10 things McDonald's must do to get its house in order

USA Today ^ | 12-12-2002 | Bruce Horovitz

[Cagey]

The Golden Arches aren't going away. And poor Ronald McDonald will continue to muster a smile.

McDonald's in Hinsdale, Ill., looks cheery, but the chain has problems.

But with a new CEO on tap, just about everything else at McDonald's (MCD) is on the table. Or, perhaps, soon could be flying off the table.

[Fury]

Good thread.

I don't understand McD's philosophy. A couple of years ago I was driving through Arizona and I stopped and ordered a 20 piece McNugget. I asked for Hot Mustard sauce and instead of the containers where you peel off the top and dip the McNugget, I was given the sauce in the same type of packages that you tear open and squirt extra ketchup onto a burger. I said to the lady behind the counter "How am I supposed to dip my McNugget while I am driving? I'll go off the road!". She just shrugged her shoulders.

I'd rather pay full price for a good burger. Around Western New York, there is Tom Wahl's and also Bill Gray's. I like Tom Wahl's the best. It's good, it's a bit pricey - but it's done RIGHT. Tim Horton's is OK as well.

[rabbitdog]

Here in E'ville McD's revamped a few of the local restaurants. They are now called McD's Diner. You can order actual plate dinners with vegs and all. They also have a selection of nice desserts. It's a '50's style diner where there is a phone at each booth to call your order in. Waiters and waitresses were very nice and seating area was clean. Obviously, a desparate attempt to change a dying reputation. The first day the diner was open it was packed for hours....for days. Must be going over well.
On another note....does anyone remember the old McD's song that went something like this.....
"McDonalds is your kind of place,
Can't find a parking place,
Squirt ketchup in your face,
McDonalds is your kinds of place."
There's more but I can't remember the whole thing. And I can't remember if this was something we made up or if it was a nationally known song. It was way back in the '70's when I first remember hearing that song. My kids laugh when I sing it.

[woofie]

Bring on the "Chocolate Mc Moose" and "Mc Pheasant Under Glass"...also "French Fried Canapé's" and "Brandy AlexanDew"

[buffyt]

Yes! In & Out Burgers! Just moved back to S. Texas from LA. We already miss those late night burger raids! YUM!

[buffyt]

Our In N Out burger in Claremont, Ca had tables outside. And they were almost always packed! YUM!

[Richard Kimball]

2. Quit naming EVERY product McSomething for cring out McLoud.

Oh, well, I guess that kills off my idea. "McSushi"

[JoeA]

One word: Hooters..

Isn't that two? Words, I mean.

[Myrddin]

McDonald's Dollar menu has nearly put Burger King out of business. Frankly, I prefer food that is cooked AFTER I order it. I decided to eat at Burger King about 3 weeks ago. It was the first time in almost 18 months. Big mistake. Major league food poisoning. They pre-cook the burgers early in the day and re-warm them. McDonald's generally tosses burgers in the 'bad meat' bin when they are over 18 minutes old. Fast food isn't a good deal if you spend all day and all night on the pot with explosive gastroenteritis. I have never had that experience from food at McDonald's or Jack in the Box. Both places cook the food AFTER you order it.

[MississippiMan]

Interesting. I remember working at McDonald's twenty-five years ago. The place was spotless. If you dared to be anything other than primo-courteous to a customer, you were fired. You got their order to them in a limited time (don't remember how many minutes) or their order was free. It was a very disciplined place to work with common sayings like, "If you've got time to lean, you've got time to clean." "You got time to gripe? You got time to wipe!" It was all about doing it right and making the customer feel special and satisfied.

Now when I go to McDonald's, I'm resigned to a ridiculous wait, employees who wouldn't dream of even saying "thank you," much less act genuinely nice, the places are filthy more often than not, and they mess up my order nearly every time. Very sad, and also not limited to McDonald's by a long shot.

MM

[buffyt]

WHAT?????? We have been with Dow Chem since 1973.

[buffyt]

I LOVE that creamy thick mayo they serve with the fries in Belgium and Holland!!!! It is like homemade mayo.

[Billy_bob_bob]

The version I remember goes....

"McDonald's is your kind of place,

they feed you rattlesnakes.

Hamburgers up your nose,

French Fries between your toes.

And don't forget those triple shakes,

made from polluted lakes.

McDonald's is my kind of place."

That's how I remember it anyway, the version kids were singing in Southern California back in the late 60's.

God I hope I don't get sued or something. It's humor, laywers. Parody. Protected speech! Comedy. Deal with it!

[jwh_Denver]

WHAT?????? We have been with Dow Chem since 1973.

Really? I thought it was made by Uranus Corp and maybe McFudge needed a new supplier.??

[185JHP]

Ditto my "McQuiche."

[NYCVirago]

Bring back the heat lamps and styrofoam Big Mac containers!!

Agreed -- back in the day when they had both of those things, the cheese on the Big Mac melted just fine.

[Springman]

Never had a Halo burger, my brother got me hooked on Tony's
when he live in that way. I'll have to give it a try. However
I will have my 1# BLT!! Or half and nible on the bacon while my wife shops.

[lavaroise]

Something as simple as piping classic rock music into McDonald's could improve the ambience.

I hate music at the restaurant, let alone classic rock Argh!!! You don't need more stress in life. they should make the place quieter with foam walls. Adding music is insane.

[AlexW]

I also loved Krystals. In my college days they were a nickle...seven cents, with cheese...yummie :)))
We would buy them by the sackfull.
They were only a hundred yards from my "racist" (haha) frat house (Kappa Sigma) at Univ. of TN.

[ncpastor]

We used to call it "Burger Death"

[Wolfie]

Going to McDonalds (and most other fast food joints) is like going to the DMV. Who needs the aggravation?