McDonald's Drive-Thru: First-Time Experience in China

Remember your very FIRST McDonald's drive-thru moment? Of course you don't ... that is unless it just happened. This exact experience is occurring for thousands of people every day in China.

As reported by The McChronicles, McDonald’s has been opening drive-thrus in China as the population moves up to car ownership.

The McChronicles was fortunate to accompany a college-educated, business professional on her very first drive-thru (McDonald's or otherwise) experience today. We noticed that, as we were leaving a McDonald's dine-in lunch, our friend, let's call her "Daisy", expressed some confusion as to just what the strange driveway was doing in the parking lot. As the "drive-thru" concept was explained it became clear that the idea was totally unknown to her. The more it was explained, the more confused Daisy became. So, we wheeled the vehicle around and drove thru.

Coming from the perspective where this moment is beyond taken for granted, it was exhilarating to "experience" it for the first time through Daisy's eyes.

When we dropped Daisy back at her office and described the experience to her colleagues, most were totally unfamiliar with the concept. More work to do!

PS: It was a thrill and an honor to capture Daisy's first-ever McDonald's drive-thru experience. The McChronicles considers this a very special once-in-a lifetime moment.

PPS: Daisy's first-ever drive-thru order? Orange juice.

Please comment and share YOUR first McDonald's drive-thru experience.

The McChronicles: a blog about, not affiliated with, McDonald's.
Images: The McChronicles.

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McDonald's In The Magic Kingdom

The McChronicles spent a little time in Disney World last week (Orlando, Florida). While in the area we visited Downtown Disney and the McDonald's there.

We also entered The Magic Kingdom and looked for McDonald's. All we found was the opportunity to buy McD french fries, McNuggets, and McFlurries.

This was a bit disappointing (we were Jonesing for a full McDonald's meal). Additionally, we couldn't help but feel that McDonald's is putting their worst foot forward with some of the most assailable, low-health items. With a collection of much healthier items available it is, of course, possible to offer up some of the good stuff. We're guessing that Disney has a very heavy hand in what McDonald's can, and can't do, in the park.

Image: The McChronicles.
The McChronicles: a blog about, not affiliated with, McDonald's.

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Downtown Disney McDonald's

The McChronicles took a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida last week. While there we dropped by the McDonald's in "Downtown Disney".

For all the traffic the store looked pretty nice. Sure, it could have been a bit neater, but the traffic is pretty wild. We were expecting a more "Disney" theme and were surprised when the store wasn't too specially decorated. That said, it was there when we needed it, and looking pretty good.

Images: The McChronicles.

The McChronicles: a blog about, not affiliated with, McDonald's.

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A Little Order With My Order

The McChronicles frequents the Chicago airport and is familiar with many (not all) of the McDonald's there. We have a suggestion that could create a win:win scenario at these locations.

THE ISSUE:
These busy airport McDonald's can have a big line of customers all in need of speedy and accurate service. Since real estate is expensive, the McDonald's have small counters that get clogged with customers, order takers, orders, etc (Image 1: The O'Hare Airport Hall "C" McDonald's on a good day). Once an order is placed, the customer (sometimes) is told that their order number is on the receipt and that we are to listen for our number to be called. We are then left to disapear back into the crowd and await our message. This is the lowest form of the McShuffle. Customers, many of whom speak English as a second language, stand in the crowded, noisy airport terminal, occasionally not knowing what wil lhappen next, listening to McDonald's crew members screaming out numbers. We aren't sure if we heard things correctly, if our number has been called and we missed it, etc. The crew get frustrated when we don't step up and claim our order promptly. There is usually a lot of yelling, confusion, and bad experiences. The McChronicles has even seen a crew member placed into the crowd to help relay the number shouting and to help customers spawn their way back to the counter through a throng of increasingly disgruntled people waiting for THEIR number to be called. What does this all tell you?

THE SUGGESTION:

The crew all look at a flat panel that tells them which orders are in process (Image 2). Why not make a similar (but larger) screen available to the customers? That way we can all watch the screen and track our order. And, the crew can be sure that their announcement is made clearly. This could add some dignity and confidence to the situation - improving the experience for both the customer and the crew.

Images: The McChronicles

The McChronicles: a blog about, not affiliated with, McDonald's.

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Wall Street (Manhattan) McDonald's

OK, it's not really on Wall Street, it's on Broad Street, but it's where the Wall Street crowd hangs when they feel the need for a McD hookup.

A FOTM (friend of The McChronicles) - let's refer to him as "code name: Ian" - accepted an assignment and dropped by the financial headquarter's McDonald's this week. Here is his report, accompanied by some photos he captured with his phone, now known as "the McDonald's cam":

From the outside the "Wall Street" (actually Broad Street) McDonald's looks more like a bank or brokerage firm, however, upon entry you realize that it is surely your regular old McDonald's. The urban myth that there are waiters and table service in the "Wall Street" McDonald's is simply not true. The service format is just like every
McDonald's location I have been to.

There are several notable things that distinguish this location from others. First, diners can sit and look out the big front windows and see tourists and commuters streaming off of the Staten Island Ferry. If you're lucky (as I was today) you might catch a concert going on in front of the One New York Building across the street. Another impressive feature of this McDonald's is its large capacity. Although meager when compared to the Times Square (Manhattan) location, the upstairs dinning room has seating for over 200 hundred people.

The one thing I found most impressive is McDonald's unyielding commitment to add a touch of local culture to its restaurants. In true New York fashion, the "Wall Street" McDonald's was crowded, loud, and, instead of service with a smile, you are more likely to get service with scowl and an undistinguishable accent.

Overall I enjoyed my experience, even though there is nothing truly special about this location. I would definitely leave it off a world tour of the coolest McDonald's (the Times Square restaurant would probably be the top priority while in NYC). If you're looking for a place to eat lunch to "get away", or to plain old avoid all the stuffy Wall Street types, this is the place to go. I would even go as far as to say it is the melting pot of the financial district with a more socio-economically diverse crowd than the upscale soup and sandwich places that are ubiquitous in this section of New York City.

Thanks, Ian (code name). Speaking for The McChronicles fans worldwide, we appreciate your insight into this intriguing McDonald's restaurant.

The McChronicles: a blog about, not affiliated with, McDonald's.
Images: FOTM "Ian"

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HOT McNUGGETS? No Problem For This Mom

Amanda H. at the SHAMELESSLY SASSY blog is a mom on the go.

She's also a mom with a secret ... she feeds her young daughter the occasional McDonald's McNugget - in the car!

At first this doesn't seem too surprising .. until she reveals how she overcomes the "too hot" McNugget before presenting it to her backseat, strapped-in child. It is a bit surprising to learn that she jams the McNuggets into her car's AC vents!

Most surprising are the numerous comments that cropped up after she made this revealing admission. Wow! There are a lot of like-minded McNugget-cooling people out there. Who would have thought?

Though nearly ALL comments are positive and supportive, at least one person was a little sympathetic to the car.

The McChronicles: a blog about, not affiliated with, McDonald's.

Image: screen grab from shamelessly sassy blog.

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McDonald's Olympic Champion Crew Videos

The following info was submitted to The McChronicles by Joe Curry, Supervisor, Global Web Communications, Corporate Communications, McDonald's Corporation:
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For the Beijing Games, McDonald’s invited the Olympic Champion Crew to create a short video expressing their Olympic spirit in just five words. The top 25 videos have been posted to http://osom.mcdonalds.com and will be displayed online for four weeks leading up to the Olympic Games where the public can vote for their favorites. The winners will be announced in Beijing.

About the Olympic Champion Crew
As the largest employer in the quick service restaurant industry, McDonald’s has a rich history of providing opportunities to the 1.6 million people they employ worldwide. The McDonald’s Olympic Champion Crew program is a unique example of the recognition, reward and opportunities the company provides its employees. For the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, 1,400 of McDonald’s best-of-the-best restaurant employees from 36 countries will travel to Beijing to serve the world’s best athletes and thousands of others at McDonald’s four new Olympic venue restaurants. While in China, the crew will experience the excitement of the Games, visit cultural sites and meet their peers from around the world.
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The McChronicles: a blog about, not affiliated with, McDonald's.
Image: screen grab of McDonald's Olympic Champion Crew logo.

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