McDonald's is listed in chapter 9 as the number 2 global franchise. What have you noticed about McDonald's as you have traveled internationally?
Does it feel the same?
Is the food the same?
Should McDonald's use the same advertising globally or should they adapt to local tastes and cultures?
McDonald’s is everywhere in Europe, some were two or three stories high, and decorated with modern furniture. None of them had tv’s like the newer McDonald’s in America, and most were not open 24/7. In France the menu doesn’t have a variety of choices like we have here, and is more expensive than in the U.S. There is not a dollar menu (except in Amsterdam), and they have a separate place in the McDonald’s where customers could order coffee or croissants. In France there was free wi-fi but not in Italy, I still have no idea why. In one city that I visited in France they actually had a walk-up drive through.
ReplyDeleteThe feeling I got when I was there was not as rushed, and there was not any little kids going to play in the jungle gym. The burgers were the same, but the fries in the U.S. are much better. I did also notice that there is a difference in the way Coke tastes in the U.S. and in Europe. I have to say the Coke in Europe is so much better. I think McDonald’s should adapt to local tastes and cultures, because every culture is different and I think that every country I went to in Europe that McDonald’s was a little different to adapt to the difference in tastes and culture.
Christina
What have you noticed about McDonald's as you have traveled internationally?
ReplyDeleteDoes it feel the same?
Is the food the same?
Should McDonald's use the same advertising globally or should they adapt to local tastes and culture?
I have not personally done any international traveling but I have read and seen many different documentaries about how Mcdonald's has been able to appeal to varying markets internationally through simply adapting to various tastes and cultures. Through careful research Mcdonalds caters their menu and advertisements to varying and vastly different cultures. Therefore in certain instances the food, feel, and advertising is not always the same. Mcdonalds strong ability to adapt to varying cultures and demographic markets is what makes the company very successful as well as a well known brand.
I feel that McDonald's is the same all around Europe. The environment was pretty much the same. There are some that are fancier than others, but they all had the fast food atmosphere. The food does taste the same. I think it would help McDonald's to adapt to local tastes and cultures in different places because advertising is all about catching the viewer/consumer's eye. Even though they serve the same food everywhere, the advertisements need to fit with the culture to hit the target market.
ReplyDeleteI went to a McDonald's in France when I was really youny (I think 7th grade). I do not remember if I got anything to eat or not, but I do remember that the line to order was ridiculously long. I don't remember the atmosphere or anything. I do believe that they should adapt to the local tastes and culture. I read an article probably a couple years back about how the McDonald's in Hawaii served Spam. Apparently Spam is a big comfort food in Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteI have been to both Colombia and Spain, both of which had a McDonalds. I do not really eat McDonalds so I cannot tell you if the food tastes the same or not. One thing I did notice is that in Colombia they have freestanding McDonalds Postres, which was basically just a little shop that only sold McDonalds' deserts. I thought that was really cool, but I still did not venture to try it. A few of the people I was traveling with did though and they commented that the icecream was sweeter there, but I can't verify that because I didn't buy any.
ReplyDeleteI think that McDonalds does a good job of advertising globally as it is generally recognized internationally. I do believe that it is necessary to adapt to cultures to a certain extent, but not entirely. Changing the way the company runs in different countries would change the image and reputation of the company, which I think would have a detrimental effect.
I've noticed as we age, our tastes differ. When I was in college the first go round, long, long ago, I was addicted to McDs because it was right around the corner from school and the food tasted better.
ReplyDeleteOn trips into the City, I remember my friends and I singing "two whole beef patties, lettuce cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun" driving commuters on the train bonkers.
And then I got very very sick. Since then McDs has had a limited attraction to me. For the longest time it was just the fries, until I learned McDs cooks their fries with sugar and that's why they taste so good!
When my children where toddlers I had to take them there for the playground because some friends would only eat McDs. I managed with the salads. That was until friends of the friends started working with the US Dept of Agriculture. I know things I didn't ever want to know. Now, I'll only eat the Sausage McMuffin with Egg sandwich and even that is working its way out of my life.
My kids still like going to McDs and I will use it as a rest stop in a pinch. Better that than a gas station. I know the bathrooms will be clean.
The buildings have maintained an updated look and feel about them and that I like.
Having traveled to Ireland with my sister and living on donuts because we didn't like the local food, it's nice to know that now there are places you can go to where you will find food from home. I know that's not the point of traveling, but it helps.
I have not seen a McDonald's internationally yet.... but I have gone to New York and McDonald's up there are different from NC McDonald's. They are bigger, brighter, and have better service than the ones in NC. However, some of them are not drive thru. And the food is the same but the prices are mroe expensive.
ReplyDeleteI have not been to a McDonalds outside of the US yet. I recently went up to Manhattan, NY and stopeed at a McDonalds in Time Square for a bottle of water. I noticed that they did not have a value menu like we do in NC. I also noticed that they had nutritional information on their menu screens; infact, they had calories labeled under each meal and each sandwich. They alos kept their dining are clean and up to date with a lot of artwork hanging on the walls.
ReplyDeleteI have not been to McDonald's outside of this country before but I'm sure it would be different. I believe they would definitely have to adapt there advertisements and menu to fit different countries. Some cultures may not eat beef or chicken and some advertisements could offend the people of that country.
ReplyDelete