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McDonald's is closing hundreds of restaurants this year
Fortune Magazine via MSN ^ | 04-22-15 | Phil Wahba

Posted on 04/22/2015 7:33:17 PM PDT by Hugin

For instance, earlier in April the company announced it is testing out a larger, pricier, third-of-a-pound burger for $5, two years after dropping the similar Angus burger line because they were too pricey for McDonald’s diners. Despite that earlier failure, new CEO Steve Easterbrook expressed confidence his customers would go for premium burgers.

“I often describe McDonald’s as possibly the most democratic -- with a small ‘d’ -- brand in the world,” he said. “And what customers love the world over, and none more so than here in the U.S., is how they can buy into aspirational quality products, but at a McDonald’s price.”

But he faces an uphill battle in winning over the millions of burger-eaters in the U.S. that have a dim view of McDonald’s offerings: Nation’s Restaurant News published a survey this month rating 111 limited-service chains on 10 attributes including food quality, and McDonald’s was ranked No. 110, ahead only of Chuck E. Cheese. In-N-Out Burger topped the list.

(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: closing; hundreds; mcdonalds; restaurants
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To: PAR35

Up until the early 1990s....McDonalds had the best fries of any chain operation. Then, they did something and the ‘magic’ was gone. When I do walk into a McDonalds today....I only order a soda and a burger. The fries simply aren’t worth eating.


101 posted on 04/22/2015 9:41:08 PM PDT by pepsionice
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To: Jeff Chandler

I had Tommy’s a long time ago and it was gooooood. I wish I can have one now, but I have to go a long way.

I ate a couple of location. I think one was at the original location and the other one was near Magic Mountain.


102 posted on 04/22/2015 9:46:22 PM PDT by moviefan8
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To: sheikdetailfeather

I like Steak and Shake, too.


103 posted on 04/22/2015 9:47:11 PM PDT by kalee
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To: sheikdetailfeather

Yes, I like Steak n Shake, their chili is very good also.


104 posted on 04/22/2015 9:55:18 PM PDT by Impala64ssa (You call me an islamophobe like it's a bad thing.)
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To: Jeff Chandler
Tommy's Da*n right. Would make early runs from the San Gabriel Valley just for some Chili love.
105 posted on 04/22/2015 10:00:27 PM PDT by Captain Compassion
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To: Impala64ssa

I like the Frisco melt.


106 posted on 04/22/2015 10:02:12 PM PDT by kalee
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To: Hugin

I make a home made pastrami that rocks. It’s not hard.


107 posted on 04/22/2015 10:15:58 PM PDT by ebshumidors
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To: moviefan8; Captain Compassion

Beverly and Rampart, where burgers were perfected.


108 posted on 04/22/2015 10:19:19 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (Doctrine doesn't change. The trick is to find a way around it.)
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To: VideoDoctor

Interesting. But that wouldn’t explain the dried-out, tasteless steak at the diner and the asbestos sesame beef from the Chinese place. No, it’s something in the meat itself, not an additive.


109 posted on 04/22/2015 10:23:53 PM PDT by firebrand
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To: Hugin
The only way for McD's to compete, in my opinion, is to simplify the menu to 20 or 30 items and bring wait times back to a few minutes. They can also automate more -- if you have on your menu just: hamburger, cheeseburger, fries (one size), big Mac, quarter pounder, McChicken, filet-o-fish, apple slices, salad-vegetarian, salad-nonvegetarian, chicken nuggets, bottled water, orange juice (one size), coke (1 size refil), sprite (1 size refill), coffee, tea, iced coffee, smoothies (2 varieties, standard size), vnilla cone, hut fudge sundae, strawberry sundae, flurry; apple pie, egg mcmuffin, sausage-egg mcmuffin, big breakfast, hot cakes,

Instead you have this monstrous menu

they could also automate the order menu -- put touch screens at different places so people could order on their own and pay by card or cash. They could also automate more of the "cooking".

110 posted on 04/22/2015 10:37:01 PM PDT by Cronos (ObamaÂ’s dislike of Assad is not based on AssadÂ’s brutality but that he isn't a jihadi Moslem)
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To: firebrand

I have noticed everywhere that companies (and families) are trying to make ends meet by buying a lower grade of beef. It means it’s chewer and less flavor.

Also, noticed shoppers buying poor cuts of meat. I used to blame this on the massive influx of Mexicans since their butchers don’t cut meat the way we do. Now, I’m wondering if it has to do with saving money. A different cut is not the same, it’s stringy, chewy and is better for (Mexican soups and stews) that req hire long cooking.

As a result, I am devoting more of my diet to vegetarian dishes, eggplant parmigiana, ravioli, etc. it’s cheaper and I have more control over quality.


111 posted on 04/22/2015 10:40:56 PM PDT by BunnySlippers (I Love Bull Markets!!!)
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To: Hugin
They can't compete for taste with the newer brands that cost more. They can't compete for health. They can't compete for customisation with Subway, Chiquita etc. But what they can compete on is location, standard quality (which they had), and quick and fast and cheap yet value-for-money

By reducing the menu, automating more, they can achieve this. If they had automated menu takers and automated much of the burger making process, they would need a much lesser staff (mostly washroom cleaners) and they would get more people in and out.

112 posted on 04/22/2015 10:43:53 PM PDT by Cronos (ObamaÂ’s dislike of Assad is not based on AssadÂ’s brutality but that he isn't a jihadi Moslem)
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To: Jeff Chandler

24 hours a day. I drive by at 4:30 AM on my way to work in LA. I’m on NY time ....

I’m tempted to stop but I always come to my senses.


113 posted on 04/22/2015 10:44:21 PM PDT by BunnySlippers (I Love Bull Markets!!!)
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To: American Constitutionalist

Hardees & Carl Jr bake their own buns in-house, for their premium burgers. It does make a difference.

Mark


114 posted on 04/22/2015 10:51:21 PM PDT by MarkL (Do I really look like a guy with a plan?)
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To: Hugin

Now that the government has told us “never mind” about all their anti-cholesterol propaganda (which they are still running on radio stations everywhere), McDonald’s should bring back the fries cooked in beef tallow, and real beef in the burgers, etc.


115 posted on 04/22/2015 10:52:35 PM PDT by Arthur McGowan
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To: Mastador1
Yes.

If you go into any McDs or Jack in the Box, or Burger King, or whatever fast food place, notice that you virtually NEVER see a burger actually being fried on a grill.

The patties are taken from a "warmer" and placed on a bun.

God knows WHEN the so-called "burgers" were actually cooked, or how.

Probably microwaved and flash frozen, then sent cross-country to the restaurants for a good thawing.

Even Wendy's has given up on Hot 'N Juicy.

More like overcooked and dry as a bone.

That's why Five Guys and In and Out burger are top sellers.

The majority of fast food restaurants are simply creating crappy quality product.

No surprise they are starting to fail.

116 posted on 04/22/2015 10:54:03 PM PDT by boop (Hey, stoop, that's got gears. It ain't no Ford.)
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To: Hugin

they were overpriced crap at 13 cents or $1/dozen 70 years ago and they are still overpriced crap.


117 posted on 04/22/2015 10:58:58 PM PDT by dalereed
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To: Shadowstrike

In the last several years they are really skimping on the “special sauce” in the Big Mac burgers.


118 posted on 04/22/2015 11:00:29 PM PDT by Rockpile
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To: Mr Rogers
I don't think MCD was ever about "best quality", but it was consistent quality across all of their chains. The recent problem is the changes in quality/taste of products has diminished. Couple this with the experience, focus on different demographics, and we arrive where we are now.

They need leadership, not the corp-speak of "aspirational" quality.

119 posted on 04/22/2015 11:09:32 PM PDT by HonkyTonkMan
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To: Hugin

If they want customers to return, roll back the menu, ingredients, and cooking technique to 1961.

Problem solved.


120 posted on 04/22/2015 11:18:32 PM PDT by Up Yours Marxists
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