'Heartbreaking' photo of McDonald's PlayPlace triggers social media firestorm
A McDonald's in Franklin, Tennessee, is attracting viral attention after a customer called out the children's play area.
X user @NancyAFrench posted an image of the PlayPlace," writing, "This is so heartbreaking. I'm at a new McDonalds in Franklin, TN and look at their 'play place' for children. Two screens/two chairs."
The photo showed a corner of the restaurant with a sitting area and two screens embedded in the wall.
"McDonald's and our franchisees are proud to provide family-friendly spaces across many of our U.S. restaurants," a McDonald's spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
"While this restaurant has a few interactive features for younger guests, it does not represent the full PlayPlace design and experience," the spokesperson added.
The X user added a video to her thread saying, "I went back in to make sure I didn't miss something."
"There was this column thing that might be for getting kids to exercise. But I don't think this is temporary. I think this is it," she continued.
The video shows the woman stomping on an interactive music pad along with a "playground safety rules" sign.
The post garnered more than 16 million views and nearly 2,000 comments.
This is so heart breaking. I'm at a new McDonalds in Franklin, TN and look at their "play place" for children. Two screens/two chairs. 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/j2gxrJZklq
"I hope that's only temporary! We still have the play equipment at my local McD's," commented one X user.
"Upsetting," another user wrote.
"This is more of a punishment place," added another.
A user reminisced, saying, "so many joys our kids will never know."
"The playpits were filthy, and this screen thing is an abomination," declared one woman.
"Nothing says childhood fun like staring at a screen in a slightly different location than home," another person wrote.
I went back in to make sure I didn't miss something. There was this column thing that might be for getting kids to exercise. But I don't think this is temporary. I think this is it. pic.twitter.com/NkpTvACJ2J
One woman commented, "If kids won't pick up toys to play with anymore and demand screens - businesses provide what the consumer keeps asking for, repeatedly. The digital heroin conditioning."
Other X users didn't appear to be fazed by the play area.
"seems fine to me," one person commented.
"McDonalds is not a childcare facility. They are there to eat," another user wrote.
Children ages 8-12 spend four to six hours a day watching or using screens, while teens spend up to nine hours, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP).
It is advised that children between the ages of 2 and 5 limit non-educational screen time to an hour per weekday and a maximum of three hours on weekends.
For children 6 and over, the AACAP recommends encouraging "healthy habits and limit activities that include screens."
Too much screen time can cause obesity, irregular sleep, behavioral problems and possible exposure to violent content, according to Mayo Clinic.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Best Fast Food Chicken Nuggets, Ranked & Reviewed
It's widely known that people have feelings about the best fast food chicken sandwich and fries. But I'm betting folks feel just as strongly about chicken nuggets, too. These bite-size, crispy, dunkable bites of deliciousness have comforted most of us since childhood. While I'd never turn down a fresh nug, I'd be lying if I said they're all created equal. To find the best fast food chicken nuggets of all time, I visited seven popular chains to taste them myself. Below, you'll find my honest reviews, original photos and overall ranking. Of course, this list is totally subjective, so grain of salt…but I do consider myself a fast food connoisseur of sorts. Read on to find out my favorites. Spoiler: All of them are pretty valid for the cost. (Note: Prices are rounded to the nearest half-dollar. Pricing and availability may vary by location.) The Best Fast Food Desserts You Can Order Right Now, Ranked by a Food Editor Taryn Pire What It Is: white meat chicken in crispy, homestyle seasoned breading Price (8-piece): $3 At a price point this cheap, odds are you're not getting a quality bird. But hey, it's fast food—you already knew that. That said, this is probably one of the more solid options on the Burger King menu (unless you're all about breading over meat; then it's Chicken Fries for you). My nuggets were black pepper-y and freshly cooked. The breading was crisp but less so than McDonald's (more on that later). That said, there was nothing wrong with these, but nothing outstanding either. Learn more Taryn Pire What It Is: white meat chicken nuggets in Original Recipe breading Price (five-piece): $4 The smell of these reminded me of rotisserie chicken, and the seasonings give rustic, like chicken soup. The nuggets were sort of a middle ground between two chicken nugget camps: traditional nuggets, made from mechanically separated chicken, and boneless wings or chicken pieces. They were considerably smaller than other boneless options on this list and more uniform in size, both nugget qualities in my book. But even though the chicken pieces were straight poultry instead of a ground mixture, they were still a bit dry and old-looking rather than juicy. This batch, in particular, was also too salty for my taste. Learn more Taryn Pire What It Is: breaded, fried white meat chicken Price (four-piece): $2 I'd only ever had the spicy nuggets at Wendy's, but there's a first time for everything. The chicken was juicy and freshly fried, and the breading was tasty and evenly salted, albeit a bit thinner and less crunchy than that of McDonald's nuggets. These were coated in more of a breading than a batter. While I still prefer the hot version, these nuggets were solid (and they tasted even better with honey mustard). Learn more Taryn Pire What It Is: white meatboneless wings marinated in Louisiana spices and fired Price (six-piece): $7 Popeye's is sort of in its own league, not just in terms of quality but also flavor profile (all those Louisiana spices and whatnot). I tried the chain's boneless wings, as they don't explicitly use the word 'nugget' on their menu. The chicken was very tender and succulent, and the pieces were comparatively large. The breading was very crispy and well-seasoned, although subtle in flavor compared to the hot iteration. Learn more Taryn Pire What It Is: tender, juicy nuggets of fried, white meat chicken Price (six-piece): $5 If it's a proper chicken nugget you seek, McDonald's is the best option. With a thick, batter-like breading that always reminds me of savory funnel cake (if that's a thing), the nuggets are dependably crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside and evenly seasoned with notes of black pepper and McD's signature onions. As long as they're fresh, they're going to slap. Have 'em with the chain's creamy Buffalo sauce, OK? Learn more Taryn Pire What It Is: white meat chicken marinated in jalapeño buttermilk and coated in tortilla chip breading Price (five-piece): $6 Yup, Taco Bell has chicken nuggets now—and they give the heavyweights a run for their money. The chicken is marinated in jalapeño buttermilk, which not only infuses the meat with plenty of flavor, but also tenderizes it. Meanwhile, the tortilla chip-based breading was crisp and tasty without being excessively spicy or overwhelming; in fact, it looked thinner than some others on the list, but packed a mighty crunch. The chicken looked natural, more like a boneless wing than a nugget, but the portion and individual, uniform size of each piece was also larger than most competitors. Try them with the new, delightfully swicy Mike's Hot Honey Diablo Dip Sauce. Learn more Taryn Pire What It Is: seasoned pieces ofboneless chicken breast, freshly breaded and pressure cooked in peanut oil Price (five-piece): $3 Chick-fil-A's offering was easily the juiciest, most succulent fast food chicken nugget of all. I got them in literally ten seconds after ordering, but they still tasted and looked very fresh. The nuggets are real chicken pieces instead of mechanically separated poultry. They're poppably small (meaning they offer nugget feel with a step up in quality, in terms of meat) and inconsistently sized, but that's the game you play with chicken pieces instead of molded nuggets. The breading was mildly seasoned but not bland in the slightest, making the nuggets an easy win and a crowd-pleaser, even for first timers. Learn more The Best Fast Food Fish Sandwiches, Taste Tested & Ranked
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
The 12 Best Fast Food Chicken Sandwiches, Ranked and Reviewed by a Food Editor
Remember the chicken sandwich wars? After Popeye's added what turned out to be a cult-favorite fried chicken sandwich to its menu in 2019, more than 20 American fast food brands (including McDonald's, Taco Bell and Shake Shack) followed suit over the next two years. Six years in—and to no one's surprise—people have big feelings about which one reigns supreme. Being a drive-thru regular myself, I set out to find the best fast food chicken sandwich overall by tasting 14 different handhelds from 12 popular chains in and around Philadelphia. Here, you'll find my honest reviews and original photos of each, plus an overall ranking from worst to best. Read on for my top and bottom picks. (Note: Prices may vary based on location or region. The prices below are rounded to the nearest half-dollar.) The Best Fast Food Desserts You Can Order Right Now, Ranked by a Food Editor Each sandwich was ordered in-store or at the drive-thru (rather than for pickup or delivery) in an effort to ensure maximum freshness. The sandwiches were photographed and tasted immediately. For testing fairness, I only tried crispy chicken sandwiches (as opposed to grilled) that were permanent menu items. If a chain offered original and spicy iterations of a chicken sandwich, I only tested the original options for consistency. Finally, I evaluated and ranked each sandwich based on taste, texture, presentation/appearance and cost, factoring in the quality and size to determine if it was fairly priced. You'll also note that each item received a star rating out of five. Here's a breakdown of what each rating means: 1 star: bad, no redeeming qualities 2 stars: fine, but nothing noteworthy 3 stars: decent, but could be improved 4 stars: good, minimal improvements could be made 5 stars: excellent, next to no improvements could be made 2 stars Taryn Pire What's on It: shredded lettuce, mayo Cost: $5 Pros: tangy mayo, filling Cons: no pickles, chicken wasn't crispy While I appreciated the exceptionally tangy mayo on the Original Chicken Sandwich, the chicken itself was rather bland. This Burger King sandwich was very soft, not crispy—sort of like the chicken patties I remember having in my middle school cafeteria. But that's not to say it wasn't enjoyable; it was also pretty hefty, thanks to the bread. Pickles would've gone a long way here. I also tried the Crispy Chicken ($5.59), which came on a sesame seed bun with breaded chicken, lettuce, tomato and mayo. This one was sort of herby, making the mayo taste like a tame ranch dressing. But the lettuce was sad and the chicken was bland (albeit crispy). Learn more 2 stars Taryn Pire What's on It: mayo, pickles, lettuce, tomato Cost: $5 Pros: soft bread, balanced components Cons: chicken could be crunchier and better seasoned The Classic Mother Cruncher boasted a pillowy soft bun and tender, juicy chicken that could've been crunchier. (This one also gave cafeteria chicken patty or frozen chicken nugget.) The pickles were meh and the lettuce and tomato looked a bit pallid. This one wasn't inedible by any means—just one-note across the board. Learn more 2 stars Taryn Pire What's on It: lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickles Cost: $6 Pros: sour pickles, filling Cons: dry, thin chicken, not as well-seasoned as the spicy version I've been ordering the spicy iteration at Wendy's for years, so I had high hopes for the Classic Chicken Sandwich. But unfortunately, the chicken was thin and under seasoned. It wasn't very juicy and didn't seem freshly made. The crunchy, sour pickles redeemed it a bit, but the spicy one still reigns supreme in my book. (Also, why doesn't that one get pickles?) Learn more 3 stars Taryn Pire What's on It: lettuce, tomato, mayo Cost: $6 Pros: large piece of juicy, tender chicken Cons: mayo could be tangier, sandwich could be better seasoned It's 2025—Arby's does much more than roast beef and deli sandwiches nowadays. As for the chain's Crispy Chicken Sandwich, the chicken was hefty and very juicy. I found it to be similar to the McDonald's Deluxe McCrispy (more on that later), but it was kind of bland. I wished the mayo was tangier for a punchier bite. Learn more 3 stars Taryn Pire What's on It: lettuce, tomato, mayo Cost: $6 Pros: crispy, large piece of chicken Cons: tomato was too thick, messily assembled Between the standard McCrispy and the Deluxe, the latter had fresher, crispier, better-quality chicken. The mayo was delightfully tart, but I thought the tomatoes were kind of overkill. (Maybe it was just how my sandwich was constructed; it was messy and lopsided.) I also tasted the regular McCrispy, which was cheaper at $4.89 a pop and came with nothing but crinkle-cut pickles. I'll give this McDonald's pick points for its no-frills charm and soft bun, but the chicken was soggy. Learn more 3 stars Taryn Pire What's on It: mayo, pickles Cost: $6 Pros: large piece of chicken, sour pickles Cons: messily assembled, chicken seemed old This KFC sandwich was massive, but the chicken looked a bit pale and tasted old to me. Its size was a double-edged sword, as it made for a poorly constructed handheld and an awkward eating experience. (Plus, all the mayo was slathered in one spot and the pickles were piled on top of each other.) However, I appreciated the double-breaded crust on the chicken and the pleasantly sour pickles. I felt the breading and toppings would've been better suited for a crispy fish sandwich though, in case the Colonel ever feels like branching out. Learn more 4 stars Taryn Pire What's on It: dill pickle chips Cost: $5 Pros: crunchy, juicy chicken Cons: a touch bland I've never really understood the fuss about Chick-fil-A…and this sammy didn't change my mind. The O.G. Chicken Sandwich felt soggy on the outside and came with only two pickle chips on top. Yes, the chicken was crunchy, juicy and generously sized, but it could've been more robustly seasoned. Don't get me wrong, it was solid. But despite its appetizing appearance, I found it to be a bit underwhelming. That peach milkshake though? Worth the buzz. Learn more 4 stars Taryn Pire What's on It: lettuce, Cane's Sauce Cost: $8 Pros: large portion, chicken was very fresh Cons: difficult to eat, would be better balanced with pickles, could be more robustly seasoned Raising Cane's cult-favorite chicken fingers are hand-battered to order, so the poultry is basically guaranteed to turn out fresh and crispy. That said, I found this sandwich (which includes three chicken fingers) to be harder to eat than sandwiches with a single piece or patty of chicken, and it could've been more boldly seasoned. The sweet, ketchup-y Cane's Sauce pulled a lot of weight in the flavor department, but I felt sour pickles would've made it more balanced. Learn more 5 stars Taryn Pire What's on It: lettuce, pickles, buttermilk herb mayo Cost: $8.50 Pros: sour pickles, mayo was herbaceous and flavorful, bun was soft and fresh, chicken was tender and crisp Cons: small for the price The Chicken Shack is the most expensive sammy on my list, and it's mostly worth the price. Although it was comparatively small versus some of its competitors, the Shake Shack chicken was juicy and crispy, the pickles were exceptionally acidic and the ranch-like herby mayo beautifully elevated each bite. I also loved the soft-as-clouds potato bun. Learn more 5 stars Taryn Pire What's on It: pickles, lettuce, mayo Cost: $6 Pros: large for the price, well-seasoned breading, chicken was very crisp and fresh Cons: toppings could be more evenly applied Sonic continues to surprise me. (Seriously—the Groovy Fries, which placed second in my ranking of fast food fries, are not to be missed.) The Crispy Chicken Sandwich came with a very wide piece of chicken that overflowed on all sides of the brioche bun. Despite its width, it wasn't excessively thick or juicy. I loved the very crispy breading; its flavor was slightly sweet and oniony. Learn more 5 stars Taryn Pire What's on It: pickles, mayo Cost: $5.50 Pros: great size and quality for the price, balanced flavor, chicken was very fresh, crisp and juicy Cons: pickles were a bit thick Popeye's started the chicken sandwich wars, and from where I'm sitting, most franchises are trying—and failing—to dethrone it. While I'm partial to the spicy variety, the Classic Chicken Sandwich had the same buttery bun, flawlessly sour pickle chips (which were, admittedly, a smidge thick) and juicy, impossibly crunchy, battered-to-order chicken. The breading was deeply flavorful, but the sammy as a whole was arguably greasier than some of the from-frozen ones on this list, so it may not be your fave if that's a turn-off for you. Learn more 5 stars Taryn Pire What's on It: umami mayo Cost: $6 Pros: very fresh chicken, breading was robustly seasoned, umami mayo was super savory and flavorful Cons: none Yup, this Filipino chain is well worth the hype. The Original Chicken Sandwich was beyond juicy, fresh and generously seasoned. Paired with nothing but savory umami mayo, the chicken's black pepper-heavy breading shone through every bite. I wouldn't have been opposed to pickles, lettuce or slaw, but I had zero complaints about this stunner. That said, I didn't enjoy the fries at all, so I'd get this with adobo rice next time around. Learn more You'll Never Guess Meghan Markle's Nostalgic, Go-To Taco Bell Order
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
It's Official: McDonald's Snack Wraps Are Making a Long-Awaited Return to Menus This Summer
Much like your first love, you never forget a discontinued fast food item. (For instance, not a day goes by that I don't long for the warm embrace of a Spicy Chicken Crunchwrap Supreme from Taco Bell—RIP, friend.) The most collectively missed menu staple, though, is no doubt the McDonald's Snack Wrap. If you're one of the thousands of people who petitioned for its resurrection, you're in luck: McDonald's just announced that they're making a comeback this summer. The fast food chain shared a no-frills screenshot of a post from the McDonald's X account to Instagram that reads 'snack wrap 07.10.2025' this morning. The caption was simple too: 'got emotional typing this. snack wrap is back 07.10.25.' Snack Wraps initially hit menus in 2006. After a ten-year reign, they were pulled from most U.S. stores. While their permanent (yes, permanent!) return is undeniably exciting for the masses, the selection is a bit different this time. Formerly, they were available with crispy or grilled chicken and either ranch or honey mustard dressing. Now, they'll only come crispy—with one McCrispy Strip, to be exact—and with spicy or ranch dressing. They'll still have shredded lettuce, shredded cheese and a flour tortilla like they did before. McDonald's I had the pleasure of tasting the new-and-improved McCrispy Strips in April when they launched, so I can vouch for the chicken in the new wraps. I was kind of shocked by how juicy and tender the meat was, especially since I had them delivered. As for the breading, it was very crisp and well-seasoned. It wasn't excessively salty, and it was slightly oniony and black pepper-forward. I was a crispy ranch Snack Wrap girl back in the day, so I can't wait to taste it again on July 10. I'm excited to try the spicy iteration too, made with the same habanero-kissed sauce that comes on the Spicy McCrispy chicken sandwich. Now, if only they'd bring back my beloved strawberry sundae… This Fast Food Chain Makes the Best Burgers (and You're Sleeping on Them)
