I'm sure most McDonald's Operators are numb to it but I still find it astounding that McDonald's Corp got rid of so many experienced operations people and is now out on
the street trying to replace them with people with zero McDonald's experience and immediately thrusting them into operations positions.
Case in point - the Chicago field office just promoted or hired six new people to be
"Operations Associates". Two are experienced McDonald's people. The other four are
from off the street. One from Panera, one from Starbucks, one is a former Firehouse
Subs franchisee, and one from Berlin Packaging.
Rumor has it that the Denver Field Office is busy hiring Burger King people.
I guess if the decision makers at the top have so little experience with McDonald's they
don't know the value of a team with deep experience.
Also, the job description for an Operations Associate is "Offer expertise in tools and
resources for restaurant operations (shift management)".
How long does it take for a person off the street to become an operations resource for McDonald's Operators? A year? Two? Three years?
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September 29, 2018
September 27, 2018
September 26, 2018
McDonald's Switches to Cleaner Cheese, Buns
"He said the costs to the chain are “minimal” and that menu prices won’t be raised."
McDonald's Switches to Cleaner Cheese, Buns in Latest Menu Scrub - Bloomberg
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McDonald's Switches to Cleaner Cheese, Buns in Latest Menu Scrub - Bloomberg
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September 25, 2018
September 24, 2018
September 23, 2018
McMisleading Advertising
I recently visited a McDonald's store in a market that does not offer McDelivery. Yet, the
P.O.P. for Glazed Chicken Tenders mentions McDelivery. What's up with that?
Takes me back to 2009 when OPNAD launched nationwide advertising for McCafe when
less than two-thirds of the stores in the country had the product. Will OPNAD be just as premature when they advertise McDelivery?
Many Operators think this blunder hurt the success of McCafe.
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LYFE Kitchen Almost DEAD
Interesting because:
1) LYFE was founded by two former McDonald's execs, Mike Roberts and Mike Donahue.
2) More proof that no matter what surveys, focus groups, and politicians say, consumers
want tasty, filling food. Chains that don't offer such are doomed to fail.
Carlisle Corp. sells off struggling LYFE Kitchen
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1) LYFE was founded by two former McDonald's execs, Mike Roberts and Mike Donahue.
2) More proof that no matter what surveys, focus groups, and politicians say, consumers
want tasty, filling food. Chains that don't offer such are doomed to fail.
Carlisle Corp. sells off struggling LYFE Kitchen
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September 21, 2018
September 20, 2018
September 19, 2018
Who Controls the Morality of McDonald's Commercials?
This commercial is awful (and a little perverted)
Never mix grandmas with lust in ads for a family restaurant.
This McDonald's commercial is great
Good use of humor and family fun.
Since McDonald's Operators pay for McDonald's television advertising - do they no longer have any input on what's aired?
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Another Restaurant Company That No Longer Wants to Be in the Restaurant Business
Steak 'n Shake copying the Chick Fil A licensing model.
The Burger Gold Rush is On at Steak 'n Shake - QSR mag
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The Burger Gold Rush is On at Steak 'n Shake - QSR mag
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September 18, 2018
September 17, 2018
McDonald's Shares Have Not Had a Good Year
McDonald's Shares Go Rancid - TheStreet
The above article includes a short video of Wendy's CEO talking about kiosks, mobile
ordering, and drive-thru.
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The above article includes a short video of Wendy's CEO talking about kiosks, mobile
ordering, and drive-thru.
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September 15, 2018
Trading Spaces
I recently talked with a former McDonald's Operator who commented that, when pulling into a McDonald's parking lot, he gets the impression that McDonald's is doing everything to keep customers from parking and dining in the restaurant. He was referring to all the signs advertising McDelivery, mobile ordering, and curbside pickup. I hadn't looked at it that way but I have noticed these initiatives appear to be eating up the parking stalls most convenient to the entrance to the restaurant.
Soon after my news-feed picked up an article from the Netherlands about a deal to install charging stations at 168 McDonald's. Most businesses tend to install these facilities in the most visible spot on the property and that's usually near the entrance, often next to the ADA required parking.
Less convenient parking sends more customers to the drive-thru and hopefully not to the competitor next door who probably has parking right in front of the door. In theory this makes it harder to justify dining room upgrades and kiosks.
September 14, 2018
September 13, 2018
Eating Habits Are Changing Faster than QSRs Can Keep Up
If only McDonald's had an attribute that made it more attractive than cooking at home.
Wait! Fast service could, but McDonald's leadership is going in the other direction.
Fast Food Races to Meet Americans’ Growing Demand to Eat at Home - Bloomberg
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Wait! Fast service could, but McDonald's leadership is going in the other direction.
Fast Food Races to Meet Americans’ Growing Demand to Eat at Home - Bloomberg
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September 12, 2018
September 11, 2018
Is McDonald's USA Slowing Service Benefiting Competitors?
Sonic stock surges on improved traffic
From comment below, "Of course there is nobody left in McDonald’s operations who even knows that there are lines in the cups, even if they happened to notice the lines they certainly don’t know what they are for. Even if they know what they are for they don’t know why."
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From comment below, "Of course there is nobody left in McDonald’s operations who even knows that there are lines in the cups, even if they happened to notice the lines they certainly don’t know what they are for. Even if they know what they are for they don’t know why."
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September 10, 2018
Article About New Franchises With Nice Ray Kroc Qoute
"Franchisors cannot be successful if they think that it's only them who should make money. Ray Kroc knew that franchising could only work if the franchisees made money along with
the franchisor."
Restaurant Franchisors Must Build Relationships With Their Franchisees
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the franchisor."
Restaurant Franchisors Must Build Relationships With Their Franchisees
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September 8, 2018
What Happened to Tim Hortons?
Or, how a restaurant conglomerate can acquire, and destroy, a smaller chain.
The downfall of Canada's brand - The Guardian
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September 7, 2018
September 6, 2018
Will McDonald's Upend Dunkin' Brands' Menu Strategy?
Analyst writes "Ultimately, franchisees determine to what depth value platforms extend."
Really ???
Dunkin will win through "simplification"
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Really ???
Dunkin will win through "simplification"
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September 5, 2018
Wide Gulf Between Average and High Frequency Diners
High-frequency customers are first to notice, and first to be turned off by, slow service.
Wide Gulf Between Average, High Frequency Diners - Franchise Times
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Wide Gulf Between Average, High Frequency Diners - Franchise Times
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McDonald's Operator Comment of the Day
Modern and progressive would include the company “investing” into O/O’s ability to attract and retain higher quality people. Our business model DOES NOT support the salaries needed to compete with Chic, Hobby Lobby, Buccees gas stations.
If they’re so interested in modern and progressive and attracting and retaining the best available they’re going to have to allow us to play on a level field. We just can’t offer the pay and benefits others do, no room. These “investments” like college tuition etc sound great but we are busy making note payments and paying rent/service fees and shouldering more annual expenses every year.
I don’t recall a mebtion of 2% food cost (as a %of sales) at the gallery walk. We were unprepared for this and it isn’t getting better.
I can’t pay $14/hr with full benefits like the guys mentioned do so we usually get those who others don’t want. Oh, and at business reviews we get to explain why our turnover is so high? Hell, I’m losing 20+yr vets who *were* lifers. They’re tired of unrealistic demands and irrational field service idiots with less experience keeping them on the defensive.
The whole thing is broken. Leadership is running out of people to blame, they fired those who might have helped.
They are obsessed with analytics, their own tell a pretty compelling story.
We will see if the next bunch lives in reality, I predict these guys will soon see the door. Their own obsession will be their undoing.
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If they’re so interested in modern and progressive and attracting and retaining the best available they’re going to have to allow us to play on a level field. We just can’t offer the pay and benefits others do, no room. These “investments” like college tuition etc sound great but we are busy making note payments and paying rent/service fees and shouldering more annual expenses every year.
I don’t recall a mebtion of 2% food cost (as a %of sales) at the gallery walk. We were unprepared for this and it isn’t getting better.
I can’t pay $14/hr with full benefits like the guys mentioned do so we usually get those who others don’t want. Oh, and at business reviews we get to explain why our turnover is so high? Hell, I’m losing 20+yr vets who *were* lifers. They’re tired of unrealistic demands and irrational field service idiots with less experience keeping them on the defensive.
The whole thing is broken. Leadership is running out of people to blame, they fired those who might have helped.
They are obsessed with analytics, their own tell a pretty compelling story.
We will see if the next bunch lives in reality, I predict these guys will soon see the door. Their own obsession will be their undoing.
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September 4, 2018
Clever Diversity Prank
I'm sure if I was this restaurant's Operator I'd find this irritating but it's actually pretty funny.
This Fake Promotional Poster Hung in a McDonald’s for Over a 50 Days
This Fake Promotional Poster Hung in a McDonald’s for Over a 50 Days
