Concerns raised over cockroach and maggot infestations at Broadmeadow McDonald’s

7 January 2025

The McDonald’s restaurant in Broadmeadow, Newcastle, NSW, Australia is under scrutiny following shocking reports of alleged cockroach and maggot infestations within the store. Disturbing images sent to Newy 87.8 showed a cockroach wriggling around inside the hot chips warmer, while a pile of maggots was pictured on cleaning equipment nearby. Additional images of cockroaches were also captured in various other parts of the restaurant. Newy 87.8 verified the authenticity of the photos by examining the GPS metadata directly on the device used to capture the shocking images.

Newy 87.8 spoke to a customer in the car park earlier today who abandoned his meal entirely after viewing the video. “I couldn’t be fu**ed going back in, I’m already late, and that video has ruined my dinner,” he said as he drove off.

The images came months after McDonald’s faced global backlash in 2024 when a staff member at another store was photographed drying a dirty mop in a fries warmer. In this latest case, further concerns have been raised about inadequate maintenance practices at the Broadmeadow location, including reports that staff are forced to clear drainage blockages by hand while kneeling on flooded floors.

For patrons, the restaurant may appear newly refurbished, but these reports paint a grim picture behind the scenes. The sight of a cockroach rolling around in the oil and salt mixture of the fries warmer has even prompted some to jokingly refer to “cockroach-seasoned fries” in comments circulating online.

Attempts to contact McDonald’s head office in St Leonards for comment were unsuccessful, with calls not being transferred to the media department earlier today. A response from the company is still pending.

Separately, Newcastle police continue to investigate an unrelated robbery at the same restaurant in the early hours of Tuesday, 7 January 2025, when a man allegedly stole cash from the register before fleeing the scene. While this incident has grabbed headlines, it is the hygiene concerns that are now dominating local discussions.