Fast food giants McDonald’s and Burger King have rejected allegations made by a courier that they deny drivers the right to use in-store restroom facilities, saying their policies are guided by practicality and compassion.

Two of Malta’s best-known fast food chains have spoken out after a food courier publicly accused several restaurants – Hermanos, McDonald’s, Burger King, and KFC – of refusing him access to bathroom facilities.

The claims were made in a Facebook post by a courier on the ‘Expats Malta’ group, which has since sparked a heated debate about how food couriers are treated on the job. The courier recounted being denied access to the toilet at a Hermanos outlet in Birkirkara and went on to allege that “even McDonald’s, Burger King and KFC they close the bathroom.”

The social media post posted by the courier

When contacted by WhosWho.mt, Burger King Malta, operated by Food Chain Ltd, firmly denied the allegation.

“As Food Chain Ltd, we do not oppose patrons or possible future patrons from using our public toilets,” said Gordon Naudi, General Manager at Food Chain Ltd. “In fact, for us, couriers are an extension of our staff since they provide a service to the company.”

"It just boils down to compassion. Everybody, at some point, needs to use a restroom outside their domicile, so I do not believe one should discriminate in allowing any third-country national or EU national who is in need to use the restroom urgently," Mr Naudi adds. 

He explained that bathrooms are secured by a code, which is either printed on a receipt or can be provided by staff upon request. “We’ve never received complaints and have always allowed both Bolt and Wolt couriers to use the public restrooms,” he adds.

McDonald’s Malta also clarified its position.

“At McDonald’s, we value the important role our delivery channel plays in our business,” a company spokesperson says. “New or recently refurbished restaurants feature dedicated areas for drivers where space allows, with water and charging points available.”

Restrooms that are not access-controlled are open to everyone, including couriers, and in restaurants where toilet access is managed through a receipt code system, this is done to maintain cleanliness and security, the company adds.

Hermanos, whose refusal triggered the original complaint, initially claimed in a social media post that whenever food couriers were allowed to use the restaurant bathrooms, staff were left cleaning up a scene like “Chernobyl.” The post went on to read that the courier is a "part-time drama queen."

The local fast-food chain has since issued a public statement for its earlier comments, stating that without food couriers, Hermanos will not be "where it is today". 

“Yes, I know – sometimes the toilets are left in bad condition. It’s frustrating, it’s not ok, and it’s something we need to address. But it doesn’t justify a loss of empathy. We can be firm without being arrogant. We can lead without disrecpect,” added the statement, signed off by the company's CEO, Vincenzo Rapisarda.

The restaurant chain has not yet responded to requests for comment at the time of publishing.

The incident has raised wider questions about the rights and treatment of delivery workers, particularly those working long shifts in peak conditions with limited access to basic amenities.