May 23, 2013

McDonald's

Cue the Clown

McDonald’s introduced a series of new TV spots in April featuring its signature mascot, Ronald McDonald, promoting the McDonald’s kid-oriented HappyMeal.com site. The site has games and videos relating to the company’s products.

The commercials show Ronald interacting...

Some ‘LiveWell’ While Most Wait

Restaurant brands participating in the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) recently announced “Kids LiveWell” initiative are confident that the health-infused measure will help boost their...

Coming to London 2012: McD's Biggest Play Program Ever

When it announced its sponsorship today via webcast of the 2012 Olympic Games in London, McDonald’s revealed its plans to center much of its sponsorship on a healthy, active lifestyle for kids through its new Champions of Play for the Olympic Games initiative.

The initiative will be...

The Case for Cheap Eats
July 2011

In the hands of the quick-service restaurant operator, price might be the ultimate weapon, the key ingredient to swing a customer and prompt a purchase in today’s dollar-conscious market.

And the quick-service industry knows it all too well, an awareness that has sparked a decades-...

The Recruitment Revolution
July 2011

Pop culture has not been kind to the quick-service industry.

From the lovable-but-dumb employees in Good Burger to the drug-addled protagonists of Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, the industry is seen as a haven for dimwits, losers, and the vaguely criminal. Thousands of...

Fast Food Closing in on Full Service in Customer Satisfaction

The quick-service industry is closing the customer satisfaction gap standing between it and the full-service industry, according to a new study.

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), released today, found that customer satisfaction with the quick-serve industry had increased 5....

Ronald McDonald House Awards Scholarships

Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern California (RMHCNC) and local Northern California McDonald’s restaurants recognized nearly 150 exceptional high school seniors, who received more than $170,000 in college scholarships on Saturday, June 18, 2011, at the West Steps of the...

McDonald's Sales Up 3.1% in May

McDonald's Corporation announced global comparable sales growth of 3.1 percent in May. Performance by segment was as follows: U.S. up 2.4 percent; Europe up 2.3 percent; and Asia/Pacific, Middle East, and Africa up 4.3 percent.

McDonald's Tops BK, But Wendy's Still Has Most Buzz

For the first time since September, McDonald’s surpassed Burger King as a more “buzzed about” burger brand—but it’s still second to Wendy’s.

According to the YouGov BrandIndex, a consumer perception research service of brands, McDonald’s passed...

Latin American McD's Franchisee Appoints Board Member

Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc., Latin America's largest restaurant chain and the world's largest McDonald's franchisee, announced the appointment of Jose Alberto Velez, CEO of Cementos Argos, S.A., as an independent...

McDonald's Searches for the Perfect Pair

 McDonald's USA announced the top ten finalists of McDonald's Perfect Pair Contest, which kicked off the national launch of McCafe Frozen Strawberry Lemonade on May 9.

New Communications Leader In at McDonald's

McDonald's Corporation announced that Bridget Coffing, currently vice president of global external communications, has been promoted to senior vice president of McDonald's corporate relations.

In her new role, Coffing will be the chief communications officer for McDonald's and...

The Secret to 30 Years of Success at McDonald's
June 2011

Billions and billions sold. A veritable room full of creative awards, including the 4A’s “Best Five Year Campaign,” Advertising Age’s “Best Campaign of the Twentieth Century,” and the second-best Spokesclown of the Twentieth Century—not to mention a mess...

Would Your Crew Wear Mobile Ads?
June 2011

When Superior Uniform Group (sug) began manufacturing uniforms in 1920, chances are no one in the company ever thought it would launch a media division more than nine decades later. But in a sign of the times—in which more businesses than not are undergoing major technological...

Interpreting the Top 100
June 2011

Every year, many of us anxiously await the release of Technomic’s Fast Casual Top 100 report. Technomic’s Darren Tristano, one of the most knowledgeable people in the industry, gave me an interview and a sneak peek at the report. Here are his thoughts, followed by a few of my own....

McDonald's, Pokemon Pair Up

Pokemon Black·White-themed Happy Meals arrive in participating McDonald's stores across North America beginning June 17, 2011.

Pokémon fans visiting North American McDonald's locations June 17-July 7 can purchase a Happy Meal featuring one of eight McDonald's...

In the Crosshairs: Kids’ Marketing

Congress is encouraging the foodservice industry to self-regulate its marketing to kids, asking the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)—along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Agriculture—to create a...

McDonald's Wants Its Healthy Options to Be 'Just for You'

McDonald’s is personalizing its healthy-menu efforts by launching a new “Made Just for You” platform. The company debuted the new platform yesterday at its First Taste Event in New York City.

McCafé beverages, chicken-based options, and salads have all been placed under...

McDonald's Sales Jump in U.S., Europe, Asia

McDonald's Corporation announced global comparable sales growth of 6.0 percent in April. Performance by segment was as follows: U.S. up 4.0 percent; Europe up 6.5 percent; Asia/Pacific, Middle East, and Africa up 6.5 percent.

Trust Roy, It's Worth a Grand
May 2011

Once upon a time, there was a used car lot with a tan building, some pavement, and a lot of fast, gray cars, as well as one Volkswagen with no engine and a sign that read, “Great mileage.”

One warm day, lightning cracked in the West and pretty soon a storm hit. It hailed ball...