The struggling fast-food giant's sales have fallen recently and their new CEO, Steve Easterbrook, unveiled a turnaround plan on Monday morning. And he did not mince words when discussing the company's problems.
Recognizing that recent performance was "poor" and that "the numbers don't lie" - some of the challenges he faces are:
But what Easterbrook really wants to change is the quality of the food and the stale brand image. He stressed that they need to innovate more. What do you think?
WHAT CHANGES WOULD HELP McDONALD'S?*
Tell us your thoughts and suggestions about their menu or brand image in the comments below
and you will be automatically entered to randomly win a $25 McDonald's Gift Card.
*This giveaway is open now through May 16th to USA residents over 18 years of age. No purchase necessary.
When I think of McDonald's, I don't think of fresh ingredients. I think of frozen everything and I believe that McDonald's may need to increase prices to offer fresh ingredients because its competitors are already doing this.
I think it would be great to have more fruit options, like fruit salad or something similar.
Definitely needs more variety of sides, like baked potatoes, small sizes of the salads and a total re-invention of the nuggets...they are gross!
I'd love to see (altho I can't really imagine this happening) McDonald's use organic beef. I am really a burger fan....but sometimes I am nervous about eating a McD burger. You know, the whole pink slime story from several years ago. I know they've said they aren't using that anymore....but it's a sort of sick (not in a good way) image in my mind. We do go there occasionally but I usually get a Filet-o-Fish instead. Using organic beef would cause me to purchase Big Macs, Quarter Pounders or Double Cheeseburgers, for sure!
There needs to be a greater ability for the customer to customize with fresher, more unique toppings, wraps/buns and dressings. This includes chicken, fish and burgers. The Create Your Taste concept is getting there, but it needs to expand to the drive-through and with more options. Also, it's great to hear of your app development with ability to pre-order, which would be great for guests in a hurry. Have you considered a concept where even fries could be customized (ie chili cheese fries) for the late night or snack crowd? It would be huge! It would get nice to have other late night options.
More healthy food ingredients less fillers and crap. I have noticed that fast food restaurants like Chick Fil A using real chicken but Mcdonalds chicken nuggets and mcchicken are not made of chicken. Frankly with Chipotle about the same price as Mcdonalds, with fresh ingredients and and better taste, why go to Mcdonalds? Chick Fil A tastes way better too. The burgers in mcdonalds are made of something that is not real meat. Like stomach linings and nasty things you throw away on animals. Also many of the resturants are dirty and the employees are not friendly.
I prefer Chipolte's or someplace that has local beef and fresh veggies. I only pay a dollar more for better quality, and it fills me up. I do buy my drink elsewhere most of the time, because of the price. I do love my Big Mac, but the quality has gone downhill at McDs. You hardly get any lettuce, and if you do get any, it's usually wilted or worse. They are also getting stingy with the onions and pickles! These are cheap! They increased the prices, but the food quality went down. It should have at least remained the same. There needs to be a standard, and the private restaurants are the worst in our area.
"Real quality meat" and fresh fruit, not the preserved crap in a bag. If they want to capitalize on something new, focus on a dessert, whether it's healthy or not people love dessert. Ice cream ontop fried plantain is my fav.
I would like the option to create my own value meals based on options provided for a certain price point. That way I am responsible for making my fast food meal as indulgent or healthy as I want it to be! As much as I like their fries, it concerns me that they are made with 19 different ingredients too. Less is sometimes more.
They need to focus on quality ingredients ahead of quantity.
I love the burgers but I would like a different variety of sides.
I love the Big Macs but I don't especially care for french fries of any kind! Why not offer a side of potato salad or a slaw or onion rings. Also, try having hot dogs!
McDonald's needs to focus more on the quality of the food they serve to consumers. It seems like they are focused more on the competition.
Soup!
Start with one thing and ride with it for awhile, let it be your new signature item that is great quality and make sure the employees care about presentation and quality! I have been to many Mcdonalds where you get a burger that looks like its slopped together.