Should McDonald's "Reebok" BK?

The McChronicles invited in some "adult supervision" after we spouted off about how McDonald's should counter the amusing Burger King commercial. Of course, we turned to one of the world's leading pundits on multiple communications platforms (word of mouth, blogging, podcasting, et al), Matt Galloway, of The Basement. Matt's response was, as expected, spot-on. A big "NO".

In retrospect, we have to agree. While the ad is a hit - ranking #1 in Technorati searches lately, a "Reeboking" would not be prudent. Thanks, Matt.

Ronald can go back to the library. But don't we all want to see it happen? Just once?

Image: BLOGMA

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Singapore Searches for Ronald McDonald

A team of highly-sophisticated sleuths have dedicated themselves to tracking down Ronald McDonald, wherever he may be (as long as he is in a Singapore McDonald's restaurant).

MiChi Tubbit Mijikoi Xomaeira, the proprietors (self-described "Ronald McDonald groupies") of "Ronald McDonalds In Singapore", a photo blog based on Fotopages, declares their mission as, "Tracking down Ronald at various McDonald's outlets in Singapore." Note: they throw in a few extra-Singaporean sightings to boot.

This silly site (and we mean that in a good way) offers up more than simple sightings. It delves into funny and friendly moments between friends, and offers some musings on the various McDonald's locations throughout Singapore (one of the McChronicles' favorite places for McDonald's dining), to McDonald's-related news items, to another site focused on Ronald McDonald statues. Heck, the Colonel even makes a few appearances!

Check out what the girls are up to - and tell them The McChronicles sent you!

Image: Ronald McDonalds In Singapore blog

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New Hartford, NY McDonald's Amazes The McChronicles

A focus group of four adult males visited the New Hartford, NY McDonald's recently - the service was simply awesome.

The small line moved fast - we were waited on before we were even ready. The focus order was a Big Mac value meal with no cheese. It was ready before we had even put the change in our pocket!

Line Wait: 45 seconds
Order Wait: (Big Mac Value Meal - no cheese): 30 seconds
Quality: Very Good
Service: Good, Warm, Pleasant
Cleanliness: Good
Time: 12:35PM
Store: 825

In mid-September we noticed that this store had several new faces at the counter and in the back (some managers remained the same). On one visit we counted 6 people we'd never seen before. The McChronicles guesses this must be due to the back-to-school time of year. We speculate this MUST be very disruptive to providing great service. We simply haven't had a problem due to new people.

The staff at this restaurant always seems very positive and energetic - and everyone we meet there seems quite pleasant. We recommend this store.

So, the right people are in place - and they're doing things right. Now it is up to the management to continue to enable this great crew to excel.

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Burger King Visits The McChronicles

The McChronicles hosts some interesting visitors. We'd like to thank the good people at Burger King headquarters for dropping in today for over 23 minutes. Welcome guys!

PS: Don't be too concerned about the post below (Reebok). Though it would be very cool, it is highly unlikely.

PPS: The guys from McDonald's HQ drop in from time to time, too. THANKS for stopping by.

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Let's Reebok BK!

Who in America can forget that riveting and scandalous TV commercial that depicted (and we quote from an archived USA Today article), "a pale British streaker, clad only in a pair of Nike Shox NZ shoes and a scarf, races across the field and through the stands during a London soccer game. His Shox keep him a step ahead of British bobbies and guards." It was powerful - and it established the new order in the sneaker world. View the Nike streaker ad.

But ... within a few days ... WHAM!!!
We were stunned to see the Reebok video response. Quoting AdRants' review of the Reebok ad, "... the Nike streaker does his usual thing running across the field and in the stands until, suddenly, Terry Tate springs across the screen and tackles him. Terry tackles the Streaker and, in essence, Reebok tackles Nike. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant."

Wouldn't McDonald's fans love to see a similar response to the NFL Burger King commercial? Those ads ( number one and number two) are great. Micro Persuasion's Steve Rubel puts it very succinctly on his blog, "You know they're good because they are generating a lot of conversation." The McChronicles thinks McDonald's is better. The question is, does McDonald's think they are better?

Come on McDonald's! Get Ronald out of the library and onto the gridiron. Let's "Reebok" BK!

UPDATE 05 October: Perhaps legal action by McDonald's against Burger King for a similar incident is why McDonald's wouldn't consider "Reeboking" Burger King. But the rules are different in the USA. Witness the Jimi Hendrix Pepsi-Coke Crossroads ad. Go for it!

Images:
Streaker: Ad-Rag.com
Terry Tate Response: Ad Rants

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Sarasota, Florida: A USA Top 100 McDonald's

A McChronicles team had the recent pleasure of visiting one of America's Top 100 McDonald's. This gem is in Sarasota, Florida at 6347 S. Tamiami Trail (not to be confused with other McDonald's in the area).

• Line Wait: 0 seconds
• Order Wait: (Big Mac Value Meal): 60 seconds
• Quality: Very Good
• Service: Good, Warm
• Cleanliness: Good
• Time: 2PM
• Store: 1413

Our original plan was to sample the Drive Thru, but the exterior looked so plain that we simply HAD to explore the interior. The seashore motif was light and playful.

The store was very clean, the service was friendly (not too inspired), and the food was just what we hoped for.

We don't know the performance criteria required to become a Top 100 restaurant, but this store really didn't feel special.

Bottom line - we got exactly what the brand promises: Fast food, nice staff, clean environment, and a great lunch.

Images: The McChronicles

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Chinese Kids Love McDonald's

The Chinese news source, Eastday, reports that a recent study indicates that 43.6 percent of Beijing, China middle and primary school students go to McDonald's or other fast food restaurants on a monthly basis. They go on to say that, "6.1 percent go every week or every day."

Image: A Shanghai McDonald's, The McChronicles

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