Random Photos of McDonald's

The McChronicles learned from our friends at A Hamburger Today about a funky feature from flick'r. It works like this:

• people post their personal images up to the flickr website
• while posting, people add tags to each image
• McChronicles uses a flickr feature that allows us to show you everyone's images that have "McDonald's" as a tag

Check out the ever-changing gallery just below our Interesting Links on the sidebar.

The images will not always be about McDonald's restaurant since there are other "McDonald's" out there. So, we'll see what pops up.

How about a contest? Maybe we can offer a prize for the first image to pop up on our site that includes the word "McChronicles" in the image? Sounds cool. Let us know what you think.

A Tip O' The HAT to AHT

The McChronicles highly recommends both the wit as well as the excellent recommendations found in A Hamburger Today's awesome blog. If you love hamburgers (and lively writing) this is the site for you. Adam and his cohorts cavort about the country seeking and evaluating legendary purveyors of the great American hamburger. In fact, they even delve into non-American-style offerings.

Then, they stage events like a food bloggers panel discussion in NYC. How cool! The McChronicles really wishes we had representation there. Maybe next time.

Once again, THANKS to blog Diva Toby Bloomberg for turning the McChronicles on to another awesome blog.

Check it out to see what we mean. A Hamburger Today.

E-mail The McChronicles

If you want to send an e-mail to the McChronicles that does NOT appear on the site, direct it to McChronicles@gmail.com.

McDonald's Music

"Ate At McDonald's" by 60 Cent

"Boom, Like That" by Mark Knopfler (scroll down ~20% to see the sample link)

"McDonald's Girl" by Barenaked Ladies (written by Dean Friedman) anyone have a link to the song online?

"McGangsta" by Gatbustaz (Adult content)

And more are coming.

McBicycle Rolls in China

The McChronicles grabbed this snap of the McDonald's Bike outside a McD's in Shanghai, China. We think it is used for deliveries but we couldn't verify. We'll try to confirm details on our next stop in town. Image copyright McChronicles 2005.

McBike Rolls at Myrtle Beach Bike Week 2005

Rallygoers check out the colorful fuel tank painting of the McBike at the Desperado Motorcycles booth at Broadway at the Beach on Saturday. Desperado owner Jeff Nicklus of Woodlands, Texas, donated $278,000 to the Ronald McDonald House after the bike was raffled last year. The current owner has now asked the bike builder to sell the bike again for a further donation to the charity. RANDALL HILL/The Sun News

Time To Upgrade

The Little Falls McDonald's could use a bit of sprucing up. A few of the booths have very worn fabric. This really affects the brand quality and image. We think it can even affect the attitude of the employees.

Fruit & Walnut Premium Salad

According to a recent press release, "McDonald's, in a fashion inspired press event, announced today the latest addition to our company's salad portfolio as a part of our new spring line. The Fruit & Walnut Premium Salad includes premium fresh fruit: USDA #1 sliced apples and red seedless grapes, with a side of low-fat vanilla yogurt and candied Diamond® walnuts to sprinkle on top. The new Fruit & Walnut Premium Salad is part of McDonald's on-going commitment to encourage food-energy balance." So, the McChronicles checked it out. The taste is delicious, and they certainly aren't skimpy on the portions. Presentation, freshness, and flavor all rated high. The walnuts were not included and they had to be sought out. When they arrived, it was noted that they come sugar-coated. Doesn't this kind of violate the whole point? They'd be just as tasty without the sugar (and less assailable by critics). Overall - Great job McDonald's!

Heartfelt Feedback: Heartfelt Appreciation

A long-time McDonald's employee and McChronicles reader recently posted a heartfelt comment that included this statement:

"All I want you to know is any difficulties you may encounter at any store is felt ten fold on the employees. Everyone of us is underpaid and overworked. I am of the belive (sic) that nobody should be allowed to eat at a fast food resturaunt (sic) until they can prove they have worked at one as a means of supporting themselves for at least 1 month. I personally have been a McEployee (sic) to pay for rent and tuition for longer than I care to think about. So please next time you go to a store remember - we feel it worse - trust me." The full comment can be found posted below.

These heartfelt comments are so meaningful to the McChronicles team. We want to thank the writer for sharing their time, ideas, and insight. The McChronicles team LOVES McDonald's from a consumer perspective. We attempt to deliver a true, fair customer's-eye view of the experience along with customer-based comments on what we expect and hope for.

We try hard to NOT take cheap shots or to be unfair. We are all mature adults with (sometimes)advanced college degrees. We operate or manage large and small businesses or departments in businesses. We appreciate concepts like branding, customer expectations, promises, etc. (just so you know where we're coming from).

Therefore, we strongly feel that virtually all issues encountered are owned by supervision, management, and above. We've been the front-line person in life. We've had to deal with what we've been handed (from both sides). We empathize with all McDonald's crew members. The way we hear it most crew members want to be great, and want McDonald's to be great, as do the customers.

By respectfully and caringly identifying any issues and offering ways to improve (the best we can) we all are working towards a better situation. Hopefully the powers that be are listening, care, and are able to take action. Compared to taking notes during McDonald's visits, submitting reports, managing a blog (after working 50 hours per week, teaching a college class, raising kids, etc.) it would be much easier just to be rude, complain, and trash McDonald's. But we really care.

To McDonald's crew members everywhere - Thank YOU for being there, for caring, for all the hassles you take by many, many rude customers. YOU are the HERO of this story. Please know that so many customers LOVE McDonald's and are so hopeful of the promised and expected experience. Keep up the great work - we really appreciate you!

Do You REALLY Love Me?

The humorous demi-blog "The Sneeze" (www.thesneeze.com) offers up a humorous take on the "I'm Lovin' It" campaign. Check it out. Graphic is copyright thesneeze.com.

Good News Goes Unnoticed

When there is something negative to say about McDonald's, the news spreads like wildfire (even when it is untrue).

Keep an eye on how many times (we are guessing "few") the media picks up on this story. Kudos to the AP and to Yahoo News.

YAKIMA, Wash. - The nation's apple growers, who have been fighting flat prices for years, are optimistic about the future now that the world's largest fast-food chain has become their biggest foodservice customer. Read more.

50th Anniversary Press Conference

The McChronicles just finished viewing the McDonald's webcast. It was a great event - we wish we could have been there.

The history, pride, and enthusiasm for tomorrow were very strong. Kudos to the team that put this event together.

You can view the recorded conference.

Celebrate McDonald's Day!

Image copyright McDonald's 2005

Register for their webcast here.

McDonald's 50th Anniversary

Read what McDonald's has to say about their upcoming milestone.

Happy McDonald's Day!

McDonald's turns 50 this Friday. The McChronicles is disappointed that the company is not making more of the occasion. Admittedly, we don't know what it is like to walk a mile in their shoes, so no criticism.

They are unveiling their newest store, in Chicago, to mark the day. Read about the Croatian immigrant who owns the new store, the company's timeline, and a few other details here.

A Few Good Fries

A McChronicles Field Reporter offers this position on a recent experience:
............
Went to the Washington Mills, NY drive thru for a quick bite on Wed.
one car ahead of me and went thru very fast.
breakfast - egg & cheese bagel w/ a Coke
The first person who takes the order/money was excellent ...very
pleasant and made the stop a positive overall ... the last person who
fills the order ...didn't say 2 words and gave off an "I hate my job
aura"...and it wasn't busy!

I believe when it comes to driving thru, its the first window guy (the
one who takes your order/money in the dual window system) that is the
crucial key to setting the overall tone of the transaction.
If that individual is pleasant and gives off a good vibe to the
customer, then the next window guy (with the one who gives you the
order) becomes of little consequence.
That person can be un-friendly or get the order wrong, and yet still,
only turn a positive into a neutral experience. It would be extremely
hard to completely override the first window impression.

Reminds me of a movie...
Son, we live in a world that has drive-thrus, and those drive-thrus have
to be guarded by employees with headsets. Who's gonna do it? You? You,
Mr. Customer?

I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly
fathom. You weep for your Egg McMuffin, and you curse the McDonald's. You
have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know - that
the breakfast rush, while hectic, probably saved lives; and my
existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives.

You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk
about at parties, you want me on that window -- you need me on that
window. We use words like "hash brown," "cream," "McGriddle." We use
these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use
them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to
explain myself to a customer who rises and sleeps under the blanket of
the very fast food that I provide and then questions the manner in which
I provide it.

I would rather you just said "thank you" and drove off on
your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a headset and stand the post.
Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!
............
Talk about emotions!

McDonald's new downtown (Chicago) site gets ready for party

April 15th is "McDonald's Day" - the anniversary of the company's founding.
To celebrate this, the company is building a wild new store in the Chicago area.

The latest design is a far cry from the modest first restaurant opened by Ray Kroc 50 years ago.
Check it out.
By John Schmeltzer Tribune staff reporter
Published April 10, 2005

Foolish Chatter

If you are interested in financial-related chat threads regarding McDonald's, check out the Motley Fool's website, fool.com. You have to register (minimal hassle) and you might find some like-minded souls.

Maudlin for Mauldin

Mauldin, SC exterior. Looking great!