Yes friends, once again this morning I came across a story
on Google News about McDonald’s and how their profits have risen 4.8% in the
first quarter of 2012 according to a report by Leslie Patton posted on
Bloomberg.
I guess this fast-food conglomerate is thanking new menu
items like white chicken breast McBites and their many McCafe offerings (these
drinks are good if you can ignore the bazillion calories). I’m not so sure that’s
the reason for the increase in revenues, however.
Work, Work and More
Work
I’m sure statisticians behind the 4.8% increase could offer
real data on exactly how many McBites and McCafes were sold in the first
quarter of 2012 and let’s face it, McCafe drinks are cheaper than Starbucks,
but in today’s economy, too many of us are working more than one job, are too
tired to cook and yep, there’s a McDonald’s on almost every corner. What sort
of parents would we be if we didn’t feed the family?
Sure I know there are great meals you can whip up in a jiffy
but unless you have the items in the pantry and refrigerator, that’s a trip to
the store, standing in line, lugging the groceries to your car and inside your
house, cooking and cleaning up. Whew—McDonald’s wins here.
And, I should point out those Campbell soup commercials with
simple recipes like pouring soup over rice or leftover mash potatoes sounds
like “Depression Era” food. Well, we are leaning toward that I guess as far as
the economy goes—only the rich are getting richer, not the poor or the middle
class who are indeed, working, working and working just to keep their homes and
food on the table—even if that food is McDonald’s.
New Choices Do Help,
But It’s Because We’re Bored
There are only so many Big Macs one can eat so I’m sure if
McDonald’s is on the way home after a tiring day, why not try some new McBites?
Family doctors preach to us and tell us to avoid fast-food.
They want us to eat veggies and meat free of all the additives and fat and cut
down on things like fried foods, sugar and well, anything processed with too
much of whatever attacks our hearts.
We don’t listen though—we’re too tired.
Cookbooks are online, on iTunes and grocery store checkout
lines are full of them—all promising quick and healthy meals and healthy meals
on a budget, but if we’re working so many hours, who has time to read these
cookbooks, get the ingredients and start being smarter about cooking?
We’re urged to exercise and I was saddened to learn once I
reached 50 years of age, my half hour workout is no longer enough—women over 50
need at least an hour a day! Does typing count?
Eating Right
I live next door to a family of four (two teenagers) and they
are busy folks. The son has this practice or that practice, the daughter has
dance practice and is always trying out for this or that. Mom works all day and
then runs to the school—sometimes more than once a day to pick up the kids,
take them back and even offer rides home to friends.
Dad works from 7:00 am to 7:30 p.m. so he’s tired when he
comes home and often the chore of bringing home dinner falls to him with all
the running around his wife is doing. The easiest choice for this busy family?
Fast food!
Because my kids are grown and gone (unless you count my six
dogs who love McDonald’s but don’t get it), I think my husband and I eat well.
A piece of grilled chicken and some veggies and we’re full.
We never eat dessert and we usually fall asleep watching our favorite primetime
television shows. Most of the time, we skip lunch and for breakfast we grab a
fiber bar or yogurt. For us, skipping fast food is a conscious decision and a
body decision.
No we aren’t worried about the calories—it seems the older
our intestinal systems get, the less we can tolerate all that fat! Not worth
the bathroom trips.
And, our neighbors who we adore told me they spend up to
$800 a month on fast food!
Revenues Up for Wrong
Reason
So, all in all, I think McDonald’s revenues are up for the
wrong reason. People are tired, don’t have time to cook or are too tired to
cook. Passing through the drive-through window is easier—it’s really that
simple.
I do have a protest to make on the Bloomberg story.
In the piece, Peter Saleh, an analyst from Telsey Advisory
Group located in New York City says of the chain “McDonald’s is taking market
share just because their restaurants are more up-to-date, more modern and cleaner
than competitors.” Really dude? You need to visit more than the one in
Manhattan.
There’s a truck stop on the Pennsylvania Turnpike—very near
Route 22 and yes, there’s been a McDonald’s there for years. If you go in there
and actually buy something to eat—you have more guts than I do. The place is so
dirty it’s unbelievable! And, the one that’s closest to my home (yes I did go
in and buy a McCafe) is pretty dirty as well. I really don’t think Mr. Saleh
eats at McDonald’s or he’d know these things!
So, will you skip the fast food tonight?
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