Mac -Donald's - sales continue to decline

[asphaltgambler]

You know this story is everywhere recently and got me to thinkin a bit............................Mickey-D's core business seems lost in their current model; namely good burgers / fries quickly and served piping hot. They are all over the place and seem to be playing catch-up with other more modern / trendy joints. The number of items on the menu continues to grow but today a Big Mac costs a whopping $5 ! AND more importantly the taste is gone by the wayside as well.


I know my taste buds have evolved since I was 16 but d@mn! the food is different / worse. I know because I worked at the local MD back in the day as a teenager and something with the burgers have changed. They do not taste 'fresh' anymore. When I say 'fresh' it is from frozen patties, but then fried on the grill top back then. Also the buns seem to have changed too..............for the worse. Today more dry / flaky where years past they were moist / dense.

We have discussed this before but I really do think the quality / taste of their core product is the problem these days. John Q public now rates Mickey-D's as the worst tasting burger compared to their direct competitors. Ouch!

[maxnine11]

[herr_oberst]

The last time I ate at McDonald's is the last time I'll eat at McDonald's.

[Rick Lee]

McD's is fast breakfast food only for me. There's an In-N-Out just as close as the nearest McDs. Whataburger, Five Guys and Sonic are all nearby too. I can't believe anyone buys McD's burgers anymore. They suck.

[sammyg2]

The last time i went there they told me i had to go wait over there for 5 minutes while they made me a burger with no onions.
Yep, that was the last time I went there. I believe that was back in the early 90's.

[Rick V]

I have not eaten at one of those artery clogging crap baskets in twenty years, and I don't miss it. They should stop calling it a big mac and just call it a mac.
Lets all remember that in Europe the quarter ponder is called the Royaaaaal

[GH85Carrera]

There is a McDonald's within a 1/2 mile of my house. I have not ever set foot in the place after 19 years of living in the area. I do stop at McDonald's while on road trips. The bathrooms are decent and the breakfast quick food is OK. My last visit to a McDonald's was in Monterey before hitting the road back home.

[asphaltgambler]

So does anyone here know why or what has changed specifically (other than my observations)? Any restaurant / business people chime in?

[flipper35]

The burgers have gotten so full of salt I can't stand them. They don't sell hot mustard for the chicken-like nuggets any longer and the Big Mac gives my GI tract some serious fits. Like fetal position on the floor fits.

They still have pretty good fries. Can't make a meal of fries though.

Oh yeah, the last time I was at one the bathroom was pretty clean. Good thing since I was throwing up at the time.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

They stopped using pink slime, so that's a point in their favor.

[stomachmonkey]

I might eat in a McDonalds maybe once a year if I'm starving and there is no readily handy roadkill to strap to the top of my engine and cook while I drive.

That **** is not food.

On the rare occasions I have it within 15 minutes I encounter some really uncomfortable intestinal distress that lasts for hours.

[Evans, Marv]

I'm guilty of stopping by and getting one or two cheese burgers from the cheap menu from time to time. Mostly when I'm starving and want something fast & filling and don't mind it feeling like a lump in my gut for the rest of the day. If you're old enough, you see this happening with everything - and I mean everything. Food wise, not only can't you cook things in good old butter or lard anymore (mmmm!), but you have to start cutting every corner you can to produce a product that's still competitive price wise. This means cheaper ingredients, fillers, and who know what else. It's only going to continue down hill through time. Just think how the kids from now will fondly remember fifty years from now the good tastes of things they are eating now. Sad. Maybe by then there will be artificial food they can make taste like old time food.

[widgeon13]

intelligent people don't eat at McD's. It is ridiculously expensive considering what you get and unhealthy.

McD's - "Making Stupid People Fatter Than They Already Are"

[Oh Haha]

I have had their cheeseburgers a couple of times I the past few months and each time resulted in similar issues with my tummy as others have posted here.

I would rather sit at a "coney island" type place than be sick. On the rare occasion that we HAVE to eat out we go anywhere but McDs. I make supper every night now anyway.

[Rikao4]

it's simply awesome if you and your kids are fat...
or you want to just shut them up..
were else can you find comfort and camaraderie...
for your rolli polli self and 150 lbs 10 yr old..
the place is full of wannabee diabetics...
and the staff just smiles when you...
when you order that 32 oz bucket of diet coke..

Rika

[on2wheels52]

krikey, we called them "gut bombs" 40 years ago
Jim

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

krikey, we called them "gut bombs" 40 years ago
Jim

Haven't eaten at McD's in eons....but in my youth, they were the "good stuff"....
Krystal/White Castle's at 4am were the "gut bombs" .

I don't consume a fraction of the burgers I did as a youngin', but there are a several REALLY good local burger chains/joints that put all the national chains to shame....
Just had one yesterday as a matter of fact

[MrAlien]

for one there is a lot more competition these days, and quite frankly their food is terrible when compared to their competition.

[jorian]

McDonald's is the world's largest: commercial real estate owner, cattle company, toy distributor, etc. They market the burgers so their franchisees can make their lease payments.

World's thinnest book - Ronald McDonald's book on nutrition.

I confess a liking for their fries though....

[scottmandue]

I admit the burgers are way too salty and way too expensive... we used to have one literally a few feet from my work and I have to also admit to giving in to a junk food fix there now and then.
However that McD's closed and I won't go out of my way for a Big Mac or quarter pounder.
But after all we are talking fast food burgers here... not exactly health food... sure 'In and Out' tastes WAY better, however not really good for you either.

+10,000 they are marketed to children