollow opening on top of the McFlurry spoon serves a very important purpose!” said McDonald’s during an interview with Food and Wine. “After adding our creamy, cool soft-serve and delicious toppings to your McFlurry cup, our crew members attach the spoon to a machine that mixes the creamy vanilla soft serve and yummy ingredients together, ensuring there is a perfect amount of your topping in each bite,” they continued.
If you would like to take a closer look at the blending process, check out the video below.
“Our McFlurry spoon is ~misunderstood~ and every true McDonald’s fan understands the struggle of confusing it for a straw,” the video’s description reads. “While we can’t change the iconic hollow spoon (a key piece of the mixing process), we can help ease the sting of your facepalm upon figuring out how to use it.”
To claim your free McFlurry, you’ll just need to scan the offer code in McDonald’s App on May 4 at a participating McDonald’s!