Nothing says Merry Christmas like some McD's!

When will it end? Surprised by the sales that company store did by opening on Thanksgiving, the corporate Scrooges at McDonald's are now asking their franchisees to open up on Christmas day.
For the bean-counters, another 2.5% bump in sales is just what the shareholders want before their taxes go up in January. But what does that mean for the the poor schlep making minimum wage that now has to work on Christmas? Is nothing sacred anymore?

http://adage.com/article/news/mcdonald- ... 121218_NRA

I'm pretty sure Chik-Fil-A will be closed for Christmas.

[Robin Garr]

I'm pretty sure Chik-Fil-A will be closed for Christmas.

NOOOOOO!!!

Don't we have a whole thread dedicated to local places open for Christmas? If anything it seems like McD's is late to the party.

It's funny this topic came up though. Just this past weekend a group of us came to the conclusion that you should never take serious culinary advice from someone who never misses a chance to profess their hate for:

1) McDonalds
2) Papa John's
3) Maker's Mark

Why? If you feel the need to tell everyone in earshot how you never order Papa's because Coal's is soooo much better, you're probably 1) a pain in the ass; 2) a little insecure in your food knowledge (doesn't that statement go without saying?); 3) somewhat limited on life experience; and 4) just as likely to say you like something because it's cool to like it as you are to bash something because it's an popular target.

And there you have it. Oh, this was not directed at Dan as he wasn't really bashing McDonals. It just made me remember the conversation...

Is nothing sacred anymore?

I'm sure you asked that question in the rhetorical sense but I'll give you the short answer anyway...No.

Personally I question the motivation and decision making process of the people who would actually patronize the establishment on Christmas more-so than I do Mickey D's decision to encourage their franchisees to open the doors.

...If you feel the need to tell everyone in earshot how you never order Papa's because Coal's is soooo much better, you're probably 1) a pain in the ass; 2) a little insecure in your food knowledge (doesn't that statement go without saying?); 3) somewhat limited on life experience; and 4) just as likely to say you like something because it's cool to like it as you are to bash something because it's an popular target...

.....I can't say that I recall ever having been around anyone offering what I would call "culinary advice" concerning McDonald's, Papa John's, etc as you describe...I dunno, maybe we just hang with different crowds.

What I -do- hear on a regular basis...and what I expect we will hear on an even -more- regular basis as time marches on (at least until Friday ) are people exercising their right to support (or not support) these and other companies based on the companies public image...witness Chik-Filet, Papa John's, McDonald's, Walmart, etc, etc.

It's funny this topic came up though. Just this past weekend a group of us came to the conclusion that you should never take serious culinary advice from someone who never misses a chance to profess their hate for:

1) McDonalds
2) Papa John's
3) Maker's Mark

Why? If you feel the need to tell everyone in earshot how you never order Papa's because Coal's is soooo much better, you're probably 1) a pain in the ass; 2) a little insecure in your food knowledge (doesn't that statement go without saying?); 3) somewhat limited on life experience; and 4) just as likely to say you like something because it's cool to like it as you are to bash something because it's an popular target.

You're right. Considering the source is important when disregarding posts like this.

Is nothing sacred anymore?

I'm sure you asked that question in the rhetorical sense but I'll give you the short answer anyway...No.

Personally I question the motivation and decision making process of the people who would actually patronize the establishment on Christmas more-so than I do Mickey D's decision to encourage their franchisees to open the doors.

I'm guessing alot of people don't think about the impact on employees having to work. I honestly would not have if it weren't for discussions on here. Obtuse of me, but I really hadn't thought about it. Given that, people aren't making a moral decision to patronize the establishment, they are likely travelling and needing food, and/or they aren't Christian and don't celebrate the holiday.

Deb

[Robin Garr]

or they aren't Christian and don't celebrate the holiday.

Just for the record, "being Christian" doesn't necessarily mean you can't go out and eat on a holiday. Ideally Vietnam Kitchen.

I think it's safe to say that I have no plans to darken Mickey D's door, though.

...If you feel the need to tell everyone in earshot how you never order Papa's because Coal's is soooo much better, you're probably 1) a pain in the ass; 2) a little insecure in your food knowledge (doesn't that statement go without saying?); 3) somewhat limited on life experience; and 4) just as likely to say you like something because it's cool to like it as you are to bash something because it's an popular target...

.....I can't say that I recall ever having been around anyone offering what I would call "culinary advice" concerning McDonald's, Papa John's, etc as you describe...I dunno, maybe we just hang with different crowds.

I don't think I did a good job of explaining myself. I was just making the (light hearted) point that I'm not sure that those who go around picking on easy targets are as knowledgable about food as they would like you to believe. It seems like kind of a foodie "wanna be" thing to do.

I've had a slice or two of Papa John's pizza over the years. It's fine. I've been to the Cheesecake Factory for a birthday party - we had a good time and everyone's food was fine. I drank a Maker's on the rocks at the company party last night. Guess what? It was enjoyable. I eat about one Big Mac every two years. They're freakin' good and so are the fries. It doesn't embarrass me in the least to say any of these things.

Maybe this is the culinary equivilent of a man that is secure enough to wear a pink shirt? Remember when chef Deano was spotted drinking a Bud Light in public? He doesn't have anything to prove to anyone so he doesn't feel the least bit compelled to "tow the foodie line"...I guess I appreciate that.

I understand there are much better alternatives to all of these and partake in them many times a week (especially the bourbon ), but when someone says these things are terrible or the worst they've ever had I gotta wonder if the sky is the same color in their world...the same I way I would wonder if they told me the best steak they ever had was the well done sirloin at Longhorn.

I think I've done a better job of making my point now, but it took a lot of words - something I was trying to avoid. LOL.

What I -do- hear on a regular basis...and what I expect we will hear on an even -more- regular basis as time marches on (at least until Friday ) are people exercising their right to support (or not support) these and other companies based on the companies public image...witness Chik-Filet, Papa John's, McDonald's, Walmart, etc, etc.

I didn't intentionally pick a politically "hot" restaurant like Papas...what you're talking about here is a whole other ball of wax.

I guess I thought was adding to the conversation by pointing out that McDonalds didn't invent the Xmas work day and then it got me asking myself why McDonalds does something a lot of others have been doing for years and they're greedy SOBs, meanwhile we think nothing of keeping our reservation at the Oak Room Christmas night.

Was it this forum that someone passed along the story of a customer at one of our locals on Thanksgiving night that was going on and on in a loud voice about what a thoughtless bunch of greedy jerks the executives at Wal-Mart were for opening that day whilst snapping her fingers at the waitress and ordering another martini (and leaving a 15% tip)? Am I really the only one that finds that kind of disconnect fascinating? Does in make me a jerk for pointing out that we all can be hypocrites from time to time?

You're right. Considering the source is important when disregarding posts like this.

I'm sorry. Do we know each other?

And just to keep your tone going I'm going to point out that you didn't disregard the post.

As the OP of this thread, I feel I need to chime in here. My first job was at the first Papa John's, Maker's is my bourbon of choice and I have been know to eat at the Golden Arches.(not really any more but those fries ARE tasty)
Throughout my 20+ years in foodservice I have worked my share of hoildays that most people would normally have off, including Mother's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, New Years Eve and yes, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It comes with the territory when you work in hotels and country clubs. But it's a different environment than say working at a fast food joint. Most of the patrons and members were very appreciative of our efforts during the holidays and would give the tip the staff (sometimes even the back of the house) very well during those times.

However, the point I really think that is missed is that this is a corporate mandate coming down from on high to the franchisees that they would like to pad the sales numbers before the end of the year. This is strictly numbers driven so the share holders can see an extra $.12 per share on their dividend checks. What gets my goat is that most of these corporate types derive most of their very large incomes from said stock holdings. Instead of taking that 2.5 % bump in sales and giving themselves a nice fat bonus check, wouldn't be nice to do something like maybe give that money to the poor employees that are working in jobs that keep them at the poverty level, say a $0.12 an hour raise? Maybe just for that day only for the poor bastards that have to work? Unfortunately that goes against the profit driven corporate culture that rules these days. I mean who really gives a shit about the people who make and serve your product as long as that cash keeps flowing right? But I digress.......
Here's another article that kind of goes along with the point I'm trying to make.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mcdonalds ... 01809.html