Spicing Up Your Holiday Season

Image taken from Brandeating.com

Pumpkin Spice Latte

 

       McDonald's ran a test of a Pumpkin Spice Latte  in Alabama to create an expectation of possible buzz. McDonald's is in direct competition with Starbucks and Dunkin' with the introduction of the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Fortunately, McDonald's has an competitive advantage over both competitors because they are the CHEAPEST!!! McDonald's is able to maintain taste, quality, and brand esteem at lower price. Another advantage is busy MacDonald's consumers do not have to make MULTIPLE trips to different locations. Mom can have her Latte, Dad can have his burger and the kids are satisfied with their Happy Meal which includes a toy and they NEVER have to step foot out of the car. HANDS DOWN McDonald's will totally dominate pumpkin latte experience between it two competitors.  

*Article Link http://investorplace.com/2012/10/mcdonalds-reveals-holiday-menu/

 

_Gwendolyn Satchell

Tis' the Season To Enjoy McDonalds Warm Holiday Pies

Image taken from brandeating.com

The holidays season is fast approaching and McDonald's is looking to dominate its competition like always during this season. McDonald's is launching the release of a whole entire Holiday menu. This menu will include pies shakes and the Mcflurry.


Thier Sweet Holiday pie includes a baked sugar-cookie like pie crust with confetti sprinkles mixed in and a custard filling.




Image Taken from Justapinch.com

The Cheer Up Egg shakes include a blend of Egg nog syrup in a vanilla milkshake. YUMM!!!






McDonald's is aware that many people who are already health conscious and watching their wight are extremely sensitive during the Holiday season. In consideration of the health conscious consumer McDonald's has created a reduced-fat soft-serve ice cream with peppermint candy and mint syrup served only during this holiday season. GET YOUR SWEETS AND BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN YOUR FIGURE THIS SEASON #WINNING

Image taken from abcnews.go.com

The last two items to be included in the hopliday menu are:  Baked Pumpkin Pie and McCafe Pumpkin Shake. These items are exclusively sold at select McDonald's.  Many of the Greater Los Angles area locations will not sell this product as many Southern Californians are not as Pumpkin receptive as those individuals in other parts of the world. MCDONALDS KNOWS THIER CUSTOMERS BEST!

McDonald’s pie with a pumpkin filling

Image taken from Brandeatimg.com

Image taken from brandeating.com

Reduced-fat vanilla soft-serve ice cream with pumpkin syrup, whipped cream and a cherry






Hope you enjoy Americas favorite fast food restaurants specially created with the consumer in mind Holiday Menu Click here for more information on the new product sensations.

_Gwendolyn Satchell

How McDonald's Canada Makes their Fries

McDonald's Canada is revealing their methods of making the world's famous fries. The video shows the process "from the farm to all the way to the fryer." Along the way, Scott Gibson, manager of the company's supply chain, answers some of the customers' questions. The first question Gibson addresses is whether or not the potatoes used by the fast food restaurant are real. Angelo Levesque, a potato farmer, discusses how the potatoes are harvested and sorted at the farm. After that they are brought to McCain, the company's fries supplier, to be prepared before heading to restaurants. Mario Dupuis, production manager at McCain, explains that the fries are washed to remove the rocks and dirt and then put through a "peeling system." The fries are then washed in a textural solution to give it the "nice even coat we see in the restaurants." Ingredients are added to prevent the fries from greying or oxidizing. Afterwards, they are dried and fried for 45 to 60 seconds. Finally, they are frozen, packaged and shipped to restaurants. Once at the restaurants, the fries are deep-fried in 100 percent vegetable oil. They are salted with about 1 tablespoon of salt per four orders of medium fries. The fries are ready to serve at this point. The video goes though the process in detail. I find it quite entertaining and informative to watch. I am a loyal fan of McDonald's fries, so watching this video allows me to understand how they make the fries so tasty and addicting. I hope you guys enjoy watching.

Article link: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/10/mcdonalds-canada-reveals-how-they-make-famous-fries/

- Hanli Tjahyono

The McJordan Barbecue Sauce

McJordan BBQ sauce has been around since 1992 and is finally being sold.

Mort Bank, a man who used to own McDonald's restaurants in North Dakota, sold a 20-year-old container of McJordan barbecue sauce through eBay. He saved the gallon jug of sauce after selling his McDonald's restaurants. He told The Bismarck Tribune that it was in his basement and that he would look at it occasionally. It sold for $9,995 Monday night to a buyer from Chicago. According to Bank, "Michael Jordan was the first burger that was actually named after an individual, and it had cheese, bacon, barbecue sauce, and a couple other menu items." Who ever bought the barbecue sauce must have been a Bulls fan or a Michael Jordan fan. It probably won't be a good idea to open the jug and put it on some ribs or hamburger and eat it. He would most likely get sick. I wonder what it would taste like when it was made in 1992. I don't remember seeing an advertisement on the McJordan sauce during that year. It was quite an idea to combine arguably the best basketball player in the world with a McDonald's barbecue sauce.

Article link: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57534525/former-mcdonalds-restaurant-owner-sells-20-year-old-mcjordan-barbecue-sauce-for-$10000/

- Hanli Tjahyono

Angry Birds / McDonalds... legit?

McDonald's in China team up with Rovio for an Angry Birds themed location.  This allows customers to play special games while in the restaurant.  They have also hooked up with TBWA/Shanghai and TBWA Gamelab who have created special modes and free power-ups on their iOS devices.  

Customers are given the opportunity to vote on a city to have an actual slingshot outside of that McDonald's.  Talk about giving back to the people!!!  They have been doing an amazing job getting the customers involved in decisions which helps market the company.  I think it help because... If someone asks for you opinion, you are put in a position where you believe they care what you think and are interested in what you have to say.  Whether or not you care its still nice to keep people involved.  You'll be willing to go to McDonald's before jack in the box because they wanted your opinion.

Ricky Madrigal

MKT450

TEAM GRH  

Video Link: http://adage.com/article/creativity-pick-of-the-day/mcdonald-s-china-partners-angry-birds-special-edition-gameplay/237906/

*** sub titles are shown for people like myself who do not understand the language ***

McDonald sues Milan for evection...

McDonald's sues Milan over eviction from Galleria

McDonald's has sued the city of Milan for 24 million Euros in damages over being kicked out of a tourist-packed shopping arcade, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, after the U.S. fast food chain had rented the space for 20 years.

Its pretty obvious that McDonald's has been successful at that location and its a shame they were evicted because they want a second "PRADA" store to replace that location.  Having someone rent a place for 20 years is pretty concrete and should have some sort of law protecting them.  Nevertheless, they're renting.  

McDonald's went out with a bang, as they served 5,000 free burgers, fries and drinks from NOON - 4PM earlier today.  There's no better way to leave, but with a bang.  Its unfortunate, but McDonald's made the best of it.

-Ricky Madrigal

MKT450

TEAM GRH

McDonalds Goes Green with McRecycle®

Image taken from georgetown.tas.gov.au

          McDonald's recognizes that being a good global citizen means helping to maintain the earth that we all live on. McDonald's understands that the earth with not always be plentiful and bountiful. For this McDonald’s has made efforts to increase awareness of recycling in order to help sustain Earth. Their efforts reach from the supply chain to their restaurants.

 

 

         In the early 90's, McDonald’s Austria developed and began implementing McRecycle®. McRecycle® is a waste-management concept that focuses on the input and the output of materials. Currently, packaging represents the largest group of materials made from renewable and recyclable resources. McDonald's strategic plan first includes avoiding and reducing as much waste  as possible. the next part of the plan is to simply recycle everything that is left over.


         In order for the plan to take action materials used for packaging were processed and stripped of non-essential elements. Next, specially trained employees are to guarantee correct waste separation. this occurs inside of each restaurant. The waste is then compressed and finally collected by a recycling company.


Image taken from junkmailgemsblog.blogspot.com


 

                                                  
        As a result 95 percent of the restaurant’s waste from the kitchen and from the dining room is being recycled. Only 5 percent goes to a landfill or the incinerator. Food waste is collected and composted. All used cooking oil is recycled into bio fuel for the company’s trucks. And there you have it America McDonald's is not wasting anything.





         Lastly here's a comic to laugh about and remind you to Go Green and Recycle if major corporations can at least attempt to adapt this initiative so can we! 

*Article Link- http://bestpractices.mcdonalds.com/sections/1-best-of-green
-Gwendolyn Satchell

 

The McRib Keeps Getting Yanked From the Menu

The McRib appears and disappears from the menu every year.

It appears that the McRib sandwich is not popular enough to remain permanently on the McDonald's menu. According to the article, "The McRib, as everyone knows, is McDonald's weird, secret weapon. It comes and goes, seemingly at random, taunting the barbecue pork sandwich's famously rabid fans. Last year, the McRib dropped in the latter half of December, for instance." In my opinion, I think McRib is quite delectable. I would think that it should remain on the menu. The McRib sandwich consists of ribs, onions, pickles, and barbecue sauce in between two long sesame buns. I especially enjoy the barbecue sauce that comes with the sandwich. Like Christmas, "the McRib functions as 'a great piece of buzzy news that surprises and delights, late in the year on the marketing calendar.'" I guess it keeps customers anticipating the time when McRib will appear again. In that case, it could be a good marketing strategy.

Article link: http://www.businessinsider.com/why-mcdonalds-mcrib-isnt-available-2012-10

- Hanli Tjahyono

McDonald's employees sue co-worker, alleging lottery fraud

Here is the story about a McDonalds worker who won the lotto in Maryland.  It was about a year ago when it all happened and just today its being put out to the public.  Read more on the link provided.  I didnt understand why someone would not ask for a copy of the lotto tickets when purchased as a group, why no one demanded or forced her to give up the copies.  Whenever i do something in a group, I always ask for a copy and even a signature incase things like this happen, with proof of this... none of this would have happened.  Also, writing a check and writing a reason would help ensure what was purchased.


Ricky Madrigal
MKT450
TEAM GRH

Link:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/10/09/mcdonald-employees-sue-co-worker-for-alleged-lotto-fraud/

Ronald McDonald Receives a New Toyota

Ronald McDonald jumps for joy over the donation of a Toyota Sienna minivan to the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey in Camden

Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey has received a Toyota Sienna as a gift from Holman Toyota of Mount Laurel, NJ. Toyota's "100 Cars for Good" program is a major philanthropic effort to give "new vehicles to 100 nonprofit organizations over the course of 100 days, based on votes from the public." Ronald McDonald Houses, a charity organization, provide a "home-away-from-home" for families that have children who are hospitalized, so that they could commute near by. According to the article, " this is the second year of the 100 Cars for Good program, which kicked off in May with applicants entering for a chance to win a new Toyota. Applications were reduced to 500 finalists and certified by an independent panel of judges. Then the finalists submitted online profiles to encourage friends and supporters to vote for them on the Toyota USA Facebook page, with five finalists up for consideration by the public each day." This is great news for the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey. They will "use their new Toyota to transport families staying at the House to hospitals in South Jersey, Philadelphia and the surrounding region for medical treatments their children are undergoing." The organization needs the new vehicle to do their important work. It creates a good reputation to the McDonald's Corporation. I'm glad they were considered by Toyota to be awarded a new minivan.

Article link: http://uspolitics.einnews.com/pr_news/117748977/ronald-mcdonald-gets-new-wheels

- Hanli Tjahyono

MONOPOPLY RETURNS TO McDONALDS

Image taken from justforgamer.com

         The Monopoly Game at McDonalds is an annual sweepstakes that has been successful in continuing for many years. Monopoly at McDonald's offers big prizes that are worth up to a million dollars. Each prize is won through game pieces that are placed on a food item or online. THERE IS NO PURCHASE NESSECARY. The grand prize is one million dollars in addition to many other cash prizes, as well as free McDonald’s food, electronics, coupons for stores, and much more.

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          Moreover, McDonalds is faced with the challenge of keeping the tradition of monopoly developed by Hasbro and keeping the buzz going for this campaign. For example, in 2004, McDonalds introduced an online game that gave in-store players a “Second Chance to Win.” In 2006, McDonalds switched from offering merchandise prizes to emphasizing cash winnings. as a result, in each of the last three years, October sales jumped 5% to 6% each year.

McDonald's research suggests that customers who didn't join the game in the first two weeks were less likely to play at all and another change was made. The $5 million grand   prize offered in 2006 was replaced with four weekly grand prizes of $1 million.

Today Click Here for Official Game Rules and Prizes!!!!!!!! The rules to play this game change depending on the data acquired from prior years. IT’S SIMPLE

 Article Link: http://www.dmnews.com/mcdonalds-monopoly-push-uses-online-marketing-support/article/73714/

    

 -GwendolynSatchell



National Coffee Day, WTF?

Did you get YOUR FREE COFFEE?

Thats right America... FREE!

McDonald's participated in the National Coffee Day which was celebrated on  september 29th and extended until the 30th.  As long as McDonalds continue to be part of events like these and give back to the people they will continue to be nothing less than successful.  Some may look at this as a LOSS and yes, technically it is.  What people or the average individual fail to realize is that you have to spend some to make some.  McDonalds is a reputable company and holds its reputation by doing things like this.  McDonalds gave away FREE small Cafe's at 2 Midtown locations.

They just started with their whole Monopoly game again but not everyone plays the games yet... many take advantage of the prizes and giveaways they offer.  McDonalds is always in the loop and will continue to because of their current marketing strategy. Great Job! 

http://middletown-ct.patch.com/articles/free-cuppa-joe-stop-by-middletown-mcdonalds-for-mccafe

Ricky Madrigal

MKT450

TEAM GRH

The M Channel

Do you want TV with those fries?

Customers tune in on the McDonald's channel while eating at the restaurant.

McDonald's has created the M Channel for customers to watch at their restaurants. According to the article, "the channel's aim is to offer exclusive content to entertain customers. More ambitiously, it also intends to create promotional and sales opportunities for record companies and others who want to dive into McDonald's vast customer pool." This television program has the potential to be a "broadcast network with its own news, entertainment and sportscasts localized for cities and even neighborhoods." By watching the M channel, people can "get details on a featured electronic toy or be the first to download a music video." This marketing tool allows many companies to make their advertisements through this television channel. Not only is it to help make advertisements, "M Channel's goal is to target different audiences at different times of day and be so area-specific that a restaurant could show high school football game highlights to hometown fans." I believe McDonald's made a good move in creating a television channel. Loyal customers can be influenced by the televised marketing and feel connected to the community. I have yet to watch the channel, but I feel that it would be similar to the channel I would watch at Loker Student Union's food court. The university channel provides entertainment such as music videos, commercials, and news. I think the M channel would do the same except the target audience is not only college students, but everyone.

Article link: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/business/story/2012/09/26/mcdonalds-asks-tv-with-those-french-fries/57846118/1

- Hanli Tjahyono

McDonald's Renovations: A New Look In Fast-Food Dining

Old exterior
 image taken from geyerdecoratingllc.com

        We all know McDonald's to be amongst the worlds largest growing chains in fast food now imagine them a competitor in the cafe dinning experience. By 2015 McDonald's is expected to have renovated each of their locations worldwide to a more sleeker, modern look. This new look is designed to invoke simplicity. 
    
         The multi-billion dollar renovation project is expected to include flat screens, half moon booths, more single person seating, a single exterior arch, and high bar tables amongst many other changes.


Renovated Look note the single arch
image taken from greenbeanchicago.com
 

          According to Leah Goldman from Business Insider the exterior will be built using stone, porcelain tile or stucco and McDonald's will replace the bright red pointed roofs with flatter roofing.
         The interior design will get rid of  the classic bright reds and yellows customers are used to and feature a more muted, relaxing color scheme.
       The lighting will be more contemporary, instead of bright fluorescent, and the seating is expected to be more comfortable. 
       Lastly, the dining area will be divided into separate rooms to accommodate needs. For example still including the children's play/party room plus television and internet rooms.


Here's a link to her article: http://www.businessinsider.com/remodeled-mcdonalds-photos-2011-5?op=1#ixzz285O8aP23



New Interior design note flat screens and personal seating
image taken from timesunion.com



image taken from Chicagotribune.com

            McDonald's still manages to maintain their family brand image while transitioning to a more cafe dinning restaurant for business clients all across the globe.                              



image taken from chicagotribune.com

-Gwendolyn Satchell