Former McDonald's worker shares secrets from behind-the-scenes and answers most common questions

Ever wondered what really goes on behind-the-scenes at one of the UK's biggest fast-food restaurants? From why the milkshake machine is never on to the secret ingredients that are added to the burgers, one ex-employee has spilled the beans on what really goes on.

Hull Live reporter Emily Johnson worked at two different McDonald's branches in Salford and Grimsby over two years while studying at university, and now she has gone public to clear up some of the most common misconceptions about what takes place behind the drive-thru window.

Although McDonald's eateries in the UK are normally divided into franchises, with their own set of rules and goals, Emily's inside knowledge is likely common to most - having worked at two different ones - but she says may not apply to all.

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Take a look below at the most common questions Emily gets asked as a former McDonald's worker.

Emily says: "There isn't a secret menu per se but two unusual requests stick out that aren't on the menu. Every so often a customer would come in and ask for a pot of pickles on their own – usually a pregnant woman with cravings!

"Depending on which employees are serving, some will give it out for free, others may charge 99p or say a flat-out no. There is also a hack in which customers ask for a double cheeseburger dressed as a Big Mac. All the additions of lettuce and Big Mac sauce are free, you get the same amount of meat, and it is also half the price."

According to Emily, this question does not have one straight answer, but in her experience, it's usually been due to the following reasons:

"It goes in the bin, unfortunately," Emily revealed. "But we would try to be