McDonald's
Fast food restaurant · Ashburn ·
Iconic burgers, fries & shakes. Nostalgic fast-food institution.
Iconic burgers, fries & shakes. Nostalgic fast-food institution.
"At the end of 2020 the company’s International President announced a proprietary plant-based burger planned for a 2021 rollout, yet that sandwich had still not appeared on U.S. menus by the following October. The corporation touts several sustainability initiatives — a goal to cut emissions by 36% by 2030, a phase-out of certain single-use plastics including Happy Meal toys, and a “global network” of farms testing practices like rotational grazing — but critics argue that its enormous beef sourcing and links to Amazon destruction mean only a substantial reduction in beef sales will produce meaningful environmental benefits. Climate and public-health reporting increasingly recommends cutting beef consumption, and because this chain is the world’s largest buyer of beef, adding a widely available plant-based option could have measurable impact. The Quarter Pounder with cheese is identified as an ideal vehicle for such a patty, since its appeal rests more on neutral texture, saltiness, half-melted American cheese, pickles, mustard, and ketchup than on a distinct beef flavor — so swapping in a “boring brown” plant-based patty might go largely unnoticed. Beyond environmental reasons, practical and personal arguments are made for the option: adults who once avoided meat as children want a full sandwich with protein, and people in food deserts, late-night travelers, or others with limited choices need accessible vegetarian options. The piece concludes that while the fast-food industry cannot undo all damage, launching the promised veggie burger sooner would be a concrete step in the right direction." - Madeleine Davies
"Rather than scrapping toys outright, the company has opted to trial offering customers a choice—plastic toy, a bag of fruit, or, from 2020, a book—arguing that this helps understand customer motives and preserves a source of fun for many families; its chief executive, Lee Pomroy, has said customers can also opt for no gift. The policy followed a petition by Caitlin and Ella McEwan that garnered around half a million signatures urging an end to plastic toys. While framed as responsive, critics note the gesture does not address larger environmental and labor concerns tied to mass beef production and low wages, and worry the change could amount to a 'plastic straw' style concession unless broader practices are reformed; the company operates just under 40,000 restaurants worldwide." - James Hansen
"Besides introducing a non-potato doughnut item called Donut Sticks that evokes donut-fries, the chain is frequently praised for its classic, well-executed french fries — described here as the ideal base for gravy-and-cheese toppings — and also offers poutine-style topped fries in Canadian markets." - Erin DeJesus
"Franchise owners are resisting a corporate-mandated remodel feature that would add a wall behind the cashiers to hide the kitchen; they argue the addition is a pointless, unnecessary expense and do not want to be forced to pay for it." - Whitney Filloon
"An old commercial from a major fast-food chain that originally featured Donald Trump was reworked by a late-night show into a satirical 'pee tape' interrogation sketch, with the character Grimace taking on a role analogous to Robert Mueller." - Whitney Filloon