McDonald’s Continues Looking A Customer Ahead

Brand managers know that in order to Look A Customer Ahead more often than not you have to look back.  Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® stated “brand differentiation does not mean different it means familiar but with a twist”.

Regular readers of this blog know that McDonald’s for over 25 years sold more toys than any other retailer in the world.  Now that Millennials are having children McDonalds is resurrecting 17 classic Happy Meal toys as part of the Surprise Happy Meal, which commemorates the 40th anniversary of the classic kids meal. Toys are consumer interactive and participatory and a value added brand attribute. 

The limited-edition meal will only be available for a few days: Thursday, Nov. 7, through Monday, Nov. 11.  The lineup of toys will include:

·         The Cowboy McNugget, Fireman McNugget and Mail Carrier McNugget from 1988

·         The Hamburger Changeable from 1989

·         Grimace from 1990

·         The Dino Happy Meal Box Changeable from 1991

·         The Hot Wheels Thunderbird from 1993

·         Hamburglar and Power Rangers from 1995

·         Space Jam Bugs Bunny from 1996

·         Beanie Baby Patti the Platypus and 101 Dalmatians from 1997 

·         Tamagotchi and My Little Pony from 1998

·         Furby from 1999

·         Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey from 2002

·         Hello Kitty from 2013

McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook stated “Since the Happy Meal was introduced on the menu, it quickly became synonymous with our brand,” The Happy Meal has become a major centerpiece of the chain’s family-centric focus, giving it a broader customer base than many of its primary rivals over the years.

Easterbrook understands that success does leave clues and while the company has come under some fire for using toys as a way to lure kids to eat, it has also worked to improve the healthfulness of the menu selections included in the meal. There is no reason food, meals, and meal time should not be fun according to Johnson.

McDonald’s has reduced the size of the French Fry box, for instance, and offers items such as fresh fruit or yogurt, as well as water or milk rather than soft drinks. More than half of Happy Meals are now served with milk, water or juice, rather than soda. Success does leave clues and Looking A Customer Ahead at time requires looking back from time to time.

Foodservice Solutions® team is here to help you drive top line sales and bottom-line profits. Are you looking a customer ahead? Visit www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information or contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us Remember success does leave clues and we just may the clue you need to propel your continued success.