Posted on 05/08/2015 10:29:16 AM PDT by YourAdHere
We usually hate it when media speculate about whether a celebrity has had a nip or tuck, but it must be said: The Hamburglar has definitely had some work done.
McDonald's on Wednesday brought the burger-stealing character back for a new advertising campaign for the first time in over a decade and he looks nothing like the short, chubby, red-haired cartoon that we here at The Salt grew up with.
Instead, he's now a tall, slim, stubble-faced dude sporting a fedora, trench coat and skinny-jeans. And it turns out he's also a suburban dad a back story revealed in this advertisement for the McDonald's new Sirloin Third Pound Burger:
The unveiling of the handsome Hamburglar comes as McDonald's struggles to reinvent itself. The 75-year-old fast-food chain is facing slumping sales, as other options for a quick bite proliferate from fast-casual fare like Chipotle, to so-called "better burger" chains like Shake Shack and Habit Burger.
This week, McDonalds CEO Steve Easterbrook unveiled a turnaround plan that involved rebranding the company as a "modern, progressive burger company."
Presumably, the new "hipster Hamburglar," as USA Today dubbed him, is part of this effort. But so far, he's generating more scorn than buzz. Slate wondered whether old Mr. "Robble Robble" isn't having some sort of midlife crisis, while the ladies over at Jezebel let loose with more lascivious musings. Meanwhile, Time is worrying about his economic prospects: why he's in the burger-burgling business, since burgers are already pretty cheap, and lose their value (and edibility) fairly quickly.
Sriram Madhusoodanan of Corporate Accountability International, a watchdog group and longtime critic of McDonald's marketing to kids, says the updated Hamburglar is "definitely a response to the fact that being so obviously associated with cartoon marketing icons has become a liability for the corporation." But, he adds, "I think there's also an element of desperation here."
Desperation, or clever marketing ploy? After all, we're here talking about it.
“I got an idea; why not make better food?”
Quit trying to ruin McDondalds!
Only in Okaloosa County it appears... :-) Looks like a fun place though (and it’s near some of the best saltwater fishing around + the best beaches).
Why can't we have a restaurant chain called "Murderer" or "Rapist"?
NPR is not a creditable source.
Mora Liason the NPR White House correspondant was observed to be asleep in her chair behind a questioner.
The footage was aired by Fox News on Brett’s group as Mora sat there seeing herself asleep.
Her extensive work is beginning to fail btw
Good food with waitresses that have huge...............smiles!.........................
It’s EDDIE CIBRAN!
Admit it. We’re all surprised the new Hamburgler isn’t a black gangsta/transgendered/gay/lesbian/multiracial/hipster
Thank you for voting!
Hello, handsome! You can butter my burger buns anytime. 16.38% (1,329 votes)
Cute, but Im still not buying your burgers. 18.52% (1,503 votes)
Creepy! I dont want that masked dude around my kids. 18.22% (1,479 votes)
Dear God, its come to this! 46.88% (3,805 votes)
Total Votes: 8,116
One word: Fuddruckers! They toast the bun, cook various sizes and types of patties to order, add cheese if required, then you build the burger from their various condiments.
Well, there's the proverbial kiss of death for the company, if I ever heard it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.