Why is McDonald's so popular?

[EvaHara]

Not really an AIBU but posting here for traffic.

A new McDonald's is opening in my town centre and there are so many posts about it on local social media. The majority of people are delighted about it and as is often the case, shouting down those who are not and who have concerns about the increase in traffic, parking, rubbish etc in an already busy area.

There are lots of people already milling about outside it, looking in the windows, and it hasn't even opened yet. Will probably get shot down for saying this but said people were very overweight or obese, and in ubiquitous leggings or tracksuit bottoms.

Why do so many people want to eat McDonald's so often?

What is the obsession with it and other fast food?

IMO it's ok as an occasional treat, but surely not every day or thereabouts?

I don't get the hype either! About any fast food/takeaways. Most of the time maccyds is not tasty & just tastes salty to me .. however a big mac while hungover is delicious 😋

Because it's addictive, fashionable and cheap... many people have it very often which contributes to the addiction.

Many people can't or won't cook - its very sad in my view but you can't judge people by what makes their day to day life bearable, or what they are wearing to feel comfortable in their complex bodies.

There are the people who would have it as the odd treat but I doubt they always have McDonald's, they might rotate between different fast food joints.

Love a Mcdonalds on the weekend after I have done a long run! It really hits the spot!

There are lots of people already milling about outside it, looking in the windows, and it hasn't even opened yet. Will probably get shot down for saying this but said people were very overweight or obese, and in ubiquitous leggings or tracksuit bottoms.

Why are you regularly hanging about outside the McDonald’s?

I’ve just eaten a McDonalds.

It’s cheap, easy and I had a hungry.

Was that or Greggs, Greggs has changed their spread so the baguettes taste weird.

Is it cheap? Maybe the marketing and adverts? High fat/sugar/salt combo?
I haven't eat it since it was the only option at an airport at 5am pre-covid.

I recall that their rolls have to be called 'buns' because they are too high in sugar to be classed as a roll! I have no idea what the hype is either.

Suppose it’s popular because compared to other places it’s a pretty cheap place to eat. Kids usually eat everything so parents know they’ll have a full tummy. It is a bit odd to be going on about it on SM though, it isn’t that exciting.

Because its delicious and cheap.

I regularly use the neighbouring shops. HTH.

Will probably get shot down for saying this but said people were very overweight or obese, and in ubiquitous leggings or tracksuit bottoms.

Sure they are.

It's cheap and quick. I am not fussed on it at all but my kids love it. I don't think the food is any unhealthier than the burger and chips equivalent at a pub - pub portions are bigger IME. I don't like going because it's unhealthy and yet not for me a treat - but we do sometimes, for convenience and cost.

It baffles me. I hate when someone eats it on the train. It stinks out the whole carriage. I think it is the cheap oils used.

Chains like McDonald's you know what you are going to get don't you? It's the same food everytime, no surprises.

We don't have a McDonald's anywhere near us so it isn't somewhere I go and fast food in my country isn't very good value for money so its not something I eat in general but I know the disappointment of spending money somewhere and getting shite food so I can understand why people might like to go to somewhere where they know the quality will be consistent everytime.

People are addicted to it.

When lockdown was announced, there was a huge queue of cars waiting to get into the drive thru before McDonald's closed. The queue was back out onto the main road and easily a quarter of a mile long.

Never seen anything like it.

It’s fairly cheap, quick and easy and you can go into one in any part of the country and know exactly what you will get. We aren’t regulars but when we do those are the main reasons.

We had one open in our town a couple of years ago, lots of happy people locally as our town has pretty much nothing. It’s actually really neat and tidy in vicinity of it.

It's quick, well priced, convenient and very consistent.

If you want something quick and easy when out and about, or a "cheeky" tea I think McDonald's is an easy choice for people to make as it's quite reliable. It's a safe choice for people to make and although I wouldn't want it all the time, occasionally it can be quite tasty! It's good to know that if you're anywhere in the country you can grab something reliable and know exactly what you will get.

I'm not saying it's nutritious but some of the ingredients like the beef are all British / Irish cows and 100% beef, the nuggets are 100% chicken breast too. It seems less suspicious to me than a Greggs sausage roll 😂

It's a mystery to me too. But each to their own.

Perhaps the people queueing up in their cars are looking for suitable nourishment following an arduous trip to the gym. But that's never the impression I get.

It tastes good, it's not overly expensive and it's the same wherever you go, so easy to give to children or fussy eaters.

Haven’t eaten McDonald’s for more than 20 years. It’s totally off my radar as are those middle aisles of supermarkets filled with crap. It’s very easy to avoid if you put your focus elsewhere.

Because it's cheap. The cost of an entire meal in MDs is the cost of a coffee and cake in a lot of places.

No wonder there is an obesity and health crisis in the UK with the mass obsession and addiction to fast food. The likes of McDonald's aren't helping, although tbf they do have some healthy options.

There is a McDonald’s 5 minutes away from me. It definitely comes in handy having one a short walk away.

I love a McDonalds.

A new shop opening is interesting news to me too. We have a Wingstop opening too and I’ve done the looking into the window thing too.

Fast food is cheaper than eating in a restaurant and gives people a new choice on takeaway apps.