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