China, Moving Beyond Knock-Off Items to Knock-Off Stores

Chinese knock-off jersey - CBA Lekars - obviously the Los Angeles Lakers don't play in the CBA, wear these colors or spell their name as seen above. Photo: eatliver.com

In China they have moved beyond the idea of replicating the merchandise, they are now recreating the shopping experience withfake stores.

From Apple Stores and Starbuck's to Mc Donald's restaurants they are fully stocked, brick and mortar establishments with employees dressed in company colors.

The only thing that's inauthentic is everything.

Read more...

via usatoday

Also: Take a look at some Chinese knock-offs you wouldn't think exist...

Mc Donald's Restaurants Looking Up...Scale

McDonald's is investing heavily into the concept that making their restaurants feel more like social centers will increase sales and expand the existing customer base.

Becoming destinations versus an afterthought or spontaneous choice is the goal.

Notice the customer in the beginning refers to Mc Donald's as a "store" while the execs use the term "restaurant".  

There's a difference of perception. She sees them as a place that sells things more than she sees them as a restaurant where food is cooked.

The new changes only serve to support her view.

Mc Donald's Bigger Burgers Big Hit in Japan

via wsj

America is not the only place looking for a bigger burger, Japan has spoken with their consumer dollars and Mc Donald's is answering the call.

They will launch a variety of campaigns highlighting a different burger during each one.

Some of the burgers include the Miami burger which is a burger topped with tortilla chips, lettuce, cheese and taco meat.

Vermont and McDonald's at Odds About "Maple-less" Maple Oatmeal

Mc Donald's new Fruit and Maple Oatmeal has the fruit and the oats, but comes up short on the maple.via villagevoice

The state of Vermont has a problem with Mc Donald's claim of using maple syrup in their new Fruit and Maple Oatmeal, when there is none.

Vermont has a law that requires any product that says it is a maple product to use actual maple syrup.

Mc Donald's uses "maple flavoring".

Read more...

Related: Fast Food Chains Offering Breakfast Because of Larger Profit Margin

Mc Donald's Mc Rib Sandwich Has Its Own Following

The Mc Rib will return for a limited time beginning November 2 and Alan Klein couldn't be happier. Photo: Alan Klein

via wsj

Mc Donald's started selling the Mc Rib sandwich in 1981. While they have never had huge success with the boneless "rib" sandwich, it has remained popular with a small loyal segment that will go out of their way to find restaurants that continue to offer it on the menu.

Alan Klein is one such person. He likes the Mc Rib so much he created a locating website that tells visitors where they can find it being offered (kleincast.com).

Read more...

U.K. has Healthier McNuggets than U.S.

via thechart

When it comes to McDonald's Chicken McNuggets, the U.K. offers a healthier version of the food than the United States.

Not only are there fewer calories, but there are fewer chemicals as well.

Read more...

Filet-O-Fish Fighter/Bandit Caught On Tape

A guy ordered a Filet-O-Fish sandwich at a McDonald's restaurant around 4:00 am and became so upset at how long his order was taking, that he climbed out of the car he was in and into the Mc Donald's drive-thru window. Oh it gets worse.

Then my dude ran up on one of the employees, slapped him up and told him, to "give him his fish sandwich". He threatens to wait outside for the employee when he gets off work, then walks out of the restaurant's front door.

Read story...

French McDonald's Aiming at French Cookie Market

Two women in France sampling McDonald's macarons. A high-end cookie.

Macarons are cookies the French are used to buying at high-end patisseries like Laduree or Pierre Herme... Mc Donald's and other fast food eateries are looking to change that.

You can find them on Mc Donald's menu, or Mc Do(pronounced dough) as the French call it, for $1.25

Burger King & Starbucks Teaming Up on McDonald's

via usatoday

Burger King is taking a page from McDonald's playbook and stepping up its coffee game.

They will move away from selling the stuff they call coffee(BK Joe) and begin selling Starbuck's Seattle's Best Coffee in all of its U.S. restaurants this summer.

Both businesses have been hurt by McDonald's foray into the coffee market with it Mc Cafe line and it hasn't helped Starbucks that Dunkin' Donut has gotten into the fray, attacking their pricing and philosophy.

Drinks will be sold all day at over 7000 Burger Kings and prices are expected to be in the $1 - $2.75 range.(Yeah... right!)

Read more...

NY: Chelsea McDonald's Gets European Makeover

Dining area of the newly remodeled Chelsea McDonald's.

via 1010wins

The Chelsea McDonald's is one of the first to undergo a sleek, Euro transformation. Thousands of their international outlets have been changed for the better.

The place has outlets for laptops, upholstered furniture, flat screen TVs...and the employees uniforms are all black.

So far, reactions have been favorable.

Read more....

See a slide show...

Mc Donald's To Bring Le Big Mac to The Louvre

via usatoday

Mc Donald's will open a location in the underground food court of the underground mall adjoining the Carrousel du Louvre.

France is McDonald's top market outside of the US (The McDonald's on Champs-Elysees is their most profitable)and The Louvre is the world's most visited museum.

Some are not happy about the pairing, saying it is indignant to mix fine art with French fries. Website louvrepourtous.fr feels the Louvre should have excluded McDonalds.

No date has been set for the opening.

Read more...

McDonald's Loses McCurry Food Fight In Malaysia

Mc Donald's sued a Malaysian retaurant named Mc Curry for having "Mc" in their name. Initially they won the case, but lost on appeal.

The latest ruling by the court says, there is no similarity in their businesses and granted the use of the Mc Curry name to the local restaurant.