McDonald's is closing hundreds of restaurants this year

Fortune Magazine via MSN ^ | 04-22-15 | Phil Wahba

[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.

[Rome2000]

On the BRIGHT SIDE, they have nowhere to go but up!

On the other hand, this cricket playing BRITISH blue blood is a strange choice to be CEO.

99.1 percent of Americans have no idea what aspirational quality means, but do know that what they get for 10 bucks at MCD is not what they get at “Whataburger”

Good luck to Easterbrook, sincerely hoping he turns it around.

Time to bring back the hamburglar.

[wally_bert]

I’m partial to smashburger.

[laplata]

And here in Texas, in addition we have What-a-Burger.

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With plenty of Green Chile. Great burgers.

[max americana]

I will admit, I go to McD’s for the $1 giant drink which is also refillable LOL. I know a couple of guys in my line of work who actually wash the cup and come back the next day to refill, no joke. One of them just buys 3 MCChicken’s for $1.19 each so his lunch would be not even $4.

[Hugin]

I always thought the Big Mac is horrible. Way overpriced breadburger. Try a Big Carl sometime and see what it should be.

[Rome2000]

LOL

You’re either brilliant or retarded.

Either way, great post!

[logitech]

All McD has to do is make a good burger and fries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR9ZO7hkmRM

[FatherofFive]

stop changing the ingredient to cater to anti-fat crowd and making your food taste horrible

But they last forever!

[American Constitutionalist]

Anyone remember the old Gino’s Giant ?

Or the White Coffee Pot Collosal Burger ?

Hardies Big Deluxe ? ( they still make them )

[Don Corleone]

“In-N-Out Burger topped the list.”

The best in the west and my understanding is the lady that is the CEO is one of the wealthiest women in America.

[TontoKowalski]

I don't want to add on to the "black demographic" thing, because I think it's more of a "thug demographic." It seems like ours has cop cars with sirens going in the parking lot much of the time.

I don't go because the food is poor quality. They'll never get me back.

My sons and his friends (19-24)... I'd think that would be a prime target market for fast food... they won't eat there because of the clientele. All those videos that keep making the rounds of ghetto brawls don't help.

[SamAdams76]

There are a lot of great places where you can get a great hamburger and a beer. In fact, just last night, I was out at Miller's Alehouse in Long Island. Got to watch some of the New York Islander's game and eat at the bar like a human being.

[crz]

Around bouts where I have been I see a lot of folks returning to the local pubs and restaurants.

[PAR35]

If I want a premium burger, I’ll go to 5 guys, or Smashburger, or Mooyah or Scotty P’s or Chips. Super premium Red Robin. Full price In-n-Out, Whataburger. Burger King, Jack in a Box, Carl’s, or Krystal.

McDonald’s is better off competing on price than they are on product. They might try restoring flavor to their fries.

[American Constitutionalist]

Saw a cartoon of this doctor talking to this decrepit, tired, old looking man in his office saying “ Remember those years they say that we could add to our lives if we ate right, didn’t smoke, exercised ? Well these are them “....

[barmag25]

The best places are the mom and pop shops. We have plenty around my area. Nothing beats a fresh hand patted burger.

The best chain restraunt in the south is quickly becoming Five guys.

[GOPJ]

That’s their biggest problem - they kowtow to liberal elites who wouldn’t eat there if their lives depended on it.

[TontoKowalski]

I love family-owned restaurants. I am greeted with a smile, ushered to a table (or politely told that I can sit where I like), and have a wonderful fresh hamburger made to my exact specifications.

Most times, it's not a whole lot more than what you'd pay at McD's. I think it's only possible appeal is that it's open late at night to serve drive-thru drunks.

[Cry if I Wanna]

The only thing that I still love is the Sausage McMuffin with egg. Yum!!

[max americana]

I hope so. With the amount of money I spent there last week, she deserves it.