Sorry that you’re disappointed, and, as a diner, I agree with many of your criticisms, but as a MCD shareholder, I’ve gotta say... they’re doing something right at least for investors. I think the stock has averaged about 15% total return over the past 10 years, and has consistently outperformed the market. The so-called Oracle of Omaha Warren Buffett dumped the stock a couple decades ago, and it has since outperformed his Berkshire Hathaway.
I like how they have streamlined the way their stores looked, instead of the traditional house-looking McDonald's. And they have added two-lane drive-thrus.
But sooner or later the fast-casual restaurants are going to do them in. Plus you got the prepared meal services like Hello Fresh and Blue Apron.
If McDonald's got rid of half their menu (Hell, maybe two-thirds of it) and went back to basics they would be crushing everybody. I grew up in the 80s and eating at McDonald's then was like eating in a 5-star restaurant in NYC and I remember all the other kids jealous because they didn't get McDonald's. The food was THAT good. Especially the fries.
I agree. MCD stock has been very good for me. I have also noticed a decided uptick in employee behavior/attitude. Smiles, “thank you”, “have a great day” and this is at widely scattered McDonalds—from California to the Midwest to the East Coast. Almost as if corporate has been paying attention to Chick-Fil-A’s success.