The United States of America, birthplace of McDonald's, will finally get a McCafe.
The South Utica (NY) McDonald's (store #: 18030) was the scene of a very special McChronicles moment several years ago. We co-celebrated a friend's birthday AND the grand opening of the (then) world's newest McDonald's.
"I attracted some attention from customers as I was moving around trying to find a better signal. Four young, professional looking guys asked if I was a student at the nearby DeVry location (I'm not). They were pretty wowed by the keyboard and wireless and the whole nine yeards. Then some high-school kids wondered if it was a real computer and if I worked for McDonalds to get the Wi-Fi access (I don't)."
Throughout the world McDonald's has become much more than a place to grab a quick bite to eat. For many it has become THE place to meet, interact, and spend some time out of the house. Today's McChronicles field report certainly contains it's share of human interest - to a point.
The McChronicles recently posted about an experience with the Sarasota, FL "Top 100" McDonald's. The entire experience was very good, but it didn't feel special or anything.
We admit it, The McChronicles pays the occasional visit to the Miss McDonald website. We also admit that her activity seems just plain strange. But who are we to judge?
In a slight turn of The Monster Mash, or of today's American Express "rogue's gallery of commercial mascots" we now have iconic fast food icons serving as Halloween characters.Thanks to David Krane of Kraneland for this holiday tribute to fast food.
Image: Kraneland.com
He's no Hamburgular, but he's pretty cool. This guy is awesome at making hamburgers appear and disappear.
The McChronicles invited in some "adult supervision" after we spouted off about how McDonald's should counter the amusing Burger King commercial. Of course, we turned to one of the world's leading pundits on multiple communications platforms (word of mouth, blogging, podcasting, et al), Matt Galloway, of The Basement. Matt's response was, as expected, spot-on. A big "NO".
A team of highly-sophisticated sleuths have dedicated themselves to tracking down Ronald McDonald, wherever he may be (as long as he is in a Singapore McDonald's restaurant).
A focus group of four adult males visited the New Hartford, NY McDonald's recently - the service was simply awesome.
Who in America can forget that riveting and scandalous TV commercial that depicted (and we quote from an archived USA Today article), "a pale British streaker, clad only in a pair of Nike Shox NZ shoes and a scarf, races across the field and through the stands during a London soccer game. His Shox keep him a step ahead of British bobbies and guards." It was powerful - and it established the new order in the sneaker world. View the Nike streaker ad.
But ... within a few days ... WHAM!!!UPDATE 05 October: Perhaps legal action by McDonald's against Burger King for a similar incident is why McDonald's wouldn't consider "Reeboking" Burger King. But the rules are different in the USA. Witness the Jimi Hendrix Pepsi-Coke Crossroads ad. Go for it!
A McChronicles team had the recent pleasure of visiting one of America's Top 100 McDonald's. This gem is in Sarasota, Florida at 6347 S. Tamiami Trail (not to be confused with other McDonald's in the area).
Our original plan was to sample the Drive Thru, but the exterior looked so plain that we simply HAD to explore the interior. The seashore motif was light and playful.
The store was very clean, the service was friendly (not too inspired), and the food was just what we hoped for.
We don't know the performance criteria required to become a Top 100 restaurant, but this store really didn't feel special.
Bottom line - we got exactly what the brand promises: Fast food, nice staff, clean environment, and a great lunch.
Images: The McChronicles
In a previous post, we mused about the source of this (and others) image.
The McChronicles cracks up every time we view the newNFL football Burger King commercials. (view burger king football commercial 1, view burger king football commercial 2)
This is a site activity map for the McChronicles. Each dot represents the location of each of our last 100 visitors.
What's this? Apparently someone is seriously attempting to combine fashion with the world's most famous fast-food clown.
The McChronicles was passing through Newark (EWR) airport with a few minutes to spare. As usual, this was also accompanied by a hankerin' for a bite to eat. Positioned exactly where it was needed was a really nice food court, featuring - you guessed it - a McDonald's restaurant.
This restaurant sits nicely in the middle of a spacious, clean open area between terminal wings - and right in a very nice food court. The golden arches and a large "Ronald" tip you off that a McDonald's is available long before you can look into the court.
After 4 minutes the food arrived in great shape.
McDonald's has just announced a new ad campaign, named "My First". In a press release dated today, the campaign is touted as featuring people whose first jobs were at McDonald's.
OK, so it is great to LOOK at a fresh, new Big Mac (previous post). But EATING a Big Mac is a different story.
quite successfuly. Ladies and gentlemen, we offer you The McPamper:
into the box
contained (allowing for full ingredient delivery), the sandwich remains organized and intact, and clothes stay neat, with no embarassing staining.
Loyal readers will note a few previous posts that include references to the neat, trim, and tidy appearance of Big Macs. This has become a consistent theme during the McChronicles visits.
The bottom line is that we consistently receive Big Macs that look awesome - worldwide - every time. This is a much better track record than the paper-wrapped hamburgers and cheeseburgers (that frequently look like they've been prepared in haste). 
McDonald's reimaging campaign, an attempt to keep their stores fresh and relevant, seems to be in high gear. The McChronicles have noted numerous campaigns to remodel and to rebuild "tired" stores.
According to a story on the wbdj7.com website, "A new McDonald's restaurant is about to open in the Roanoke Valley. While that isn't news, what the place now looks like is". In addition to the, fireplaces, big screen tvs, video game center, wood paneling, paintings, and light fixtures, the big expected upgrade is in service. Read more.
And it's the same in Lakeland, Florida, as it is in Payson, Arizona, as it is in Charlestown, West Virginia, as it is in South Glens Falls, New York. On and on it goes. Look for a reimaged McDonald's in your area. The McChronicles has seen many and they are really great.
Top Image: McDonald's Netherlands website
In a previous posting the McChronicles noted a McDonald's bicycle in China. We assumed it was for deliveries but have never been able to confirm this. We were unable to locate the bike during a recent trip to China. Here is a previously-posted image of the bike. 
Our lunch arrived in style, on schedule, and contained in well-sealed, insulated packs. Surprisingly, the beverages were quite cold, with a lot of ice remaining (since Singapore is just 1-degree north of the equator it is HOT). Only the fries suffered (as they always do - everywhere - when there is a lag in time between cooking and eating). The price for the food and the service was fair.
Images: McChronicles
So, if you're in Shanghai over the weekend, like this little guy, carve out some time, fill out an application, and take the tour.
As in other countries, China enjoys a few McCafés.The McChronicles observed a few McCafés and found them all to be neat, clean, and fast.
According to bizjournals, in a 2001 release "McCafe was first introduced in Australia in 1993 and has become a successful enterprise in 17 countries with almost 300 McCafes worldwide. McDonald's is introducing McCafe for the first time in the U.S., making this the 18th country to debut the concept. All McCafes are within or adjacent to existing full-service traditional McDonald's restaurants. "
We wonder if this is getting too far removed from the core McDonald's brand or if it is an excellent marketing move. Only time will tell. We do know that the McCafé was analyzed by no less than the fine people at Harvard. Find their 2004 report at Harvard Business Online.
Image: McChronicles
Jan-Willem is looking GREAT as he sports his McChronicles golf shirt in the Netherlands. Look below for a previous post to see how you can get your own McChronicles shirt.
