McDonald's franchisees say the brand is in a 'deep depression' and 'facing its final days'

[KamaAina]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mcdonalds-franchisees-brand-deep-depression-160253843.html

McDonald's franchisees believe the brand is in a "deep depression" and could be facing its "final days," according to a new survey.

"We are in the throes of a deep depression, and nothing is changing," one franchisee wrote in response to the survey by Nomura analyst Mark Kalinowski. "Probably 30% of operators are insolvent."

Another wrote, "The CEO is sowing the seeds of our demise. We are a quick-serve fast-food restaurant, not a fast casual like Five Guys or Chipotle. The system may be facing its final days." ...

The company's reaction to their frustration, one franchisee claimed, is for operators to "get out of the system" and quit the business.

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

[tularetom]

1. What a tragic loss that would be for America

On the other hand, McDonalds has contributed a lot to the culture.

Where else would we have come up with such descriptive phrases as "McJobs" or "McMansions"?

[enid602]

111. Monsanto

And with Monsanto having suffered reverses as of late. So tragic.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

2. Yeah, I somehow doubt they are actually in their "final days." Hyperbole, much?

They've lost a bit of their luster to the fast casual market, but last I checked they were still doing fairly well.

[unblock]

7. a dozen or so disgruntled franchisees couldn't possibly be wrong!

i hear microsoft, apple, and wal-mart are also in their final days.

christianity is also in its final days, but the true believers keep telling me that's a good thing.

[ProfessorGAC]

86. Yeah. Everything Is In Its Final Days, Right?

The whole human race, for instance.

[NJCher]

117. bravo

brilliant!


Cher

[Algernon Moncrieff]

127. How about the truth is in the middle?

They are not in their final days. They are undergoing an evolution, and I don't doubt that 25-30% of the franchisees are struggling. Couple of reasons there:

1) McDonalds grew explosively in the late 60s and 70s. In many cases, the location that was once prime is mediocre at best now.
2) McDonalds, like many of it's companion fast food franchises, has older single-store franchise owners that can't afford to rebuild or extensively remodel their aging store. Increasingly, the multiple store owners are squeezing those old players out.

What I see in McDonalds these days is a place once best known for burgers that is now best known as the place to get breakfast. For all of the wailing about McDonalds and nutrition, the Egg McMuffin in it's standard form isn't horrible for you, and while it's not Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, the McCafe coffees and lattes aren't bad and don't cause a huge drive thru wait. Another thing -- especially in rural markets: as mom-and-pop diners have fallen by the wayside, McDonalds has become the morning coffee klatch for senior citizens.

[NCjack]

3. Wal-Mart has flat earnings, now so does McDonald's. But no one thinks that

the 47% (aka by Mitt Romney as "moochers&quot is running out of money. Likes like to me that money pump is still working -- taking from the poorest and delivering to the richest.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

4. quick serve? really?

I don't eat there myself, but I pick up their iced coffees off and on for my father, who likes them, and I usually end up standing in line waiting 5 or 10 minutes while watching most of the staff standing around scratching themselves.

[1939]

8. Hard to have "fast food" with "half fast" workers. NT

[unblock]

12. i've been amazed at mcd's floundering every since wendy's opened.

back in those days, i could easily wait 45 minutes for a plain burger at mcd's or i could get a complete order filled at wendy's before i had even completed paying.

45 minutes was *not* an exaggeration, it was an *average*. my father and i would time them, sometimes it was even just over an hour. they would wait until a lull in "normal" orders before scraping off a portion of the grill to make our "special" order.

it took mcd years to cave and finally adopt operations friendly to "special" orders. of course, their burgers still suck. maybe that's why they hate serving them plain, they can't disguise the terrible patties.


we gave up meat 5-6 years ago, so now we only ever go there for the occasional fries anyway. speed isn't a problem there.

[Logical]

67. Olive Garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! nt

[hifiguy]

69. Slo-mo staff has been the Mickey D's norm

for a long time. Can't say I blame them, but it sometimes gets ridiculous.

[unblock]

5. here's how they can simplify their menu: sell only the fries.

ok, fries and a few drinks to wash them down with.

massively simplified operations.

highly profitable.

their fries are the addictive stuff of fast food legend, but everything else they sell is crap.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

9. I'm completely unapologetic by the fact that I love a Big Mac.

It's unhealthy as all-get out and I can't have them like I used to.

And they are far, far from the best burgers being sold out there.

But they always manage to fill a craving of mine.

And their sausage biscuits and hash browns are also pretty damn good to me. (And just as unhealthy, but what the hell.)

Fast food is an easy target because it is so unhealthy and compared with a carefully cooked meal it's low quality, but it has its place. Just not too much.

[gvstn]

61. I never saw the appeal of Big Macs

No tomato, just look dry to me.

If you like them, have at it but I'd rather have their crappy regular burgers if it was me. There crap but pretty much sums up McD's. I actually only go there for a Fillet O' Fish. Their fries haven't been that good since they stopped using lard.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

63. It might be cliche, but for me....

....it's the secret sauce.

With the secret being, yeah, it's Thousand Island dressing.

But for me, it works. It makes it immediately craveable to me.

[Takket]

74. The secret sauce is the key!

[link:https://m.

|

[gvstn]

80. That is scary.

They say mayonnaise is a preservative. But I would never put my tuna salad out in the sun!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

82. I put mayonnaise on everything. That's how I eat.

And cue Dr. Strange in 3, 2, 1........

[gvstn]

91. I had a great aunt

Who would always try to insist that I put some type of spread on my sandwiches. I'd say I just want a roll and some ham and cheese. She would say you need something like butter or oil or mayo. I think I have hated mayo ever since. Fine for tuna or egg salad but other than that I just don't go for it. But happy that it makes your sandwiches taste better.

[teenagebambam]

93. Must've been a generational thing

No sandwich of any variety, including hamburgers and hot dogs, would leave my grandmother's kitchen without both slices of bread being slathered in butter.

[gvstn]

94. Oh, how I hated that.

If you refused mayonnaise you got butter. I just wanted a dry roll. Nothing doing. You had to at least have butter.

How many sandwiches did I have to eat with stuff I didn't want on them? Plenty!

First world problems. I better shut up.

[exboyfil]

133. Think about it from a rural perspective

Working 10 hours a day on the farm you have to also consume cheap calories (fat) to keep going. Same applies to older style industrial work. Cubicle workers on the other hand. That is what I find funny about recommendations to limit your cardiovascular exercise. I sit in a cube 10 hours a day so I exercise 3 hours a day and that probably is still not enough even though I also don't use caloric spreads on sandwiches (actually even often hold the bun/slices of bread).

[laundry_queen]

114. Oh ick, my mom used to do that

except it was worse because she was cheap so used crappy cheap margarine.

She also would only put *1* slice of meat (usually bologne). And a slice of processed kraft cheese (the kind you unwrap each slice). I remember once my mom went out of town for work and my dad made my sandwiches for a whole week. It was heaven. Multiple slices of deli shaved ham and turkey, mayo, NO margarine, REAL cheese. mmmmm.

I do like mayo on my sandwiches though. Just not butter. Well, except on toasted tomato sandwiches...and it has to be butter (melted on the toast of course) NOT margarine.

This thread is making me hungry....

[gvstn]

124. I take care of my brother's dog once a year when he is on vacation.

The amount of Kraft singles or other brand of those things in his refrigerator makes me sick. He is really cheap. But eating "cheese" that is indistinguishable from the wrapper is where I draw the line. Our Mom would never have served that stuff. He seems to buy anything that is on sale, no matter what it is, as long as it is cheap.

[exboyfil]

134. Your Dad blew the food budget

I am a mustard person myself. My wife and daughters are allergic to mayo so we don't even have it in the house. They all eat dry sandwiches which I do sometimes (usually holding the bread so I guess really not a sandwich). I just wrap a piece of cheese around a slice of meat.

[gvstn]

140. I really like Grey Poupon Country style mustard.

It just seems to be the right mix of hotness.

I do mix that with mayo for a quick sauce to eat with asparagus. It is simple and tastes good. Probably not something for your family.

I don't like yellow mustard anymore, except maybe on a hotdog with sauerkraut.

[MrScorpio]

10. The all day breakfast menu is a winner for me nt

[B2G]

30. Ditto. Don't even try to take my sausage egg mcmuffin away. nt

[Throckmorton]

116. egg-a-muffin

Sayith the bass player.

[840high]

103. me2

[geomon666]

105. Yeah but they don't serve McGriddles

That's the best thing on the menu.

[pnwmom]

131. Me, too. I thought that was a great idea. n/t

[phantom power]

32. That is basically the In-and-Out Burger model

Their menu is like 3 or 4 burger choices, fries, and some soft drinks. That's it. I imagine their back-room operations are at least 10 times simpler than a place like McD's

[unblock]

42. hasn't been any in-and-out around here for quite a while

but then i've been married a long time....

(ba-dum-CHA!)

[Act_of_Reparation]

52. More like in "In-and-Wait-Awhile"

The menu is simple, but it still takes them forever to fill your order.

[hifiguy]

71. It's worth every delicious minute, though.

I never hit Vegas or LA without a pilgrimage to In-n-Out.

[A HERETIC I AM]

122. Absolutely.

best fast food hamburger there is, in my opinion.

A number one with grilled onions, thankyouverymuch.

[Hortensis]

65. Back in California, we had one of the earliest In-and-Outs. I don't

know what they're like now, but then everything was prepared fresh in a detached kitchen building. There were four lanes of cars served from two compact serving "buildings" staffed by extremely fast and efficient middle-aged men you just knew were well paid. During evening rush hour, the lines of drive-through customers stretched out to and down the boulevard. Their burgers weren't just really inexpensive, they were incredibly better than McDonalds. We miss having one nearby.

[Skittles]

50. I agree about their fries

they're still as excellent as they ever were

[LiberalElite]

112. A couple decades ago, after years of hearing about their fries, I finally

got to try them - and was disappointed.

[closeupready]

6. Not buying that spin. They have always turned things around,

and they will do it again.

The reason Five Guys and Shake Shack, etc., are beating them is, for one, the organic/natural methods of food ag used by their raw product sources.

If McDonald's could hold the line on costs, and demand higher standards of certificably 'clean' ag methods, then I think they'd win over some consumers.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

11. Five Guys makes a damn good burger.

But it's because they wrap it tight in foil so it comes out deliciously juicy. I hardly doubt it's much better for me than McDonalds, if at all. With the shitload of fries they give us, it's probably worse. (Seriously, 5 Guys, your fries are decent but no need to give a whole bushel basket full of them.)

Shake Shack? Meh. Not bad, but nothing too special. Same goes for BurgerFi, Smashburger, Elevation Burger and most other Fast Casual burger chains. In and Out won't expand to the East Coast, so screw them.

Chipotle isn't anything great. Moe's gives you a whole lot more variety in terms of toppings, options, and sauces.

[FSogol]

28. I Love 5 Guys. I think they put opiates in my food since I keep going back. n/t

[Tommy_Carcetti]

31. It's got to be the foil.

Other places have that thin little paper wrapper, which doesn't always even cover the whole burger.

5 Guys makes sure that baby is wrapped tight in the foil and no moisture escapes. The result is a messy but delicious gooiness.

[closeupready]

44. Five Guys is really good, yes. However, the fries, as you and others observe,

are just okay, greasy, and come in too large portions.

In and Out is very average, IMO. Don't get the fan club stuff.

[Danmel]

83. Problem with 5 guys for me is the peanut oil and the peanuts

Have s family member with a life threatening peanut allergy, so unless I'm alone, it's off limits. I wouldn't go ou to one, but chick fil a also uses peanut oil. I haven't eaten in any PDF those places in so long. Not a food snob, but it just doesn't appeal to me.

[Rocket_Scientist65]

90. Peanut oil is actually safe.

It's not the oil in peanuts that's the problem, it's the protein. My daughter got her first epipen this year after being tested for peanut allergies,(the results of testing showed "severe" for peanuts thus the pen) but she has no reaction what-so-ever to refined peanut oil (that's what her favorite Chinese take-out uses). Any peanut oil used for deep frying and cooking is highly refined and is not an issue. Any reaction to peanut oil would, at worst, be mild.

[Skittles]

53. I was very unimpressed by In and Out

Last edited Fri Oct 16, 2015, 03:39 PM - Edit history (1)

the first one I got had some sauce that was truly awful - I mean seriously, as in WTF awful - so the next time I got it without that sauce and it was not a bad burger, but nothing to stand in line for.`Give me a Whataburger any day over that.

[KamaAina]

57. Left Coast burgers generally have mayo or worse

Thousand Island has even been used.

[Skittles]

66. omg is that what it was - Thousand Island

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[hifiguy]

73. Agreed on both the burgers and the fries at Five Guys.

Smashburger's Smashfries (with olive oil and a just-right sprinkle of salt, rosemary and garlic) are food for the gods.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

81. Smashburger did have good fries.

Their burgers weren't quite up to Five Guy's levels, but they did manage some good fries. And shakes.

[Mosby]

14. do you eat much fast food?

People that go to shake shack, 5 guys, in and out, culvers, the habit, smashbuger don't give a shit about organic food, they want gut bombs.

Don't believe me? Look up the nutrition tables for the places I just mentioned.

[closeupready]

45. Too much, lol.

[Prism]

20. Plus Five Guys will give you a wheel barrel of fries

I once made the mistake of going with a friend and ordering two fries. Then they handed us the grocery bag full of potatoes.

Now, we'll go and order one small fry. They just throw them in a bag until it's practically full. Enough for three to four people. This happened in both Chicago and California, so I figure it's just what they do.

A mite over-salted though. Always gotta shake em out.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

23. I've come to ask for just one scoop of fries.

Which means I'm seriously overpaying for fries, but I just don't want to deal with that many fries. And I'm the type of person who hates wasting food, so the idea of leaving half the bag of fries just sitting there kills me.

The fries are okay. The burgers are really, really good though. There's one in walking distance from my office. And I'm always sure to actually walk it to mitigate the calories.

[Prism]

27. It's expensive but delicious

The price kills me a little bit. Two people always seems to come out around $26-$28 no matter what gets ordered. But damn if that burger isn't amazing every time.

Similar on the fries. If they're in front of me, they'll get absent-mindedly eaten during conversation. I always try to shove them at whoever I'm with. Fortunately, there's a yogurtland and krispy kreme next door, so I don't allow myself anywhere near the place too often. It's begging for quality treadmill time.

[closeupready]

47. Agree - burgers are ALWAYS good, fries are meh.

Greasy, overseasoned, and too large quantity. Not crispy like McDonald's.

[B2G]

29. Five Guys...meh

The last time I got carry out there, the grease from the fry bag caused it to actually break.

Red Robin for us.

[Prism]

41. Red Robin is pretty ace

Bottomless fries as well. Unfortunately, the nearest one is 30 mins down the peninsula.

Weirdly, their fruit salad is amazing. I'm sure they must just have a bag of the stuff somewhere, but I find myself getting it instead of fries every time I visit. That and their smoothies.

[ileus]

46. Same way in Virginia....

[yeoman6987]

60. Lol. Grocery bag of potatoes

Isn't that the gods honest truth. They are ridiculous with their portion fry size.

[laundry_queen]

115. HAHAHA I made that mistake too

My ex-h takes the kids there all the time. I had never been there, but the kids were begging me, we were all hungry...so fine.

SO disappointing! Waited in line for 30 minutes. Got a giant bag of soggy fries, way over salted. The burger was decent though. Only it tasted like the burgers I used to get in hockey arena concession stands, lol, which were cheap.

I prefer McDonalds - here in Canada their meat is actually pretty good. A friend worked at the meat processing plant that McDonalds ordered from around here, and he said the meat was pristine compared to other fast food places. And they had very strict rules about cleaning their equipment before the McDonald's beef would even show up. He said it's the only fast food place he will eat at.

They've also had to compete with places like Tim Horton's for quick service, so the McDonald's places around here are super quick. I can get through a drive thru in the morning before work in about 3-5 minutes, even with a long line up.

It's still not a regular thing for us though - it's pretty expensive. I remember my parents paying less than $10 for our family of 4. Our family of 5 costs more than $40 usually. And the salaries around here most definitely have not increased by a multiple of 4 since I was a kid.

[yellowcanine]

138. "All the better to clog your arteries, my dear!"

5 Guys is a heart attack machine.

[72DejaVu]

84. Here's another factor...

The highest profit margin item for McDonalds and other fast food outlets has always been sodas. You know why they allow all the free refills you want? Because the cup costs them more than the soda does.

I volunteer as a driver for Medicare patients who don't have transportation, and sometimes I have long waits for them. I frequently go to McDonalds because they have free wifi (And in some of the towns I take them to, it's the only place that does). Recently, I watched as a school bus full of teens came in. There were about 40 kids, and every one of them bought a bottle of water or some kind of coffee drink or something, not a single one bought a soda.

Consider: They make over a dollar profit on every soda sold. Ten years ago, they were selling millions of soda a day. Now, I doubt they are selling a fifth of that.

Not saying it's the only reason they are in trouble, but it's a factor, and maybe an indicator of their whole business model becoming antiquated.

[closeupready]

87. Good point. I stopped drinking soda in the early 90's.

I have occasionally indulged in a "Mexican" soda (sweetened with real sugar only), but VERY rarely - like once every two or three years. And I always felt weird that way, but now it seems like it's kind of commonplace.

[72DejaVu]

89. I don't know that the replacements are any better...

I see a lot of kids drinking Red Bull and Monster and things like that, and I wonder if they wouldn't be better off with a Pepsi.

[exboyfil]

135. Even worse are the ones like me

who get a cup of water which is free. I hate fountain drinks especially the nasty habit of packing them with ice.

My usual trip to McDonalds. Two McDoubles (or two cheeseburgers now that McDoubles are off the menu) and a cup of water. $2 plus tax. Not that I do it very often (no more than 3 or 4 times/year). At least for me fast food can be addictive. I am very happy to fix my chicken breast and vegetable stir fries at home instead.

[Mosby]

13. this is their problem imo

When the media wants to do a story about unhealthy fast food they always mention McDonald's and use them as the example.

The problem with that is fast food places are now turning away from "healthy" food and are trying to outdo each other with the most tasty gut bombs, just look at that latest sandwich from Carl's Jr. Even subway dropped the healthy angle. Burger King, KFC, jack in the box Carl Jr and all the smaller burger places like 5 guys etc can put out whatever crazy unhealthy stuff they want but McDonald's can't do it because of media attention.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

18. Some people like to prop up Chik Fil A as an example of "better" fast food.

I highly suspect it's because they agree with some of the personal beliefs of the owners more than any actual comment on food.

And I doubt Chik Fil A is much healthier than McDonalds, either.

And, at least from whatever memory I have of it (it's been several years), it's not really that good. I recall the sandwiches being very bland and uninspiring. And way overpriced.

[Mosby]

25. same with chipotle

It organic!

It's fresh!

It's GMO free!

The burrito averages 1400 calories and 3000 mgs of sodium.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

35. There are very few, if any, chain restaurants I'd go to for health purposes.

When I eat out, it's basically to indulge.

I do all my healthy eating at home (about 90% of the time), and treat myself every once in a while by going out. That includes traditional fast food, fast casual, and sit down.

Even a place like Sweet Tomatoes, which you'd think as a salad place would be healthy, is essentially free reign to eat.

[Mosby]

54. I eat out a lot more than I want to

So I try to eat the side salads with a small item like chicken nuggets or small burger.

A lot of the grocery stores here in the valley have hot food, my typical lunch at bashas is a baked chicken breast, steamed veggies and a cup of soup.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

129. I've always thought that Chick-Fil-A makes really good fast food chicken nuggets and sandwiches

Their sauces are better than average, and it's one of the few places one can get decent sweet tea outside the south. I know in the south, Zaxby's is another well regarded choice in this category. A good up-and-comer in the fast food chicken category is Raising Canes --decent, somewhat addictive dipping sauce; mediocre fries; excellent sweet tea -- but what sets them apart is that their chicken is all fried fresh, so you order, wait about 5 minutes while they fry your order, and then get very fresh, piping hot battered and fried chicken tenders.

RE: "I highly suspect it's because they agree with some of the personal beliefs of the owners more than any actual comment on food."

Perhaps, but I can tell you that the converse is not true. Joan Kroc was a philanthropist and a supporter of Democrats, and McDonald's gets cut no slack by progressives.

[Arugula Latte]

121. There is a healthier fast food chain in the Northwest called Burgerville,

and it is very successful.

It's slogan is "Fresh, Local, Sustainable." They have Northwest takes on things (smoked salmon on a salad, hazelnut shakes), plus seasonal specialties (fresh strawberry shortcake, Walla Walla onion rings) and alternatives (black bean veggie burgers), plus all the regular burger & fries stuff. The food is absolutely delicious and doesn't make you feel sick afterward. The only drawback is it is a bit pricey.

[Galileo126]

15. Once a year I get sucked in

and buy a plain hamburger at the drive-thru.

I always get a "cheeseburger", pull off the drive-thru to the parking lot, enter the store to complain, wait another 10 mins on top of the 10 mins I had to wait in the drive-thru.

All for a crappy PLAIN hamburger.

Let Mc-D's die a violent corporate death.

[StrongBad]

16. Force them to pay $15 an hour wages.

I'm sure that will help their financial situation and not result in the loss of a ton of jobs.

[Mosby]

21. just mcdonalds?

[Rex]

17. A little birdie told me journalism is in it's final days, the brand is in a 'deep depression.'

I hear tell the earth is in it's final days and so is soft serve ice cream! Will nobody think of the childrens!?

[pintobean]

19. McDonald’s Franchisees Say All-Day Breakfast Launch A Disaster

Oak Brook, Ill. (CBS St. Louis)– Some McDonald’s franchisees around the country are saying the launch of all-day breakfast has been no picnic.

In a new survey, franchisees report having slower service, lower average ticket costs, and more chaos in the kitchen, according to Business Insider.

“In small stores, the problems are vast with people falling over each other and equipment jammed in everywhere,” one of the survey responses read.

“All-day breakfast is a non-starter. We are trading customers down from regular menu to lower-priced breakfast items. Not generating new traffic,” another employee reported.

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2015/10/16/mcdonalds-franchisees-say-all-day-breakfast-launch-a-disaster/

[philosslayer]

24. Very predictable

I used to work at McDonalds in high school. Its real easy to mandate all day breakfast. But execution? A whole nother story. More to cook, more grills to keep open, more confusion..... Sounds like a nightmare for workers to me.

[NobodyHere]

59. As someone who worked at McDs I'm not surprised

The more variety of menu you have the more items you have to keep cooked and ready to put on a bun (or in this case McMuffin). You need a certain volume of traffic to be able to hire enough employees to keep track of it all.

[HughBeaumont]

22. McDonald's is the new "White Castle". They'd be better off marketing themselves as such.

Niche cravings, road burgers, something you go to when you're in need of something to munch on, that kind of thing.

[leveymg]

38. McD is a slightly larger White Castle/Krystal coin-size burger. None are real meat. All should

gone out of business a long time ago.

[hifiguy]

76. There are times when I would take a sack of Castles

over the finest cut of steak. For some strange reason significant quantities of beer are always involved at those times.

[Scootaloo]

78. Goddamn but I miss Krystals

I prefer, in every case to make my own burgers (right down to grinding my own meat) but gimme a kystaks and five bucks and I'm a happy man with a bad case of onion belch

[hifiguy]

79. And if you eat Castles or Krystals

the onion belches will continue for at least 24 hours. And it's also advisable to have some room spray in the bathroom for at least a day afterwards.

[HughBeaumont]

92. Been there.

Indigested that.

[KamaAina]

101. Beer? That's not what was involved for Harold and Kumar!

[hifiguy]

104. Been there, too.

Me and my stoner buddies would sometimes head down to the Castle on Lake Street in Mpls back in the 1970s (when that was a very iffy part of town) about 1:30-2:00 am and it was always a hoot. Especially Saturday nights. We'd sit and watch the pimpmobiles roll in with the "gentlemen of leisure" in their Superfly suits looking for some late-nite eats.

[FSogol]

26. McD doesn't realize their main problem is they precook too much and rely on warming cabinets.

Slow down slightly and give a better product and they'll rebound. They are already attempting to use better ingredients (cage-free eggs for example).

[ecstatic]

139. +1000. I can't risk getting another semi-warm meal from them.

I guess my favs from their menu aren't popular and thereafter will never be piping hot / "fresh." No thanks. I'm done!

[sorefeet]

33. I think being so slow

is a big problem. Plus the menu is huge. Burgers and fries like they started out when I was a kid.

[olddots]

34. this is much deeper than McDonalds

[JI7]

36. maybe the all day breakfast they started will help

[KamaAina]

37. According to the article, that's part of the problem

Most Mickey D's aren't set up to serve that many different items at once.

[JI7]

39. jack in the box has been doing it

But i guess someone needs to come up with a way to make the kitchen more efficient.

Getting rid of some of the repetitive items could help. And if someone wants a double or triple cheeseburger just charge extra. Everything doesn't need to be a separate menu item.

[dembotoz]

40. don't cheer too much....they employ a whole shit load of people

and the local one ALWAYS has at least one special need person working...not on staff somewhere, working meaning multiple jobs for the population.....I do not see these folks working elsewhere.


the local mc d's also employ a whole bunch of seniors that i do not see getting jobs elsewhere.
with no soc security increase this year...for many of these seniors Mc Ds job is what keeps them from eating cat food...

be careful what you wish for

[KamaAina]

48. I had a person with Down's working for me once

we hired her away from her local Mickey D's.

She had been there several years and had never even been allowed to work the register, in an industry where if a non-disabled person sticks around for six months, s/he becomes assistant manager!

[ileus]

43. And here I thought it's decline was because my kids are too old for Happy Meals.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

49. Jack in the Box had to redo my order.

I got a turkey, bacon and cheddar sandwich. The guy behind the counter said it came with "sundried sauce".

Apparently there was a language barrier and he had no idea that the adjective sundried is associated with tomatoes. When I ordered I said "NO TOMATOES".

Well, they fixed it with the damned tomatoes on it and I had to take it back and they redid it. I get quite ill (bedridden for two days from fatigue) if I ingest tomatoes or peppers of any kind. It's called a "deadly nightshade allergy" because all those plants are in the deadly nightshade family. Deadly nightshade is called belladonna, and it's what atropine comes from. Atropine is the drops the eye doctor dilates your eyes with and makes your heart race.

Anyway, I was disgusted, expecting them to mess up my order, but the guy who did not know what "sundried" meant gave me a free piece of cheesecake.


My mistake was not checking my sandwich before I left the counter. People with food allergies often have to repeat themselves several times to get through to the staff.

I have always called McD's "hamburger Nazis" because they wouldn't make custom orders and I can't eat ketchup, obviously.

[KamaAina]

51. Aren't potatoes also in the nightshade family?

And tobacco?

[Manifestor_of_Light]

118. Yes, they are.

But I love potatoes and have never had a problem with them.

I get quite ill around tobacco smokers. I have had to cut off friendships with them when I went to their house, they smoked and had lots of cats, and they didn't want to meet me somewhere else. I used to get severe bacterial bronchitis 2 days later if I went to a smoker's house. Lately, I haven't gotten sick around them except for a severe coughing fit in the middle of the night which indicates my asthma is not controlled properly. That means I am around too much filth. My sleep apnea doctor told me that.



Eggplant is also part of the nightshade family. The texture of eggplant grosses me out so I don't eat it.
Fortunately, I don't think anyone has tried to shove it down me recently.

Hot sauce makes my mouth burn. I don't miss it because I do not find it pleasant in the least. I am a supertaster and very specific about my food. There are also a lot of foods I just do not like.

[KamaAina]

119. Believe it or not, I met someone who has the same thing yesterday!

If someone shoves nightshade (including potatoes) down her throat, her arthritis flares up.

[shanti]

99. no salsa for you?

man, that would SUCK, IMO!

[jeff47]

107. Uh, I get a custom order every time.

Kids are a bit obsessed with happy meals at the moment. So when I give in on that, I get a burger with no pickles, no onion. It has never been a problem beyond the occasional "didn't put both 'NO' things in the register".

[Beacool]

55. Facing it's "final days"?

Please, McDonald's is like the roaches, they'll be here for another million years.

Seriously, I don't wish them to fail for the simple reason that they employ many thousands of people. Yes, the salaries are crappy and that needs to be addressed, but I don't rejoice seeing people lose their jobs.

Personally, I only go to McDonald's when I have a long drive because I can use their bathroom and then I purchase something from their dollar menu. In my case it's more about the calories than the price, smaller portions mean less calories. Their coffee is passable and you can't beat in summer any size ice tea for a dollar.

[ZX86]

56. Screw McDonalds

I remember not that long ago I could get a 1/4 lb hamburger and fries for $2 and change. A couple of days ago I went there and it cost me over $8.00. Screw 'em!

[Retrograde]

58. Translation: McDonald's franchisees aren't making as much as they'd like to

I suspect some people bought franchises expecting them to be cash cows. Now either the parent corporation is taking a bigger cut, or their expenses are larger than they expected them to be. Or people are just not eating as much fast food as previously. Or people's taste in general has shifted.

But I don't expect McDonald's to go away soon.

[Omaha Steve]

62. Photo: Police in riot gear guard the entrance of McDonald's corporate campus (on strike day)

Maybe they should pay a living wage.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025487186

LBN strike story here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014887801


Extra info here: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-fast-food-workers-strike-20140903-story.html



Scott Olson / Getty Images

Police guard the entrance of McDonald's corporate campus as about 2,000 fast-food workers and activists seeking higher wages march toward the Oak Brook, Ill., complex in May.

What is McDonald's afraid of?

[cascadiance]

64. If they are really this bad off, what do they have to lose by raising the base wage to $15/hour...

To in effect adhere in advance to the $15 minimum wage movement.

That might buy them a whole movement of conscientious customers intentionally rewarding them over their fast food competitors to raise the minimum wage for everyone. I haven't been to McD's for ages, save maybe once or twice at an airport or the like where I didn't have much other choice for a quick meal in transit. I'd make a point of eating at them, especially if they timed offering food that was certified as organic and free of GMO ingredients for at least some meals.

I think they could drive the industry in a health direction for everyone, even if some of us might have to pay a few more cents for a burger we might buy cheaper there now. I worry more about quality, and helping my fellow man and woman make a decent wage than getting food "cheap".

And I'd warrant if they paid decently, they'd get some quality people working for them too, who would help make their food delivery more efficient too and therefore "faster" than their competitors.

Right next to the New Seasons (Whole Foods like store minus the screwy CEO leadership) here in Beaverton, Oregon, there is a newly "rebuilt" McD's that was recently rebuilt from scratch, perhaps trying to get more customers? I wonder if they get that many more customers now. Probably not from us who frequent New Seasons next door. But if they were to do the above, we might stop there as much as we might get a soup and sandwich at New Seasons for lunch when shopping there.

[hifiguy]

68. The last time I was in a Mickey D's -

a couple of weeks back when nothing else was open and I was hungry - I waited three minutes for someone to take my order. There was one couple in front of me. The wait for the food was ten minutes.

At Five Guys that wait for a fresh-made burger and fries is perfectly acceptable. At a McD's it is inexcusable.

Even the food seems to be getting worse, except for the fries, which are still good.

[Logical]

70. Never happens where I live. Always busy and always quick. nt

[Logical]

72. I don't believe a word of it. If the OP does I suggest selling their stock short. Large amounts. nt

[Quantess]

75. Oh shit, I'm so sorry.

[CentralMass]

77. Bummer.

[72DejaVu]

85. Anybody try Elevation Burger?

They claim to be an organic. Burgers are pretty good, on a par with 5 Guys. A little pricier, though.

[link:http://elevationburger.com|

[olddots]

88. the big 3 fast food places have menues that are too big

quantity instead of quality is the big bizz mantra and it fails constantly .Whats the solution ? Zero population growth and what does that have to do with Mickey Dee's ? everything .

[Algernon Moncrieff]

125. Actually, McD's just skinnied down its menu quite a bit

Still big, but not monstrously so. Still not as sharply focused as Five Guys (burgers, fries, hot dogs, grilled cheese)

[AZ Progressive]

95. A depression in the business world is stagnation. McDonalds has trouble growing sales...

However a lot of people still eat there. How else would Mcdonalds restaurants still be able to employ more people per restaurant than any other nationwide fast food place? (at least that I've been to.)

[Baitball Blogger]

96. Do you think that the end of McDonalds will coincide with a decrease in obese children?

[Algernon Moncrieff]

130. Do you think McDonalds is the only fast food outlet at which kids eat?

[davidn3600]

97. Some of this is just whining by franchises

Decisions the company is making is cutting into some of the franchises bottom lines. So they are crying.

But the problem with the food fast business today (in terms of economics and management) is the menus are too big. It provides a lot of options for customers but it slows down service.

I was in management in fast food in my early 20s. Back then the menus were quite simple. The products were easily made and were efficient to move. I can't imagine the nightmare managing that these days. There are too many products to create and have ready.

McDonalds isn't the only one having this issue. Overall, competition from the Starbucks, Five Guys, Panera Bread, Chipotle, and various sub shops have hurt the old quick service model that used to be very profitable and dominate the market.

[Deadshot]

98. I haven't had that crap in years.

I refuse to eat at any fast food place.

[shanti]

100. every dog has its day!

maybe it's mickey d's turn. when my youngest was still at home, we'd go to mcd's after his basketball games, among other places. he'd never get a burger tho, it was always the chicken nuggets, and he didn't care for sodas either. now that he's gone, it's a rare occasion that i go there, for some fries (only). my BIL absolutely loves their coffee drinks though.

now, on the rare occasions of fast food, i will do panda or chipotle, and never with a soda...water only.

[longship]

102. What else can one do with a Big Mac?

Or the only occasional MacRib, which everybody cheers about until it makes it on the market again.

Sheesh!

[alphafemale]

106. What stuns me is places like Huddle House/Waffle House

There is generally one cook and one maybe two waitresses and they can rock breakfast or burgers or whatever when it is wanted.

Those cooks do not get paid near what they deserve.

[Snobblevitch]

108. I think part of McDonald's problems is because

they grill the burgers in advance and then reheat them in the microwave before assembling. In the old days, they had them premade and sitting under a heat lamp. I would order my burger plain in order to get a fresh one and it would take about 10 minutes and I had to stand to the side. Now, you can get a plain burger quite fast, but it's a reheated burger patty.


McDonald's menu is too big. They cannot possibly offer that much variety and do it all well.

My question is, how are Burger King and Wendy's doing? Are they also struggling?

I don't eat at McDonald's because I don't like the flavor or texture to their burgers and Burger King is even worse. A couple times a year I'll have a Wendy's burger.

[restorefreedom]

109. feels like an arbys night

no, its not david putty, just this guy


https://m.

[Liberal_in_LA]

110. really?

[Generic Brad]

113. Have their Quarter Pounders shrunk over the decades?

In the 1970's their Quarter Pounders seemed huge to me and it took both hands to hold one of them. Now they appear to be only slightly larger than their regular hamburgers used to be. I know my hands have not gotten smaller.

[Lancero]

120. Good, the food tastes like shit anyways.

[Trajan]

123. McDonald's and many other fast food franchises in Portland OR

Are competing with a vast array of independent mom and pop shops, a plethora of wonderful food carts of every imaginable cuisine .... All at very comparable prices ....

Furthermore, when I used to eat at McDonald's, I always wanted their breakfast, but so often was denied because it was 10:31 am or later ... I went to Jack in the Box with their 24 hour breakfast menu ... The decision to increase breakfast times was about 30 years too late ....

We found the flavor of this kind of fast food to be so bland and uninspiring, we simply stopped going their ...

So much variety in this town - McDonald's goose is cooked in this town ....

[CentralMass]

128. I'm out in Beaverton. The McDonolds here seems to do ok.

[MADem]

126. When I have had business I've had to drive to get to in the morning, I will go to the drive through

and get their coffee (it's Paul Newman and very tasty). There's usually a line. I don't think the employees are lazy or goofing off either like one individual suggested --every time I've been through it looks like they're hustling like hell for their pittance of a wage.

[eShirl]

132. Figures; just as they finally serve egg muffins all day.

sans cheez they are pretty good

[FreeJoe]

136. I hate to call BS, but...

BS. Their stock, while not growing very quickly anymore, is at all time highs. Some franchises might not be healthy, but the company overall appears to be doing well.

They were useful for us on long driving trips with young kids because the play areas afforded them a nice place to burn off energy when the weather wasn't good for playing at a park. I'm glad we outgrew that. Dreadful "food".

[yellowcanine]

137. If they would just make their employees "associates" they would be saved!