No ice cream? Fly your flag at half mast

I recently received a meme suggesting McDonald's needs to fly a flag at half mast when the ice cream machine was broken. I thought it was pretty funny, because I've had that experience before. But now I think it's a really good idea. On Saturday I went to two McDonald's in Johannesburg (Highlands North and Lyndhurst), on a blazing summer day, and was unable to buy ice cream. Now, while I realise this isn't the kind of crisis that starts world wars, it was pretty annoying. But here's the interesting bit: I then went to the KFC down the road, and not only did I get a delicious ice cream, but I got a HUGE smile at the same time! So here's my assessment, as an average consumer living in a really hot climate: McDonald's is losing the plot. The story gets even more interesting when you try to get hold of McDonald's. Head office in Joburg kindly puts you through to voicemail. Customer care informs you that the number is no longer being used, and directs you to the really "exciting" new live chat at the bottom right on the website. I'm still looking for it. Personally, I'm not going looking for a McFlurry again in a hurry. (They've lost their spark too. Nowadays, you can get any McFlurry on the menu as long as it's Oreo.) My vehicle will head to the friendly drive-thru at KFC or Burger King.