Everything Everywhere Daily · Tuesday, September 29, 2026
McDonald's implemented a rigorous supply chain strategy, working directly with farmers and dictating everything from seed selection to irrigation schedules. This meticulous control extended to potato processing for fries and beef patty freezing, ensuring a standardized, high-quality product across all locations nationwide.
“McDonald's partnered directly with multi-generational farming families at companies like Lamb Weston and J.R. Simplot.”
“Rather than buying generic commodities off the open market, McDonald's guided their farmers as corporate agronomists dictated seed selection, soil composition, and precise irrigation schedules.”
“To maintain quality, they bred potatoes for high solid to water ratios, aged them in controlled atmosphere storage to normalize natural sugar levels, and partially fried them before flash freezing.”
“This process ensured that every french fry from coast to coast at McDonald's would be of similar quality.”