Saturday, January 31, 2009

McDonald's Soup


We're deep in the heart of winter (in the northern hemisphere) and McDonald's is serving up SOUP. What kinds of soup? According to the McDonald's website:
  • Vegetable Beef
  • Broccoli Cheese
  • Chicken Noodle
According to About.com, the most popular soups are:
  • Chicken noodle
  • Tomato
  • Minestrone
  • Vegetable
Campbells tells the top soups are:
  • Chicken Noodle
  • Tomato
Wikipedia chimes in with:
  • Chicken Noodle
  • Tomato
  • Cream of Mushroom
So, why is it that the #2 most popular soup, tomato, is missing from McDonald's menu? There's probably a good reason - The McChronicles would like to know.


The McChronicles: a blog about, not affiliated with, McDonald's. Image: KissTheHem blog.

15 comments:

Netts Nook said...

They don't like real tomatoes at Mc Donalds.

Anonymous said...

I feel like tomato soup isn't often seen at restaurants. It's commonly eaten at home, not when people go out to eat.

mckroes said...

Hi McChronicles,

I can tell you that in Portugal they serve soup the whole year round, it is called "Sopissima" this is the link for more info: http://www.mcdonalds.pt/#/all-products/product-caldoverde/

They have 6 soups:
-Caldo Verde
-Sopa a Lavrador
-Sopa de legumes
-Creme de cenoura
-Creme de agriao
-Creme de espinafres

This concept is also seen in Egypt at McDonald's:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/evissa/3020569400/

Kitlat said...

I would consider that the stats given by Campbells. Wikipedia and ABout.com are probably based on cans of soup sold vs. what customers will buy and consume if they are dining out. Tomato soup is a versatile ingredient.

Many people are more likely to cook with it than eat it by itself. The same might be said of Chicken Noodle, though less so.

RK said...

Kitlat makes a good point. A lot of people buy tomato soup, not to eat per se but to instead cook with.

I manage a McDonald's in rural Illinois and we stopped serving soups about five years ago. Even in our cold winters they just don't sell well as even I expected them to. Plus they are incredibly messy and result in a lot of burns for our crew members.

I do miss the vegetable beef though. It was quite tasty.

Unknown said...

McDonalds credit rating is better than Britain. That's awesome! Go McDonalds!

http://www.gotoguy.com/2008/12/11/supersize-with-that/

James Mortimer - Hospitality Improvement said...

Broccoli Cheese, what the hell?

And vegetable beef? Every vegetarian would be so amped, until they read the second word.

I agree with tomato, but the problem with tomato is, that it can taste rank without real tomatoes.....

McChronicles said...

@NETTS NOOK:
Please substantiate that comment.

From The McChronicles' experience, McDonald's puts forth a great effort to deliver high-quality food, especially in their salads/vegetables.

McChronicles said...

@RK:
The McChronicles blogs from the customers' perspective - so our angle is all about that. Your comment is refreshing because we ought to realize that actual PEOPLE are preparing and delivering our meals. The customer can't expect great service or product if the crew's process is arduous or dangerous.

Great point and insight. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Taste the real burger and tomato flavour soon at European Burger...Opening in the Champs Elysees next to Disney store :)
Spread the news and don't forget to check the website available very soon!!

Anonymous said...

McDonald's apparently test marketed soups way back in 1976. I saw some that year at the one in Downtown San Diego, across from the corporate headquarters (which offered all experimental items, regardless of the geographic location they were intended for).

They were packaged pre-made in cardboard coffee-type cups with lids, and held in a special slide-out rack with the lids, which had the 'M' on them, facing outwards.

No idea as to what kind of soups, but one cup was a sort-of sky blue and another was pea green. I believe there were three varieties.

Anonymous said...

The broccoli cheese soup is fantastic. I ate it way too much when I lived in Ohio. I've yet to find it at a McDonalds since I moved South, though.

PENNY STOCK INVESTMENTS said...

Old fashion campbals.

blogger said...

Living a healthy lifestyle
Get best Tips for your health

Anonymous said...

Je recommanderai à tous ceux qui recherchent un prêt commercial à Le_Meridian, ils m'ont aidé avec un prêt de quatre millions de dollars pour démarrer mon entreprise de courtepointe et c'était rapide. Ils peuvent financer jusqu'à 500 000 000 000 $ (cinq cent millions de dollars) dans n'importe quelle région du monde tant qu'un ROI de 1,9% peut être garanti sur les projets. Le processus a été rapide et sécurisé. Ce fut définitivement une expérience positive. Évitez les arnaqueurs ici et contactez Le_Meridian Funding Service sur. lfdsloans@lemeridianfds.com / lfdsloans@outlook.com. WhatsApp ... + 19893943740. si vous cherchez un prêt commercial.