McDonald's: The Secret of Their Success

I read that article. One of the women interviewed stops there almost every business day for a "snack" of a burger, fries, and soda after her night shift. *shakes head*

Yes, it's sadly so true, and affects people of all ages, like some elderly relatives I know that go to McDonald's on a weekly basis. A few months ago while visiting with them they were telling me about the chicken snack wrap and how healthy it was. First, it's made with regular white flour tortillas (refined grains, hydrogenated oils) rather than at least whole wheat tortillas; the main filling content is breaded, fried chicken pieces, along with a small amount of shredded iceberg lettuce. If people think that is healthy, no wonder our country has such problems.

While I agree the food they serve is crap, as the owner of a small business, I have nothing but respect for McDonald's business strategies. After reading a case study about them, I implemented 3 strategies they'd based their business on and saw my own business grow threefold over the course of 4 months.

I love that picture!
I had no idea they had things like cafes and widescreen TVs. So it's hip to eat at McDonalds now? I think I'll pass. What a terrible excuse for food.

Claire, a lot of stores here now have 4 or 5 computers with broadband and sometimes a wi-fi network you can use too. I don't think the US ones are doing that yet, but Burker King had just arrived in the country offering the wi-fi and the free refills for the soda, so they had to top it somehow.

So who is twisting people's arm to eat at Fast Food Restaurants? Isn't it about time that people started taking responsibility for their own actions? If there wasn't a market for this, these businesses would not be so successful. WAKE UP....

I wish people would take responsibility for their actions, or show willpower, or just say no, but that isn't what has or will happen. If things are to be different, other answers must be found. Because, like it or not, or believe it or not, we are in trouble. Or as Ashley would say, we are in deep dark chocolate!:-)

I don't eat at McDonald's, never have. I don't care how many whistles and bells they add, or how good their business strategies are--their food is lousy. No thanks.

Of course their food is lousy! (But so are cigarettes.) The high fat, sugar and salt contents are addictive and that is the problem and the real secret to their success.

?WHAT THE H*** IS HEALHY FOR YOU NOW AND DAY .H*** SOME SAY VEGTABLE ARE GOOD FOR THEN SOMEONE WILL COME RIGHT BEHIND THEM AND SAY THEY ARE NOT!!!SO WHAT SRE WE REALLY SOPPOSE TO EAT I SO TRIED OF THESE YO-YO DIETS PROMISE THE WORLD, BUT ALL THEY DO IS EMPTY YOUR POCKETS.

iris smith: If I had to pick one single source to hand to a person and say "here, this is what you should be eating", it would be Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig. As far as weight loss goes, just switch to natural foods and stay active. When your habits change in a positive direction, so will your body.

To be honest - i'm like, addicted to McDonalds. But theres also a McDonalds right by me, most of my friends work there (i'm 15, and theres not many places that hire people 14-15 so most of my friends got jobs there), and I mean, if i'm at wal-mart and get hungry its right there. I find the food pretty good. Although I haven't had it much since christmas break (went to l.a for a week after it where i couldnt find one so i ate subway instead, and then been too busy with school and my new friends don't have a mcdonalds on the way to their house) I still love it.

I find that McDonald's IS in fact responsible for a lot of the obesity in the U.S. It's true that everyone chooses whether or not they eat at a fast-food restaurant, but McDonald's is very dishonest with their information.

In their advertisements, McDonald's fools people into thinking that their food is much healthier than it actually is. I saw one commercial for their new types of salads where women were talking about losing weight by eating them (By the way, most fast-food salads have as many or more calories than most of their popular sandwiches).

When people see these types of advertisements, they rarely feel the need to look at nutritional info at the restaurant. They assume that the food is healthy. Most people don't think of trans fats, saturated fats, sodium levels, and various other aspects of their food. A lot of people don't even know the difference between the different types of fats.

Also, most people think the exercise they get burns a lot more calories than it actually does.

When it comes down to it, in my opinion, the majority of American people are uninformed, mislead, and tricked into thinking they can have health AND convenience through a fast-food chain. That just simply isn't true. McDonald's is the leader in creating this hype.

So to sum it up: YES, McDonald's should be held responsible for being a leading cause of obesity in America.

Staci said:
YES, McDonald's should be held responsible for being a leading cause of obesity in America.[...]

I think the 24 hour day is not to keep us eating all day, but to recognize the consumers want flexibility. We don't all want to be locked into breakfast at 7 am, lunch at noon, dinner at 6 pm mode. I for one think that is great.

It is possible to lose weight while eating nowhere but McDonald's, which has been demonstrated. I don't like the food all that much, but I don't blame it for fattening anyone.