The answer is maybe.
McDonald's CEO, Jim Skinner, told the Wall Street Journal today that it is possible for the golden arches to start serving healthier food. It's not going to happen right away, and it's not going to happen unless you, I, and the government push really, really hard.
Skinner said that, "when you look at the kinds of choices we've provided, we've done more work here than probably any other restaurant company in trying to be part of the solution. We are not going to solve the world's obesity problem...We have to provide choices...Remember, we were a hamburger company."
I don't think McDonald's would have provided any choices at all if it hadn't been for critics attacking the company for being part of the obesity problem. They wouldn't have provided any choices if the competition hadn't pushed them.
But if we take Skinner at his word, we can get them to change. When asked if McDonald's would ever sell organic food, Skinner answered, "It's possible. We look at everything. We are customer driven. We are talking to our customers every day."
I believe that. If everyone -- who reads this blog -- started telling McDonald's that we want appropriate portions at appropriate prices, then they would listen, and change. They would even listen more if we can get Starbucks, Wendy's, Burger King, et. al. to change. It will only take one success to get the ball rolling.
5 comments:
I think in order to make McDonalds better, you have to make sure the employees are treated right. One 35 minute break in 8 hours(and that is given an hour after you clock in) is hardly humane. Most places give a lunch and two 15 minute breaks in an eight hour shift. Until that changes things won't improve overall for McDonalds.
The McConald brothers started their business on "E" St in San Bernardino, CA. (I lived 6 blocks away) They were a BIG hit because of their french fries. At the rear of their little parking lot, an open shed held big bags of fresh potatoes, and that was their "secret". Their business boomed and they had to order a section of 6 malt machines....and the salesman who delivered them, saw the potential and purchased the business and then it grew BIG.
But, how now the brothers must be
flipping in their graves due to all this negative publicity!!
Two fifteen minute breaks plus a paid half hour lunch IS NOT standard in any business. Two fifteen minute breaks plus an UNPAID half hour lunch is. However, we have surveyed the 200+ employees in our company and the preference is to have two fifteen minute breaks and leave within eight hours instead of having a lunch and leaving in eight and one half hours. McDonald's exceeds all laws regarding HR practices. If their practices are inhumane then our laws are also.
I didn't say the lunch was to be paid. I meant an unpaid lunch and two 15 minute breaks.
I wouldn't mind two 15 minute breaks instead of the lunch, but am forced to take one 35 minute unpaid lunch, 1 to 1 and 1/2 hour after I get there, with no further breaks, while standing and working, hard and fast, for the remaining 6 and a 1/2 hours. I can't afford to quit and the others are in the same boat as I am. This is unjust.
Post a Comment