I'd love to say its location, location, location. Sadly, in my experience it's the shift. Crack of dawn on my routes, food is fresh, hot & service is excellent. Heading home, stopping at same store when afternoon rush is almost over. Food is cold, including the fries. Service is slow and the employees are surly. The difference between the shifts...early morning the employees are older, the afternoon shift are teenagers with a manager who isn't much older.
I could live with cruddy food and service, but now they don't care about the lavatories. Years ago as a travel agent I was confident telling my clients they could find a clean restroom anywhere a McD's was located in the world. Now finding a clean lavatory that is properly stocked is next to impossible on my routes in TX.
I've mentioned it to employees a couple of times. The answer has generally been..What do you want me to do about it & the manager on duty backed them up.
And McD's continues to change up the menu, when they should focus on service and cleanliness.
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!