As a quick summary, essentially, McDonald’s and the maker of the very particular model of ice cream machine used in every store in the county have an exclusive deal with one another. This contract (conveniently) requires technicians from the ice cream machine manufacturer to come out and fix the machine when it “breaks”. The clear conflict of interest and potential for abuse has led to the scourge of broken McDonald’s ice cream machines around the country.
But as a follow-up from that story, the Federal Trade Commission is now
investigating the matter, the first sign the core of the issue may be solved! Let’s hope any potential antitrust suit brought is more substantial and less confused than the FTC’s suit against Facebook
refiled in August.