McDonald's has an app for that

McDonald’s McD App lets customers place orders and receive information about deals and special events.

McDonald’s on Monday expanded the places where its smartphone app, McD App, can be used to order meals. But we in the Chicago area will have to wait awhile longer.

The Oak Brook-based fast-food giant added the greater Sacramento area and northern Nevada to the growing list of areas where customers can order via smartphone and be notified of food and drink deals.

The app also works in San Francisco area, Oregon, western and southwest Washington, the St. Louis metro area, New England, and Albany, NY. A version of the app that lets customers pay via smartphone is being tested in Salt Lake City and Austin, Texas, FastCompany.com reports.

Mobile ordering is a top draw for restaurant apps but RestaurantApps.org says businesses like them for building brand loyalty and surveying customers too.

Restaurants have been slow to take to the technology, Forbes.com says, but some restaurants are experimenting with digital at-table ordering and checkout and placing orders via Facebook.

The so-far limited area where the McD App works and lack of a payment feature has left it open for criticism. Businessweek.com in December called the app “the digital version of fliers in the mail or supermarket circulars.”