McDonald’s is the world’s largest fast food chain and serves 70 million customers each day in more than 35,000 restaurants across 100 countries. The chain has over 4 million employees worldwide, and is headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois.
The Company
In 1954, a traveling appliance salesman named Ray Kroc walked into a small hamburger restaurant in Chicago’s E Street neighborhood and stumbled upon the idea for the modern fast-food joint that would become the McDonald’s we know today. Kroc immediately bought the franchise rights to a restaurant in Des Plaines, and began experimenting with a new method of fast food service.
Instead of waiting in line for a hot dog or hamburger, customers could pick up their order from a self-service counter. This design, which was based on the French fry stand of the mid-19th century, gave McDonald’s an advantage over its rivals.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Kroc was able to expand his operation by developing an innovative financial model that would allow him to own the land on which McDonald’s franchisees built their restaurants, rather than leasing it from the company. This model remains in place to this day, and is often considered one of the key decisions that helped make McDonald’s a successful corporation.
The chain is also known for its wholesome foods and enticing menu items, which are accompanied by brightly colored packaging that draws customers into the store. In the United States, McDonald’s is particularly popular among children, and has a large Happy Meal section of its menu.
A recent promotion has made it even more tempting for people to eat fast food at the chain. The company is currently offering a free order of kale salad or Greek yogurt with the purchase of a McDouble or McCafé coffee, with a coupon available on its website and at select locations.
It’s a great way to get a healthy start to the day. The salad contains kale and cucumbers, while the yogurt offers a source of protein. It’s only 600 calories, and has 16 grams of fat, making it a great option for those who want to add a healthy twist to their diet.
Another product that a lot of people have been eating at the restaurant is their “McFlurry” desserts. The desserts are made with a base of vanilla yogurt, whipped cream, and banana slices. They are topped with either a caramel sauce or strawberry syrup, and they’re available at both dine-in and take-out locations.
They’re a great choice for those who want to add something special to their meals without adding too much extra calories or fat, and they are a good alternative to a regular coffee in the morning.
But beware: They do contain a high amount of sugar. There’s 45 grams of sugar in a single McFlurry, and that’s more than the average cup of coffee you buy from Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts.
While many of the negative stereotypes associated with the company are fighting back with new items like kale salad and Greek yogurt, there are still plenty of McDonald’s locations that have less-than-stellar reviews on Yelp. These locations are not only bad in terms of food and customer service, but they reinforce those negative associations that many people have with the chain.