"Big Mac: Inside the McDonald's Empire"

According to the CNBC website:

"Big Mac: Inside The McDonald's Empire" will premiere on Wednesday, July 25th at 9PM and 12AM ET. The show repeats on the following dates:

* Monday, July 30th at 9PM and 12AM ET
* Sunday, August 5th at 10PM and 1AM ET
* Tuesday, August 7th at 9PM and 12AM ET
* Tuesday, August 28th at 9PM and 12AM ET
* Sunday, September 2nd at 10PM and 1AM ET

The McChronicles watched this special and enjoyed it considerably. We were a bit surprised to hear the feeble negative commentary offered by a couple of people on the show. It seemed that the best they could muster were things like this:

• McDonald's largest burgers have a lot of calories
• some of the food McDonald's sells is not really great for a person
• etc.

We felt that the McDonald's executives interviewed did an excellent job of answering all questions openly and frankly. We really liked it when Jim Skinner agreed that certain combos had a lot of calories. He shared that people have to be responsible for their food choices.

It bothers us that most anti-McDonald's people point out that certain McDonald's items aren't high-quality foods while:

• ignoring the fact that some McDonald's offerings are, in fact, excellent choices
• failing to mention that EVERY mainstream grocery store also offers items which are not high-quality foods

We all know that the critics are blind to these issues since it does little to suit their purposes or gain them their 15 minutes of fame.

Be sure to check out the show's special detailed website which offers:

• program highlights
• a video gallery
• background on the show host

We would love to know what you thought of the CNBC McDonald's special report. Please comment.

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

China Basketball Promo

China is understandably proud of the Olympics which are coming soon. One of the hottest sports in these games will be basketball, thanks in no small part to the popularity of Yao Ming.

As a major sponsor of the Olympiad, McDonald's is whipping up the roundball fervor by promoting the sport (and the NBA) with a special sandwich and special tray liners.

The McChronicles was pleased to experience this promotion.

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

McDonald's 25th Anniversary Celebration

The McChronicles was on hand when Malaysia celebrated 25 years with McDonald's - in April 2007. Here are some shots from a Penang store that we enjoyed frequently that month.


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

Double Filet-O-Fish???

The McChronicles snapped this photo in Singapore - not sure which store (we hate it when we lose track). Either way ... Double Filet-O-Fish??? That's right.


Let us know if you have this sandwich on your McDonald's.

And remind us which store this is, please.

Thanks!

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

The Summer Of Love (40 years later)

1967 was a very special year in America. In fact, it has become known as The Summer of Love.

Back in the day it seemed that the epicenter of The Summer of Love was in San Francisco, CA - and the hippy HQ of that city was the Haight Ashbury area.

At the end of Haight Street sits a McDonald's, one which the McChronicles has perused previously. In a previous post we expressed disappointment with the store's lack of local "theme". After all, lots of McDonald's are decorated with a local flavor. This store has the PERFECT opportunity to use all sorts of psychedelic design and stuff. Alas, it is not to be.

On the 40th anniversary of The Summer of Love we checked back in only to find the store dirty and peppered with homeless/street people. After dropping in, we decided to NOT eat there. Those who know The McChronicles realize that this is rare, indeed.

Sad.

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

McDonald's LARGEST PlayPlace*

*indoors, on the US east coast.

OK - even with the qualifications, this sounded great. So The McChronicles swung by and checked it out. So, how was it??? In a word, we were disappointed.

The store is #10029 and it is in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania. The service was warm and friendly, the food was fast and warm. Cleanliness - typical.

But ... the PlayPlace apparently wins the distinction on a technicality. It really didn't look "big". In fact, had we not known of the distinction, we would have never guessed that it was the record holder. We were hoping for something really impressive.

Is it worth visiting for the PlayPlace? No.
Is it worth visiting for the QSC? Yes!

PS: In the 2nd image you can just make out an ice cream counter on the right hand side. This reminded The McChronicles of an awesome McDonald's - in Cortland, NY. If you want to see an incredible store - with an amazing ice cream stand within, go to Cortland.


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

Death of a McDonald's

The Sangertown Square Mall McDonald's closed last week.

One of The McChronicles' hometown McDonalds disappeared. News reports indicated the reason was the inability to agree on a lease price for mall space. A great fast-food option is gone. Today the signs are down and the store front is boarded up.

Yes, there are other McDonalds in the area (in fact, another McDonalds is right acress the street from the mall). But who leaves a mall for a Coke and a burger while in the middle of shopping? It is the convenience that was so great about this store.

It is rare for a McDonalds to close - yet here we have two in a row.

Sad.

The McChronicles: a blog about, not affiliated with, McDonalds.
Image: the former Sangertown Square Mall McDonald's: The McChronicles