What makes McDonalds the #1 fast food chain???

[Jugsmalone]

Ok I just sat here eating a cardboard sandwich covered in fatty gooey tarter sauce and Ketchup roll, with greasy fries and a nice healthy sugar free ice tea....So I ask you all this ? The meal was really crap I seldom ever eat at Mcdonalds but it was on the way and fast, and I had to grab something, so is this why it has survived the test of time..... When I was a kid Gino's was the big burger with all the taste and before that was Amechies with the car hops and the double burgers, than came jack in the box crap and lets see Burger king and wendys and Taco bell, some of them still exist but all in all McDonalds reigns supreme over them all so WHY.....Also I would like to know what is your Fast food choice and what Item would you hate to see gone forever....Just curious

[Ceryn]

A lot of why mcdonalds does so well, can be found in aggressive marketing, target audiences (there's a reason for the 'cartoon' image) and of course, the huge amount of hidden sugars in their ingredients.


As for my 'favourite' fast food.. dont have one, dont eat that stuff.. I prefer home made junk food thankyouverymuch

[Talidro]

Two reasons McDonald's is the number one fast food chain.

1) Advertising, appealing to kids mainly with the cartoonish Ronald McDonald (like Ceryn mentioned).

2) The sheer amount of locations, feeding the American laziness. Since the food is faster and cheaper than traditional restaurants. Especially with the busy lives that most families in the US tend to live today.

[Tastyvixen]

I loathed their food. The only reason I would take the kids there was because they had the best play equipement around. Every once in a while I would let them get a happy meal but usually we would just order icecream and then they would play on the toys for the next couple hours. It was great on a rainy day. Let them work off their energy for a fraction of the price of the other indoor play areas.

[Shigy]

as far as I am concerned maccas only do two good burgers. Cheeseburger and there fish burger thing. Fav fast food is probally subway for me.

[Acushla]

...... on the original question. *laughs* no clue. Ask 100 people get 100 different answers.

I do strongly suspect that one cause at least is "Global Presence" which is to say that McDonalds Restaurants probably appear in more contries than it's next three competitors combined.

it's funny you know, if you have enough locations it does not matter how well they do on an average.

[Acushla]

Two reasons McDonald's is the number one fast food chain.

1) Advertising, appealing to kids mainly with the cartoonish Ronald McDonald (like Ceryn mentioned).

2) The sheer amount of locations, feeding the American laziness. Since the food is faster and cheaper than traditional restaurants. Especially with the busy lives that most families in the US tend to live today.

not a big fan of McD but lets look at some #'s.
as of 2007 McD's had 31k stores in 119 countries employing 1.5 million people and serving approx 47 mil per day.
by comparison it's closest competitor BK had 11k stores, in 69 countries, 37k employees and served about 11.4 million per day.

[Gridfan]

The sugar free ice tea cracked me up. Like, what's the point even? *laughs*


PS! I hate fake sugar, I believe it does the same or more harm than real sugar, at the very least go Fructose is sugar is too "rich". Fake sugar taste metallic to me. (I'm among a small percentage of people in the world that can taste Aspartam and other fake sugar!)

[eadaoin]

*peeks head in*

Jimmy John's!

*retreats*

[Jugsmalone]

Well, I am not a big fan of fake surgar either but in my case the real stuff wold kill me quicker, I can not tolerate the pink stuff tho I only use splenda, but my beverage of choice is water.

[Tastyvixen]

PS! I hate fake sugar, I believe it does the same or more harm than real sugar, at the very least go Fructose is sugar is too "rich". Fake sugar taste metallic to me. (I'm among a small percentage of people in the world that can taste Aspartam and other fake sugar!)

I can as well Griddy. Everyone says I'm crazy but I can really taste the difference and it leaves a horrible aftertaste in my mouth. I'd rather drink water any day over any of those drinks. I've actually had friends try to trick me with new drinks and I can clearly taste the sweatener in them.

[rk1rev]

I have come to find it depends on which MCDs you got to, some are good some are crap. but all in all for fast food, i have to say :


In Colorado: Good Times
In Arizona : Jack In The Box
In california: IN and OUT Burger
any where else in the US: SUBWAY

[Kista]

In and Out is also in Arizona but I love Jack in the Box tacos

[Tastyvixen]

Checkers is the place to go around the DC area.

I have to agree though that its shear volume and good marketing that makes the difference.

[Vallikat]

Yeah I agree that it is the advertising and the availability. McDonald's is horrible and yet I will still go there in a pinch because no matter where you are, you can always find one. There is one time and only one time though that I actually want anything from McDonald's and that's when I'm seriously hungover. I know this isn't going to compute, but there is something about a steak, egg, and cheese bagel when I'm seriously hurting that will put me on the road to recovery. I don't know why it works for me, it just does.

Oh I also agree that it depends on the McDonald's as well. Quick story:

About a month ago I was on my way home on a Sunday morning after being 86 miles away for a Bachelorette Party. All I could think about was having that steak, egg and cheese, but I was on the freeway, so my opportunities were limited. I finally pulled off into a town where I was reasonably certain I could find a McDonald's. Sadly, I pulled in just as they were stopping breakfast and although the person in front of me could order breakfast, she told me I had to order lunch. Resigned to my fate I ordered a cheeseburger. I had to wait nearly 10 minutes for it. I assumed this was because they were just cooking them, so I figured at least my burger would be reasonably hot and fresh. I never checked it until I pulled back out onto the highway. It was stone cold. The cheese wasn't even melted. It was the worst McDonald's experience of my life and that's saying something. Anyway, I haven't eaten at any McDonald's since then. I think I'm scarred.

[Samalicious]

I'd say definitely the fact that there are McDonald's everywhere is a huge reason for it's success. I am not a big fan but once in a while I crave the comfort of a Big Mac. Yes, I know. And yes, I still know the song. I think 2 or 3 times a year is not so bad.

My favorite though is the Jamocha shakes at Arby's. I'd go to Arby's faster than McDonalds if there's one nearby, or Subway. <3<3<3 the Sub!
$5 footlongs ftw! One of those things will feed the babies and me but I have to let my oldest have one of her own--she'll eat the whole thing, and it's usually the Meatball Sub.

wtb Spaghetti Sandwiches! my homemade fave

[Stiofain]

*peeks head in*

Jimmy John's!

*retreats*

What about Sonic, thought I got you stuck on them when we went to Georgia last year.

[Samalicious]

ooo Sonic, I haven't had that in ages, I almost always got the Route 44 Ocean Water with whatever I got. I loved their breakfast burritos any time of day too At least when they first came out, they were huge. They're still bigger than Mc Donald's for the most part, but I found that depends on which Sonic you go to, like anything else.

[Alex_Fitz]

My favorite 2 chains are Arbys and Subway. They are 2 alternatives to fast food really, try Arbys Toasted subs like the Turkey Bacon Sub, and just a drink.

And subway is not really greasy at all, and you cant go wrong with it pretty much anywhere you go most of the time. Its fresh and new things come in about every day/2 days. I get the Italian Herb and Cheese 6"Inch with Turkey (No Cheese), toasted, little bit of lettuce, 2 slices of tomato, a little bit of onions, (Just a little), a little bit of a oregano, and mayonnaise with the Baked Original chips and a drink.

And yes like most people said it depends on what store and location your in. Im not going to go into details of the nastiest fast food places ive heard of from someone I know that delivers food to these places.

[Samalicious]

Subway $5.oo foot long meatball with provolone, toasted with the works, extra onion and bell pepper ftw. One of my comfort foods.