McDonald's Takes on Starbucks

[Robin Garr]

I think the amount of criticizing has gone overboard. They provide entry level jobs to a lot of folks that lead them into the careers they have today, such as mine as a network operations analyst.

You'll get no apologies from me. This mega-corporation has been a leader in dumbing down the American palate, and for every lucky employee who manages to parlay a burger-flipping job into a decent career, there are dozens more who burn out on those low-wage, no-union jobs and never get anyplace.

I think the amount of criticizing has gone overboard. They provide entry level jobs to a lot of folks that lead them into the careers they have today, such as mine as a network operations analyst.

You'll get no apologies from me. This mega-corporation has been a leader in dumbing down the American palate, and for every lucky employee who manages to parlay a burger-flipping job into a decent career, there are dozens more who burn out on those low-wage, no-union jobs and never get anyplace.

America dumbs down their own palates, not a place of business. The business provides what the consumer desires. Evidently, you're one of the folks who doesn't know what personal accountability is.

[Robin Garr]

you're one of the folks who doesn't know what personal accountability is.

Gee, you must be right. I'm sure glad I'm able to get by on handouts and welfare.

you're one of the folks who doesn't know what personal accountability is.

Gee, you must be right. I'm sure glad I'm able to get by on handouts and welfare.

Thanks for the sarcasm, Robin.

I don't know if I am right or wrong, but why blame Mc D's, or Walmart, or Kroger, or any huge place for what they do? Someone, I mean a LOT of people are keeping those places in business. I support our local eateries and don't see the need for the vitriol being pointed to one specific business, local or not. I am sure some of the people who post here have kids who work for Mc D's or another mega-corporation. Should we slay them as well?

burger king is far superier to mcdonalds. their most basic 99 cent cheeseburger is better than any burger mcdonalds sells. their fries are better, their chicken sandwiches are better, and their drink selection is also better.

burger king also has chicken fries and burger king's ads are completely awesome, unlike mcdonalds, which are terrible.

If this is the case then why are Burger King restaurants closing all over while McDonald's continues to build? Since you like Burger King ads and you must really love the stupid ads that were aired to promote Louisville! The new Burger King campaign with restaurants "discontinuing" the Whopper has to be one of the most stupid advertising campaigns ever done!

burger king is far superier to mcdonalds. their most basic 99 cent cheeseburger is better than any burger mcdonalds sells. their fries are better, their chicken sandwiches are better, and their drink selection is also better.

burger king also has chicken fries and burger king's ads are completely awesome, unlike mcdonalds, which are terrible.

If this is the case then why are Burger King restaurants closing all over while McDonald's continues to build? Since you like Burger King ads and you must really love the stupid ads that were aired to promote Louisville! The new Burger King campaign with restaurants "discontinuing" the Whopper has to be one of the most stupid advertising campaigns ever done!

AMEN!!! I hate those new Burger King ads. Its among those that cause me to change the channel whenever it comes on.

burger king is far superier to mcdonalds. their most basic 99 cent cheeseburger is better than any burger mcdonalds sells. their fries are better, their chicken sandwiches are better, and their drink selection is also better.

burger king also has chicken fries and burger king's ads are completely awesome, unlike mcdonalds, which are terrible.

If this is the case then why are Burger King restaurants closing all over while McDonald's continues to build? Since you like Burger King ads and you must really love the stupid ads that were aired to promote Louisville! The new Burger King campaign with restaurants "discontinuing" the Whopper has to be one of the most stupid advertising campaigns ever done!

AMEN!!! I hate those new Burger King ads. Its among those that cause me to change the channel whenever it comes on.

i haven't seen those 'new ads' yet but mcdonalds ads are definitely nothing to be impressed by. also, just because something is popular doesn't mean that its good.

Ahem - No WAY are Burger King's fries better than McDonalds' (unless you are talking about the chicken fries). My opinion, of course, but, sheesh - I thought the superiority of McDonald's fast food fries was universally agreed upon. What a disorienting way to start the day.

Is this opposite day?

I consider it one of my parenting triumphs that I have weaned both my children off of McDonald's.

That being said, to say they're the worst to eat at is way off base. At their best I prefer the food at Burger King or Hardee's, for instance. But there are BK's and Hardee's that are in way worse shape (cleanliness and food) than the worst McDonald's. One of the reasons for McD's success is the fact that their food is identical at every store (or close to it). Many lesser fast food joints have real quality control issues.

BTW, as I watched the hoardes of travelers buying food from McD's in the Frankfurt airport, I was reminded that many people in many parts of the world love that stuff.

In the off chance of losing all respect from all posters here, I will admit to eating at the Taco Bell on Broadway roughly across from JCC, last week. The health Department sign on the door indicated not only an "A", but 100% score. That's respectable.

The employees were quite pleasant and my quick lunch was fine, especially given the price. I had the 7 layer burrito.

OK, now back to fine dining.

Leah, You're not the only one on this forum that enjoys a Taco Bell 7 Layer Burrito every now and then...That's pretty much the only item I ever order there...

Speaking of fast food fare...I was not aware that Starbucks was serving hot breakfast sandwiches...Has anyone tried a Starbucks Hot Breakfast Sandwich in the Louisville market?

I consider it one of my parenting triumphs that I have weaned both my children off of McDonald's.

That being said, to say they're the worst to eat at is way off base. At their best I prefer the food at Burger King or Hardee's, for instance. But there are BK's and Hardee's that are in way worse shape (cleanliness and food) than the worst McDonald's. One of the reasons for McD's success is the fact that their food is identical at every store (or close to it). Many lesser fast food joints have real quality control issues.

BTW, as I watched the hoardes of travelers buying food from McD's in the Frankfurt airport, I was reminded that many people in many parts of the world love that stuff.

My taxi driver in Paris was bemoaning the fact that his kids adore McDonalds' food.

My taxi driver in Paris was bemoaning the fact that his kids adore McDonalds' food.

Yes, but the McDonald's in Paris are some of the most crowded ones I've ever been to and certainly some of the largest!

I think the amount of criticizing has gone overboard. They provide entry level jobs to a lot of folks that lead them into the careers they have today, such as mine as a network operations analyst.

You'll get no apologies from me. This mega-corporation has been a leader in dumbing down the American palate, and for every lucky employee who manages to parlay a burger-flipping job into a decent career, there are dozens more who burn out on those low-wage, no-union jobs and never get anyplace.

America dumbs down their own palates, not a place of business. The business provides what the consumer desires. Evidently, you're one of the folks who doesn't know what personal accountability is.

Why doesn't McDonalds have any accountability? Why does the onus always have to fall on the consumer? McDonalds has made a choice to make bad food because they make lots of money that way. Why should they be immune from criticism for making bad, unhealthy food?

I really don't understand the position of always blaming the individual citizen and never demanding any accountability from the huge corporation. It's like corporations are considered deities in our society now.

My taxi driver in Paris was bemoaning the fact that his kids adore McDonalds' food.

Yes, but the McDonald's in Paris are some of the most crowded ones I've ever been to and certainly some of the largest!

No kidding. It was shocking to see a huge McDonalds sign on the side of a beautiful Parisian building. The competition there is Quick Burger. My wife stopped in one just to see what the difference was. We ordered a chesseburger and took a bite each. She asked why it tasted so weird. I said it was the cheese. they used real cheese. only the French could not skimp on the cheese on a fast food burger . . .

A lot of people are attacking McDonald's, but, gee, they'll do what they do. Nobody is going to inhabit Micky Dee the way they do Starbucks.

To me the question is how to get rid of Starbucks. As Matthew Crow said a while back, "Long live the independent coffee shops of Louisville."
We have way too many excellect local coffee roasters to keep Starbucks going. Truly excellent. I won't list them without fear of leaving someone out. Starbucks has convinced people that monochromatic, over-roasted coffee is somehow sophisticated. Let Micky Dee replace them, and we'll go to our hometown, fair-trade, independent friends!