Cyber Incident Victim: McDonald's
Date:
Dec 2016
Location:
United States of America
Summary
A McDonald's drive-thru intercom system in New Bern, North Carolina, was compromised when an unauthorized individual accessed its wireless frequency, replacing standard order confirmation messages with vulgar audio statements referencing unsanitary food handling practices. The incident, captured on video by a customer, prompted the franchise owner to collaborate with local law enforcement in an investigation while implementing preventive measures to avoid recurrence. The breach caused disruption to normal operations and customer experience at the affected location, though the specific method of intrusion remained unclear. Management emphasized their commitment to restoring positive customer interactions following the isolated event.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 1 motive | 1 technique |
| Threat Actors | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0 actors | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
On December 4, 2016, customers utilizing the drive-thru service at a McDonald’s franchise in New Bern, North Carolina, encountered disruptive interference during their ordering process. Instead of receiving the establishment’s standard confirmation message after placing food orders, patrons heard an unauthorized voice transmitting vulgar statements through the intercom system. The explicit audio included claims that the speaker was using a toilet while preparing orders, refusing to wash hands, and threatening to arbitrarily distribute food items with profane language. One customer documented the incident by recording a video that captured the aberrant audio transmission, providing tangible evidence of the breach. Employees at the location promptly notified franchise owner Bill Purcell about the irregularity upon discovering that the drive-thru’s wireless frequency-based intercom system had been compromised. The intrusion disrupted normal operations at the affected restaurant during the incident, though the exact duration of the interference and number of impacted customers remained unspecified in initial reports.
Purcell collaborated with the New Bern Police Department to investigate the breach, publicly confirming the incident on December 5, 2016. In his statement, he emphasized the franchise’s commitment to customer experience and community relations while characterizing the event as an isolated occurrence. Although technical specifics regarding the attack vector and perpetrator methodology were not disclosed, the franchise owner acknowledged implementing preventive measures to avoid recurrence. The incident drew attention due to its unconventional nature, contrasting with more common digital intrusions targeting advertising displays or information systems. No additional operational disruptions, data compromises, or financial consequences beyond the immediate service interruption were reported in available accounts of the event.