not lovin' it_ mcdonald's is trying to fix its business _ fox news

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Published April 27, 2015

Associated Press

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When it comes to McDonald's, everyone seems to have an opinion about what the company needs to do differently.

After turning in another quarter of sliding sales and profit, McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook said the chain will unveil

initial details on a plan to turn around its fortunes on May 4. Among the challenges it faces are intensifying competition and

an image for serving junk food that it just can't seem to shake.

Already this year, McDonald's has given a nod to the "clean label" trend with a simplified grilled chicken recipe, and

announced plans to curb the use of antibiotics in raising chickens. In March it also hosted a "Turnaround Summit" for

franchisees in the U.S.

The company isn't providing specifics on what will be revealed in May. But McDonald's is one of those names that elicit

strong opinions from all corners — and many of them conflict:

EGG MCMUFFINS AROUND THE CLOCK

McDonald's recently began testing an all-day breakfast menu in San Diego, and some are already calling on the company

to take it national.

John Gordon, a restaurant industry analyst, said it's just one way McDonald's could start increasing customer visits to

The chain will unveil initial details on a plan to turn around its fortunes on May 4. (Reuters)

Not lovin' it: McDonald's is trying to fix its business | Fox News 4/28/2015 8:25 PM

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/04/27/not-lovin-it-mcdonald-is-tr... 1 of 13

For now, most McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. serve breakfast until about 10:30 a.m. In the test, McDonald's is only

serving select breakfast items.

ADD VEGGIE LOVE TO THE MENU

People are increasingly seeking out vegetarian options, even if they're not converting into strict vegetarians, said Paul Sha-

piro, a spokesman for The Humane Society of the United States. He said that means it's time McDonald's offers a

vegetarian option.

Shapiro noted that many other chains already court people who feel like skipping meat. Chipotle introduced a vegan

topping called Sofritas. Denny's and Johnny Rockets have veggie burgers, and White Castle recently said it would make

veggie sliders a permanent part of its menu after their popularity as a limited-time offer.

"So many of McDonald's competitors are serving plant-based entrees, and McDonald's is lagging behind," Shapiro said.

RAISE WAGES

In a column in The Chicago Tribune, Easterbrook said he wants to transform McDonald's into a "modern, progressive

burger company on many fronts," focusing on perceptions about its food and workers.

It came right after McDonald's said it would raise the starting wage for workers to $1 above the local minimum wage. But

labor organizers — who are calling for $15 an hour — said the move falls far short, especially since it only applies to

company-owned stores, which account for a tenth of U.S. locations.

Robert Reich, a U.S. labor secretary in the Clinton adminstration and supporter of the Fight for $15 campaign, said raising

wages across the chain would not only mend the chain's image as an employer, but lower its worker turnover and help

business.

GO BACK TO BASICS

While some say McDonald's needs to change more quickly, others say it has strayed too far and needs to get back to

focusing on what it does best: affordable burgers and fries.

"Nobody is going to argue that McDonald's fries are bad," said Laura Ries, president of marketing firm Ries & Ries in

Atlanta.

She said McDonald's should stop chasing trends and trying to appeal to everyone.

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15 minutes agoAtomicFury

It's all my fault. I decided to start eating better and.....

Okay, I was just kidding. I think they are doing the right thing when they

change their menu choices for the better. Everyone has their favorites

but some should go or be improved. I always liked McDonald's and

hope they find a way to evolve.

Like Reply

21 minutes agojimmc1952

I call McD's burgers grey hockey pucks....If they improve, I'll try it....For

now it's BK.....But you know? I remember when they were hot, now

they all come Luke warm. I mean even when It comes right off the grill,

what's up with that?

Like Reply

37 minutes agoTetsujin22

McDonalds is a place either you love or hate, and there are no

shortage of haters in this forum. these haters will never go there no

mater what changes they make. Improve service and those that love it

will continue to and I think they are moving in the right direction. I'm

"lov'in it" because they have given all three of my kids a start in the

world and they all are better for it.

Like Reply

1 hour agomcharlton1

I don't eat there because I end-up with the runs 30 minutes after eating

a Big Mac.

Like Reply

1 hour agotobywong

Breakfast all the time! JEEZ!

Like Reply

1 hour agoiseverynametaken

It doesn't have a reputation for selling junk food, they DO sell junk food.

It is cheaper to make any of their meals at home, and far better quality.

The only purpose of McDonalds, or any other fast food is laziness.

This is my opinion, but I feel it is accurate.

1 Like Reply



18 minutes agojimmc1952

@iseverynametaken You are correct, at least as far as why I'll

go. When I go to BK, (which isn't often) it's because I don't feel

like cooking, plain and simple.

Like Reply

1 hour agoDaleThornberry

Will McDonald's still pay large sums of money to pro athletes to lie for

them?

Like Reply

2 hours agoRickyVols

McDonald's has the best fries in the world, their breakfasts are

outstanding and the rest of the menu, (burgers, etc.) I think is good. I

go to McDonald's regularly and have for 40 years. The problem that I

have is that not all of their restaurants are run the same. The staff is

just adequate at most locations. Compared to Chick Filet, which has

the best fast food employees in the industry, McDonald's falls short. Go

to a McDonald's in a big city, and you will usually not see one American

worker. And in my experience, this usually results in service where the

employee views me with quiet contempt. When I travel, I only stop at

the restaurants that are "in the middle of nowhere" as I get the best

service and food there.

Like Reply

2 hours agoseldls

yep adding vegetarian option is really going to turn things around,

cause that's where people go for there healthy food f'n McDonalds.

Laughable, attempting to cater to .2% of your clientele is a recipe for

success.

1 Like Reply

2 hours agotwday

McDonalds needs to stop trying to be cool with the stupid slogans.

Stop trying to go after the hip hop and rap crowd. I don't spend my

money there anymore because of that.

1 Like Reply

2 hours agoJustinPlayfair

@twday Your point is well taken; after all, the folks they're

trying to appeal to aren't used to actually paying for things.

Then again, maybe they just haven't picked the right slogan

yet. How about, "I'm lootin' it!"

2 Like Reply



2 hours agoRHughSirius

This is the recent problem with these fast-food chains. They start

out with a standard menu, which regular customers enjoy. Then

they get the foolish notion of wanting to be all things to all

customers. It is then that the original wheels start coming off the

wagon.

3 Like Reply

1 day agobillsmith63

If you want good food, don't go to McDonalds - go somewhere else:)

3 Like Reply

1 day agobillsmith63

There's no such thing as fast food today. It can take 10 minutes to get

an order at the counter at McDonalds. I never go there expecting good

food, I go there expecting fast food. I miss the days when you place an

order and the clerk turns around, picks it up from under an heat lamp

and gives it to you. SPEED THINGS UP!

2 Like Reply

1 day agodiatribeinvt

bring back the fries cooked in coconut oil and let the health fanatics go

into apoplexy

5 Like Reply

1 day agofrisco_danconia

I love McDs and Walmart. Given the choice I would rather eat at McDs

over many other places.

However, if McDs caves in to this $15 / hr. starting wage, then I'll never

eat at McDs again in my life. The same goes for Walmart.

Multiple people can play the economic boycott game of Reich and his

freedom destroying communist friends.

Walmart and McDs should pay the rate that will attract employees to

work at those businesses based on voluntary transactions relative to

other wages at substitute jobs.

In other words, Walmart and McDs should follow the "Unknown Ideal"

of laissez faire capitalism.

4 Like Reply

1 day agosn0wb0arder



there is nothing appetizing about mcdonalds.

3 Like Reply

1 day agoScott Crocker

The golden arches have come to symbolize fake food.

3 Like Reply

1 day agoflawidajack

Fire the clowns. Add Beer and Brats. An occasional corn dog day

wouldn't hurt. Change the slave outfits on the employees to something

a bit more enticing- Think Playboy club of the '60's. No need to thank

me, I'll share in the profits from my stock.

Like Reply

1 day agofoxviewr

Reich = Fraud.

2 Like Reply

1 day agodeliman1963

McDonald's is too expensive for the quality of food you get. When a

sausage and egg biscuit meal is 7.29, there's a problem somewhere.

9 Like Reply

1 day agofoxviewr

@deliman1963 Prices here went up by 30%. Raise the

minimum wage and they are out of business.

7 Like Reply

1 day agojduf4

Yeah the food not only needs to be edible but stop cutting the portions

down. When I was growing up, a burger was a decent size. Now

everything is smaller and it costs more. Does not make sense when

Burger King's Whopper makes a Big Mac look like a slider!

4 Like Reply

1 day agosaveAmerica2014a

Raising costs at McDonalds, for any reason, including improving low

skilled workers wages, is a recipe for disaster, I rarely will stop in for a

sundae or breakfast item now, raising the costs 5-20% to pay higher

entry level wages, will deter the occasional visit.

9 Like Reply

1 day agohitmon

Yuck!



2 Like Reply

1 day agopeteforester

To the CEO of McDonalds; 'Wanna figure out why your business is

nosediving? Try your own "food." Somehow your company has lost

sight of the fact that, in order for a restaurant to succeed and thrive, the

food actually needs to be edible!

8 Like Reply

1 day agoChrisSchultz

@peteforester Also he should try ordering to an employee

who barely understands or speaks English.

8 Like Reply

1 day agothefur77

@ChrisSchultz @peteforester not to mention can't

make change without a computers and can't hardly

add the coins together to get the amount the computer

tells them...And they think they deserve $15 and hour?

Go back to basics; quality food at a fair price, even if

you have to replace the cashiers with an automated

self order kiosk. To be honest, I don't mind waiting a

couple of extra minutes for a decent burger....Look at 5

guys. they make a great burger and no one seems to

mind the wait. So there must be a happy medium

between the wait and great food and instant

cardboard.

5 Like Reply

1 day agofoxviewr

@peteforester It's not "food" just stomach filler.

3 Like Reply

1 day agoFB1976

For everyone concerned about how slow McDs is (I wouldn't know -

NEVER go there - they are experimenting with machines taking over

the kitchen. The store will have two people - one feeding the machine,

which churns out burgers quicker and more consistently, and one

giving your order to you. The result of the $15/hr crowd is turning the

vast majority of these people into $0/hr. Wow, that helped them. More

government please!

11 Like Reply

1 day agoTermyt

@FB1976 The people pushing for $15 an hour minimum wage

don't have these jobs, so they don't care if automation

replaces them. They have (union) jobs that are well above

minimum and contracts that give them guaranteed raises if the



minimum wage goes up. They don't care if every minimum

wage earner is replaced by a robot as long as minimum wage

increases.

9 Like Reply

1 day agobarry_ny

Minimum wage is a back-door business tax increase.

15-25% of every minimum wage dollar goes to the

government. If liberals cared so much about low

income workers, then why don't they eliminate all

taxation on minimum wage workers? Instant increase

in take home pay.

They will never consider this, because it's not about

the poor. It's about government revenue.

2 Like Reply

1 day agoMawellJaxwell

McHoodies

2 Like Reply


Google "

Beaten to Death at McDonald’s-Frontpage Mag" and see what

McDonalds is REALLY like!

2 Like Reply

1 day agotwistedmind

Why even go to McDonalds anymore? For the price you pay, and the

time you wait for your order. You could have gone to a sit down and

order restaruant and had a better meal.

7 Like Reply

1 day agoTyTX

Chick-Fil-A, always crowded, friendly staff, friendly customers (it's

contagious), really fast and courteous service. Good food.

McD's, not so much.

14 Like Reply


@TyTX the most IMPORTANT part- those crowds and staff are

overwhelmingly WHITE!!!

2 Like Reply

1 day agostarbuk7

@MawellJaxwell @TyTX Not sure what Chick-Fil-A

you have been to lately but the ones in San Diego



whites are a minority behind the counter!!

2 Like Reply

1 day agogoddamnit

@starbuk7 @MawellJaxwell @TyTX But it

sounds SO MUCH BETTER the way ol'

Maxwell said it ...

3 Like Reply

1 day agopeteforester

@starbuk7 @MawellJaxwell @TyTX Most

likely, so's English!

2 Like Reply


@starbuk7 @MawellJaxwell @TyTX not

sure what chick fil a you go to but I travel the

country for work and they are overwhelmingly

white. They are also known for only opening

up locations in white areas. If you want to talk

about san diego then all I can say is that the

demographics of the area are probably such

that white employees just can't be found.

2 Like Reply

1 day agoJack in Key West

The only time I visit a McDonalds is for breakfast. It still amazes me

how SLOOOOOOW everyone behind the counter is walking back and

forth, talking or texting on their cellphones, and they call this a FAST

FOOD joint! It drives me nuts to see a line at the counter, and up to

half-a-dozen "employees" (I use the term loosely...) standing around

like a bunch of zombies. I wouldn't pay them $5 an hour, much less

$15.

9 Like Reply

1 day agotwistedmind

@Jack in Key West I worked in a McDonalds in the early 90's.

I would have been fired if it took me as long to get orders out

as the current McDonalds does.

9 Like Reply

1 day agogoddamnit

@twistedmind @Jack in Key West I worked in a

McDonalds in the 1970s, and we were required to get

to food out fast and not waste any time. We were

constantly measured/evaluated based on

responsiveness and friendliness toward customers.

When you go there now, the employees make you



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feel like it is your honor that they're even

acknowledging your presence.

3 Like Reply

2 days agoMarkChristopher2014

McDonalds just got to be to big, to fast. They wanted to be applied to

all aspects and over stretched themselves. My first job was at a

McDonalds in 1997. We had about 40 items on the menu, now they

have what 200?

Reduce and go back

5 Like Reply

2 days agoMawellJaxwell

@MarkChristopher2014 McDonalds just became too black!

5 Like Reply

2 days agotimmerz

over PRICED NASTY TASTE FOOD

5 Like Reply

2 days agoMonkeeshine

McD's CEO should visit a Five Guys Burger joint to witness an

exceptional business model. Every employee greets customers when

they walk in....even the cooks behind the counter. Great food, plenty of

it, and reasonable prices. That's all it takes to get customers to keep

coming.

13 Like Reply

2 days agojeditemple

@Monkeeshine I totally agree with you!

2 Like Reply



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not lovin' it_ mcdonald's is trying to fix its business _ fox news

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