This article was originally published on Kueez
Since its founding in 1940, McDonald’s has taken over the world of fast food — and possibly, the rest of the world, too! These days, it's hard to drive five minutes without seeing the familiar golden arches. But are things always as appetizing as they seem? It turns out there's a lot we never knew about the enormous fast food chain. Check out out the truth about Mickey D's, next!
Ronald Was Actually Designed to Resemble This
McDonald’s openly markets to children. Some criticize the chain for putting them on a lifelong path of salt and sugar addiction. But that's not even the creepiest part about their practices. Few can really put their finger on it: Have you ever noticed how you feel around Ronald McDonald? Internal documents leaked in recent years, revealing that the clown was meant to be a father figure for kiddie customers. We say this goes too far!
The idea went that children would want their birthday parties at the restaurant to be with dad. Some kids already have one, and some don't. Either way, this is hardly a substitute!
The Golden Arches Are Not What You Think
The sign for Mcdonald's is recognizable everywhere on the planet. We've been conditioned to think it makes our mouths water because we love burgers. But as it turns out, it has been subliminal messaging all along. Those golden arches are meant to symbolize something very different, and very comforting. In the 1960s, the chain hired psychologist Louis Cheskin. He helped them create a logo for maximum effect. What did he suggest?
The expert suggestion was breasts. Yes, that's what those curves are all about, after all. The idea was that our subconscious minds would connect to this illustration. Some argue that it worked!
They Benefit From Bad Math
Quarter pounders are a staple on the McDonald's menu. But in the 1980s, A&W tried to compete by offering a bigger burger. The competition ended badly for them, surprisingly. Because they decided to name it the third-pound burger, people thought it was smaller for the same price. In fact, it's bigger! A third is bigger than a fourth, but it does involve the numbers three and four. Apparently, that confused customers.
In a focus group, one diner complained: "Why should we pay the same amount for a third of a pound of meat as we do for a quarter-pound of meat at McDonald's? You're overcharging us.” The golden arches won their loyalty!
The Truth About Monopoly
We all loved the McDonald’s annual Monopoly game. Each item we bought had a peel-off to stick to a game board. If you collected the right real estate, you could win millions. But of course, most of us just got free food. In 2001, it was revealed that we never had a chance to win, after all. That's because of Simon Marketing, a company hired by the chain to promote the game. Internally, its employees conspired to take all the best pieces and win $24 million.
At present, the story is being made into a movie starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Spoiler alert: After a few years, the FBI noticed. The cheaters were totally busted!
It Used to Be a Real Boys Club
We see all kinds of people behind the McDonald's counter today: Young and old, male and female, from varied cultural backgrounds. You might even say that this chain is the true melting pot in America. But at the beginning of business, the management had a different idea about who would fit in. It was all guys, at the beginning. And even when they did start to accept girls, founder Ray Kroc had a request.
It might sound absurd, but he wanted female employees to be “kind of flat-chested”. The reason was simple: Ray didn't want obnoxious teenage boys hanging out and ruining the vibe.
Cult Rumors Hurt the Chain
There was a time in American when people feared satanic cults. Rumors constantly circulated that people were into weird stuff out there. And it sounded dangerous! During the 1970s, McDonald’s got caught in the crosshairs. There were allegations that founder Ray Kroc gave charitable donations to Satan’s Church in LA. Customers in the bible belt took this seriously. Many stopped buying burgers: One Oklahoma location lost 20% of its profits.
McDonald's partnered with ministers in these areas to explain that the rumors were just rumors, and no donation had ever taken place. Was it all started by a rival, perhaps?
The First Ronald Was Fat Shamed
Ronald McDonald has had a certain look for decades. But at the very beginning, the actor was chubby weatherman Willard Scott. He was hired in 1963 because he had done well as Bozo the clown on TV. But as he pushed fries, executives became concerned. They wanted to duplicate him with other actors all over the country. At that time, few Americans were overweight. How would they find similar talent?
Well, they concluded they wouldn't be able to do it. The final look for Ronald needed to be slimmer, so they fired Willard, despite all his clowning expertise. He was too fat!
The Truth About the Mysterious Gold Card
You may have heard the rumor, and yes, they are true. A few special people on earth have McDonald's gold cards, and you are not one of them. The pass lets holders enjoy unlimited food from McDonald’s, believe it or not. And the worst part is, many of the lucky beneficiaries could afford to pay all day. Rob Lowe, Warren Buffett, and Bill Gates all have a version of the card. Why all the freebies?
We have a feeling that the chain just wants to be associated with rich influencers. But we're skeptical they use it very often. Why would these luxe gentlemen ever come to McDonald's?
The Old Menu Was No Hit
The very first location of McDonald's was nothing like the franchise today. In 1940, it was opened by Richard and Mac McDonald in San Bernardino, California. The original focus was BBQ, but the menu also included delights like baked beans and pie. They actually served peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. But this menu was lackluster, as they quickly realized. Hamburgers seemed to be the standout item in their shop, and they closed for three months to start over.
The new menu was short but sweet: Nine times made the cut, and the focus was burgers. We like PB&J, but it belongs at home. Clearly, that was the right move!
The Suspiciously Long Lasting Burger
Do Ronald's burgers ever decompose? Maybe not! In an experiment, a doctor decided to let a sample sit out for months. Incredibly, nothing much happened. With normal food, a lot of changes occur. Was this plastic food? He wanted his patients to see exactly what they put in their arteries. A lot of horrified former customers saw a viral photo of a very, very old burger still intact. Point taken, doc!
McDonald's says that their burgers get incredibly dehydrated during the cooking process, which doesn't let microbes do their thing. You could accomplish the same thing at home with a very dry burger. Still, folks felt this was unnnautral!
Ronald McDonald Wasn't Their First Choice
Sure, you think Ronald McDonald is the original hamburger ambassador. But no! There was a totally different company mascot in 1948. Meet Speedee, the little burger-faced chef. He has a bow tie, and he's holding a price sign. We can see that the menu was a lot cheaper, back in the day. And with a cute little guy selling it to us, we would have given the chain a try. Why did he disappear?
As it turns out, Speedee looked too similar to another logo at the time. The Alka-Seltzer brand had a very similar character. That wasn't something for kids to eat! To avoid confusion, Mcdonald's moved on.
Beware The Black Buns
America loves its classic burgers and fries, just the way they are. But we all know that different cultures enjoy different cuisines. In Asia, McDonald's has come out with a bizarre menu item that probably wouldn't work in the USA. In places like Japan and Hong Kong, you can choose a black bun. We are used to white bread. Why is this one so dark? It's colored with real squid ink. No joke!
The meal is two beef patties with fried onions and cheese, plus that squid ink. If you've got 370 yen, you've got yourself an order. That's around $ 3.40, and a great deal!
This City Banned Happy Meals
Happy Meals were part of our childhoods. But today, not all American children are going to experience that joy. In San Francisco, local government decided to ban the item. There seemed to be a lot of young customers who wanted the toy in the meal. But there was very little nutrition if any at all. Since 2011, McDonald's has been blocked from offering that on the menu. But did they accept the decision?
No, of course not. To get around the regulations, they simply sell the toys separately from the boxed meal. The cost is a mere ten cents. Anyone can afford a dime!
The Coke Does Actually Taste Different
The Coca-Cola at McDonald's always seemed as little but better than a typical can. Maybe you assumed it was the excitement of eating out. But no: You were right, all along. The fountain drinks at the chain are done in accordance with the strictest guidelines from the Coke corporation. The method involves chilling both the syrup and the water before it gets mixed together with bubbles. Ans that's not all!
The straws are also wider than average, so the maximum taste hits your buds. With all these elements, you never had a chance to resist. We don't know why this isn't standard everywhere. It's smart!
This Burger Was a Huge Flop
For Catholics, there is one vegetarian time of the year. The faithful do not eat meat on Fridays during Lent, but they still need to eat something. It's a common tradition to this day, and McDonald's tried to accommodate worshippers in the 60's. They invented something called the Hula Burger, as seen here. But sadly, it was just a piece of processed cheese and a slice of grilled pineapple. Yuck!
The Hula Burger wasn't a big success, despite the good will. Anyone looking to avoid beef to chicken just ordered the Filet-O-Fish, when that came out. It's the obvious choice!
Americans Cannot Escape the Chain
If you think you're going to drive away from McDonald's and leave in the rearview mirror, think again. As you speed in a new direction, you're just going to run into more. Americans know that resistnee is futile. Why even try? It's just their fate to have them in the city, the country, and everywhere in between. Officially, no one is ever more than 145 miles from a Mickey D's.
Why are they so close to you, all the time? Because there are more than 14,000 locations in the United States today. That's around double the Burger King locations, for comparison. Who's the king, now?
The McRib Fraud
We all have a favorite menu item at McDonald's. For many, it's a chicken McNugget meal with honey. For others, it's a Big Mac special, any day. But nearly no one ever answers that they love the McRib. It's there, and few care. But it's time to draw a little attention to this neglected pork sandwich. Brace yourselves: Did you know that there is actually no rib inside the McRib?
It's the least a customer could expect. But no, in fact, this is a highly processed patty pressed into the shape of something with ribs. The secret is out, McDonald's!
The Never Ending Toy Collection
Most of us had too many McDonald's toys cluttering our rooms, as kids. They were fun for us, and horrible for the adults who stepped on them, everywhere. Only the mini Beanie Baby phase saved their feet, and that's over now. How many toys does the chain actually give out, worldwide? It sure seems like a lot. And from our research, that turns out to be true. They are number one on earth!
Officially, McDonald’s gives away 1.5 billion toys a year with their Happy Meals. No other company has managed that kind of distribution. But clearly, no one thought to pair them with nuggets!
This Was Actually a Working Location
We know that McDonald's has taken over most of the land on earth. But it never ruled out the sea. Ahoy! This 187-foot-long barge was once a working McDonald’s restaurant. Folks nicknamed it the McBarge, which we like. It docked in the 80's in British Columbia for an expo, but eventually went out of use. The vessel was eventually purchased by a new owner who never used it as a restaurant.
We say it's a shame! A floating McDonald's is the one thing we never knew we needed. But now, clearly, it's what we want! Bring it back, for old times sake?
Of Course Even McDonald's Is Different in Japan
You might be surprised to hear that Ronald McDonald goes by an alias in Japan. Out there, he's Donald McDonald. Redundant? Sure. But the company discovered that its customers has trouble pronouncing the classic name, and they changed it accordingly. Americans might chuckle, but it's not really so different. And anyway, the customer is always right! With around 3,000 locations currently operating on the Island, there was a need for the name.
But wait, that's just a translation. They actually say Donarudo Makudonarudo in Japanese. We bet Americans won't be able to say that five times fast. Worse, the Hamburglar is Hanbaaguraa!
This Country Has a Very Different BigMac
Everyone knows that Hindus believe cows are holy. They don't eat beef, and that presents a challenge for any chain that specializes in burgers. The160 McDonald's restaurants in the country have adopted their menus to local taste, as they often do. The BigMac is replaced with the Maharaja Mac. That's a chicken double patty, with habanero sauce, crunchy fried onions, lettuce, jalapenos, and cheddar cheese. It sounds really yummy, actually!
Bollywood talent is recruited to promote the Indian menu to locals. McDonald's has more than 320 million Indian diners a year. Sugar, salt, and fat are things all cultures can agree on, clearly.
Some Huge Celebs Used to Flip Burgers
Millions of Americans proudly say they got their start at a local Mickey D's. That includes big names you know, before celeb status. Pink, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Pharrell Williams, Jay Leno, Shania Twain, and Rachel McAdams are all in that club. No one would have guessed it, we know. But the most shocking former employee of all is Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. We have a hunch you've heard of him!
Most former employees go on to better jobs. But Jeff sets a record: He went from minimum wage to more than $200 billion. All of McDonald's is worth just $143 billion!
The Kids Weren't Buying It
We all wish we could crack the code to get kids to eat their veggies. In a moment of arrogance, McDonald's thought they could. In 2014, CEO Donald Thompson announced a plan to create healthier options for young diners. They decided to experiment with the flavor of broccoli, a classic no-no. The McDonald’s test kitchen added bubble gum flavor, and they brought a sample to focus groups. What happened next?
Well, the kids expressed confusion, and we understand their reaction. There is a real disconnect between the veggie look and the sweet flavor. The concept was soon abandoned. Nice try, Mcdonald's!
That Infectious Jingle
McDonald's has tried many marketing ploys over the years. Many have been memorable, like the "I'm lovin' it" jingle and the matching ads. It was a very successful campaign for the chain. But few of us would ever guess who created it, behind the scenes. Apparently, it was produced by The Neptunes, the band that gave us Pharrell Williams. A full-on music video was also released in 2003, starring Justin Timberlake.
Oddly, "I'm Lovin' It" was released as an EP and charted in Belgium. We don't expect McDonald's to use Justin and Pharrell again. By now, they're probably way, way too expensive. Ba-da-ba-ba-ba!
This Was a Mid-90's Flop
It was the mid-90's and time for something new. So said executives at McDonald's, anyway. They say you should never invent the wheel. When McDonald's decided it wanted to reinvent its burger, customers were not pleased. They introduced something called the Arch Deluxe burger, which was intended for foodies. They spent around $200 million marketing it, yet everyone said no thank you. What was wrong with the Big Mac, anyway?
Rumor has it they might try it again, but it's risky. Today, all that is left of the old recipe is these pins on eBay, Get one now, while they last! The Arch Deluxe burger itself sure didn't.
There's Something Different About This One Location
All over the world, the golden arches symbolize McDonald's. But if you have been driving in Sedona, Arizona lately, you may think you are suffering from a mirage in the desert. Rest assured you are not: There is a real location there with blue arches. It's not a figment of your imagination, but it is the only one in the world. Why did they make this one blue, out of the blue?
Apparently, it is the policy of the city for all businesses. There are local ordinances about how signs must blend in with the natural surroundings. No ugly colors, says Sedona!
The Average Customer Isn't Exactly #lifegoals
No one can argue that Mcdonald's hasn't been a smashing success. Million of people eat there, at every hour of the day. Who exactly is eating all those apple pies and fries? YouGov conducted a survey that examined the average profile of a diner at McDonald's. What they found sounds about right: They tend to be gals between the ages of 25 and 39. Their extra spending money is at least $155 a month.
But there's more! When they are not snacking, they are most often sleeping, streaming movies at home, or "sitting around doing as little as possible." We believe these activities line up nicely with fast food. It all makes sense!
That's a Lot of Burgers
It's clear that people are eating way too many burgers out there, all day, every day. McDonald's is a prime offender, clogging up our arteries without remorse. But just how many burgers do they sell, per second? That question has been answered, and we're here to share the news. According to the official operations and training manual, they sell "more than 75 hamburgers per second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day of the year."
This kind of beef storm could only happen with modern logistics. Founder Ray Kroc would be shocked, we have no doubt. And Burger King is jealous, whether they admit it or not.
This Fast Food Staple Used to Be Quite Different
On St. Patty's Day, everyone is a little Irish. Most Americans commemorate that special time with a beer or five. But if you have a sweet tooth, you might also make a stop at McDonald's for its famed Shamrock Shake. We love how green it looks, and how minty it tastes. But would you believe that it used to have a completely different flavor? It's quite shocking, to be honest.
When the shake first came out in the 70s, it was vanilla, lemon, and lime. Then, it became plain old vanilla, dyed green. They found the winning formula 1983. Hopefully, it sticks!
McDonald's Wedding Party Packages Are Really a Thing
Thinking about greasy fast food all over your wedding dress? We aren't either. But at the Hong Kong branch, that dream can be realized. They explain: "Our Wedding Party packages have just everything you need, including unique venue decoration, customized games and special gifts for bride & groom and your guests. Everything will be taken care of by McDonald’s. All you need to do is to be there and enjoy the moment of your lifetime. Talk to us now to see how we can help you make your moment."
The deluxe package is a steal at $1,200. They will decorate an actual McDonald's for you and all your guests in formalwear. It's not fancy. But everyone will talk about your big day!
It Wasn't Always The Big Mac
McDonald's has a classic menu we can say in our sleep. The Big Mac is king, of course. It's hard to imagine the signature burger by any other name. But once upon a time, the Big Mac was called something else entirely. Franchise owner Jim Delligatti brought this burger out at his Pittsburgh stores back in 1967. In the beginning, it was called The Aristocrat. That just doesn't feel right, today!
But luckily, a young employee at an Illinois branch suggested the new name. Her name was Esther Glickstein, and she was just 21 at the time. She's never gotten the marketing credit she deserves!
One Meal Isn't as Harmful as the Others
Want to lose weight? We all know that cutting out fast food cold turkey is the way to go. But if you're not able to commit, there may be one meal you can try at McDonald's. It's the Happy Meal! Perhaps you thought this was just for kids. It is certainly marketed to the little ones, but there is no formal rule that stops you, too, from enjoying a basic burger and a toy. But why this?
According to the Journal of Experimental Psychology, a small reward with a meal helps us minimize our portion sizes. You may not seek as much of it in the form of calories if food is paired with another incentive. The toy provides joy!
Mayor McCheese Got Sued
Ronald McDonald is the face of the operation today. Occasionally, the clown is joined by the Hamburglar. But there used to be another character kids knew and loved, and his name was Mayor McCheese. McDonald's quickly faced a lawsuit while trying to use this design, though. Sid and Marty Krofft claimed that Mayor McCheese was way too much like their character, H.R. Pufnstuff. Looking at him now, he does look similar. Did the court agree?
Indeed, they did. McDonald’s ended up paying the Kroffts $1 million plus. Then, they had to give royalties from each commercial and promotional item using the likeness. There's a reason you only see Ronald, these days!
Some Governments Aren't Exactly Fans
McDonald's is often criticized for moving in and making the population less healthy. They also have flashy signs that ruin the local vibe. But beyond these complaints, there are countries that have actually banned the business. It sounds odd, but they have their reasons. To name a few, you can't open a franchise location in Ghana, North Korea, Iran, Barbados, Bermuda, Macedonia, Jamaica, Bolivia, Zimbabwe, or Montenegro. Sorry, not sorry!
Rumor has it that Kim Jung-un of North Korea really likes the burgers, though. His people have never tried Mickey D's. Will he ever let this chain in, as a reform?
This Burger Was Truly Bizarre
Any successful chain has its hits and misses, and McDonald's is no different. They have their classic offerings. But they also do try and innovate, from time to time. One terrible direction they went in was this McD.L.T. burger. The acronym was confusing, and customers didn't like saying it. Technically, it made sense: The lettuce and tomato were separate from the burger, thus the 'L' and 'T' at the end.
The idea was to keep the toppings crunchy and crisp, in a separate compartment. But this item didn't sell, and they canceled it. The McD.L.T. joins the McSpaghetti, the McPizza, and the McHot Dog in the trash. Buh-bye, burger!
It's a Shockingly Huge Employer
There's no doubt about it: McDonald’s is a huge employer. It is said that one in eight American workers has flipped burgers there at some point. No other company can make such a claim, and they must be proud. These days, they also say they are helping their employees learn skills to leave, from better English to higher education. We know people don't stay for long. This is good news!
McDonald's isn't all bad. The food may be greasy, and the pay may be low. But according to the chain: "We're committed to being America's best first job". It's possible they are!
This Celeb Was Banned From the Chain
According to actress Sarah Michelle Gellar: "I like food. I like eating. And I don't want to deprive myself of good food." Unfortunately, she is not going to be doing that at McDonald's. Since she was four years old, she has been banned! The trouble began when she was named in a lawsuit by the company for starring in a mean Burger King ad. It bashed McDonald's and they love to sue.
Sure, she was just a kid. But that didn't stop them from taking action. Despite our love of McFlurries and fries, we can't let this one go. Sarah Michelle was wronged!
Meet the King of Big Macs
Maybe you think you've eaten too many Big Macs. You probably have. But no matter how greasy your diet has been lately, it's nothing compared to Donald Gorske of Wisconsin. As of 2016, he had consumed 28,788 Big Macs. Obviously, the Guinness Book of World Records had to get involved. At that point, they declared him to be the world record holder on the subject. Incredibly, he had only missed that meal on eight days in 44 years. Today, he's past 30,000!
Here he is, in all his glory. The first time he tried a Big Mac, he said to himself: “I’m going to probably eat these the rest of my life.” Then, he did.
It's the World's Tiniest Restaurant
You might think the world's smallest burger joint is the one in your neighborhood. But there's no way that's true because in 2019, McDonald’s Sweden opened this little box. They worked with a local creative agency to build a beehive for World Bee Day. The outside was a replica of a McDonald’s location. The inside was obviously full of bees. It got a lot of buzz! Did they have fun?
We think so. This is a place for bees to snack, and the chain wants to install them on their roofs all over the world. A sweet idea, we say!
You Can Glide Through This McDonald’s
If you've ever wanted to ski in Europe while eating hot, processed beef, there is now a way to do that. You don't even have to take off your gear! At the McSki in Sweden, you can literally glide through and eat on your way down the mountain. It seems like a choking risk, and we don't recommend it. But if you're 200 miles north of Stockholm, you can find it at the Lindvallen ski resort.
There is no other McDonald's quite like it in the world. Do you like the concept? Some say burgers cancel out the calories you burn in the sport. Others say it's delicious, and go away!