McDonald's Corp. has a few more tricks up its sleeve than a redheaded clown and a townful of creepy, edible characters. The fast-food chain launched a pilot test of Blaze Net, which the Associated Press described as an ATM-style device that lets customers burn CDs, download cell-phone ringtones and print digital-quality photos. "The new flagship restaurant near Oakbrook Center mall in Illinois combines several high-tech gadgets yet to be seen in more conventional McDonald's eateries," the AP reported. "The gadgets appear alongside such food offerings as lattes in the McCafe section of the store, which more closely resembles a Starbucks than a burger joint." The move is designed to appeal to younger, hipper folks who use words like "bistro" but long for that special McDonalds tasty-taste.McFruit dishes, McCafe, and McMusic download machines? When the golden arches feels the need to add these bizarre "hip" quirkies, something is up. The universal symbol of capitalism has found that it is vulnerable to capitalism. I'd think it'd be easier to start selling real beef burgers rather than trying to change everything. I eat McDonald's at most one time a year, and everytime I do, I can feel my DNA mutating. I am a hamburger fiend, but fastfood burgers are just gross.
Remember when McArches changed its colors from red and gold to pink, green, and purple? THAT was successful, wasn't it? It sure increased sales! Right.
These McCafes are something else. I've seen them when I've had to stop at the McBathroom while on road trips. Who is going to go hang out at McDonald's other than bored, small town teenagers on Friday nights after football games?
Improve the hamburgers! Isn't McDonald's supposed to be a burger joint? I guess competition isn't so good for McCorporation.