Shamrock Shake: "Green Nectar Of The Gods"

At this time of the year we turn our thoughts to St. Patrick and all that he wrought. Especially the Shamrock Shake (via McDonald's). Interestingly, this product is not as easy to find as one might think.

A frustrated McChronicles fan had this to offer; a tribute to the sometimes elusive seasonal delight:

"I took the kids to McD tonite on the way home... I spent 3 miles convincing them that they'd love a nice green Shamrock Shake...being so close to St Patty's Day and all...I figured they just had to have them.....ummm no. .. (so I went to plan B...root beers.)

"Now...I imagine its been years since I had one myself and think that the only other shake variation I can remember even vaguely may have been some kinda banana concoction...but the Shamrock Shake ....the green nectar of the Gods.... now there was some powerful branding... So powerful in fact that I've been carrying around the subliminal seed of green milkshakes for decades waiting for the right time to pass it on to another generation.

"So I'm left wondering what happened to them? A mystery as great as what ever happened to the Grimmace's other set of arms......

"I found these links...maybe the "Smoking McChronicles" can investigate in depth:

• http://aaronhurley.org/
• http://www.tiktok.org/shamrock/index.htm
• http://www.tiktok.org/shamrock/response.htm

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

McDonald's Shamrock Shakes: An Annual Treat

OK Shamrock Shake fans, share your favorite Shamrock Shake memories or thoughts.

Comments away!!!!


Image: RareAndBeautifulTreasures.com

McDonald's Egg Nog Shake

Like the Shamrock Shake, McDonald's Egg Nog Shake is a seasonal treat with a limited availability.

The McChronicles has discussed the Egg Nog Shake before, with regards to spotty availability. Last evening, while others were migrating en masse to the malls, The McChronicles navigated HEAVY holiday traffic to experience the 2008 Egg Nog product.

Availability: we pulled into our closest local McDonald's (no "Egg Nog Shake" promo on the exterior) and requested the product. No problem, it was available and pushed across the counter in minutes.

Quality: The Egg Nog Shake was quick, easy, cool, and clean - almost everything we are promised - and hope for. The McChronicles took a sip and detected a peculiar flavor - something a bit "chemically" that clearly rang out and put a bit of a damper on the experience.

Maybe it was just us, or maybe it was the store, or maybe it is the 2008 recipe. We don't know. But The McChronicles WILL head out today for a resample at a different McDonald's. More later.

The McChronicles: a b;og about, nmot affiliated with, McDonald's.
Image: jeromes

McDonald's Going Green

We're not talking about Shamrock Shakes here. We're talking "green", as in eco-friendly.

QSR Online reports that McDonald's has built a store that utilizes some of the latest in environmentally-conscious design. According to the report:

The standalone McDonald’s and a nearby Panera’s outlet are part of one of the nation’s first green-certified shopping centers, Savannah’s Abercorn Common, an environmentally friendly development where stormwater seeps through porous pavement into soil, rooftops reflect heat to keep things cool inside, and the sun serves as primary lighting most days.

In addition to numerous energy-saving and production enhancing features, the building sports a green roof. The McChronicles would love to experience this intriguing store.

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

McRib Update: A SPECIAL REPORT from The McChronicles While At McDonald's International Media Days 2008

The McChronicles receives numerous requests for information related to The McRib. People ask:

• Where is the McRib?


• Why is it back?


• Where did it go?


• Why does it come and go?


• What the ...?


• and, occasionally, "There IS a McRib?"

The McChronicles promised to seek the answers - and for this risky assignment we went straight to the top. Today The McChronicles held a face-to-face discussion with McDonald's Debra McDaniel, the Senior Director of U.S. Menu Management (pictured just seconds before she dealt with the McRib issue). This makes the second time that we consulted with Debra on the McRib in two days. Here is what she had to say:

• "When we keep the McRib on the menu, orders eventually start falling off."



• Bringing the McRib on and off the market is "the best way to deliver it in consistent high quality" under these conditions.



• "Another example of a product that McDonald's 'pulses' on and off the market is the Shamrock Shake." (Deb came up with that one after thinking about the question overnight - and it is a great analogy.)

So, there you have it McRib fans, straight from the source. In essence, when the McRib is allowed to remain on the menu, orders drop and the product is not sustainable. When the product comes and goes, we go wild for it and buy it like it is going out of style (which it is - until Debra brings it back).

Know one thing, Debra is a passionate McDonald's employee who truly loves her products and how they please us all. The McChronicles has seen this firsthand. She's not jerking us around - in fact, it seems like we are messing with her. The McChronicles concludes that we have met the enemy and it is us. To resolve the McRib issue we need to consistently order more McRib sandwiches. Deb would like nothing better than to make it a permanent fixture on her menu.

This has been a SPECIAL REPORT from The McChronicles.

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

Images: iRyanHD (poster), Debra McDaniel (The McChronicles)

From Green To Blak

OK - the whole green Shamrock Shake has run its course. Now we have a new color to consider: blak.

Coca-Cola is launching a new beverage, called Coca-Cola Blak. We wonder if it will be available at McDonald's. Does anyone know?

And with all the hype over the Premium Blend products, The McChronicles wonders how all this coffee-mania will play out. Hmm?

The McChronicles: A blog about, not affiliated with, McDonald's.
Image: Screen grab from Coca-Cola website.