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?

Looks like the Fail are going to have a field day with this.

🙄

What a delightful, snobby, judgemental comment.

I am sure you cook absolutely EVERYTHING from scratch!

Probably have your own cows and pigs too and slaughter them to get your own meat when you're ready for some beef or pork.

Trying to remember the last time I was at a McDonalds. Maybe 5 years back but that was because it was the only place opened for breakfast at 6 am after dropping a friend off at the airport. Stopped going to KFC because the closed the place near us and neither of us are the sort to eat in there.

But I understand the local social media getting all a twitter about a place. We've got a near fast food place being built on a nasty corner near where I work. And the SM site is full of trolls and lots of people complaining about garbage and traffic. Turns out it is likely to be a Tim Horton's. Now I love a bucket of Timbits even though I know they send my blood sugar sky high. But the prospect of a Timmys opening nearby is the only thing that a backward thinking troll and I agree about. And he even confesses that he will eat one of their burgers despite being a vegetarian. Looking forward to this happening as the nearest alternative is about 90 miles away!

The Ch*vs in their leisure wear and leggings. She obviously doesn't want to bring down the tone of the area.

It's cheap, it tastes good and is convenient. Plus it's had good marketing over the years

It's not really a mystery is it?

That happened in Hampstead. The ‘liberal’ ‘progressive’ residents went ballistic about plebby McDs moving in. They lost in the end but the store has to have a green front FFS!

It is child friendly so good for families and the larger ones have a play area. It is also a meeting place for young people.

Their coffees are ace too. Affordable and decent so a cheaper alternative to a coffee shop/Costa/Starbucks etc. Handy for adults.

I used to use McDonald's to breastfeed in when mine were small. It is large with plenty of room for a pram and the coffee is good.

The coffee is really nice now (it used to be vile) and while I like an occasional big mac I have always thought the breakfast looks gross; people seem to like it though so perhaps it tastes better than it looks. (and smells).

They are everywhere so if you're on a roadtrip they are very convenient, they are nice to children, welcoming and having things to keep them entertained and they are quick.

I personally hate the food, but you can get fish fingers and carrot sticks

The breakfast is delicious! Definitely better than it smells

Love Mcdonalds.

That's it. My contribution.

I hope they do, maybe McDonald’s will take any constructive criticism onboard lol

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.

I'd love to know where you live because here it's mainly teens that use it as a meeting point. Other than that it's Just Eat/Deliveroo/Uber Eats drivers and (what looks like) harassed mothers going through the drive thru for a happy meal.

Pardon me for doubting your description though. I still love a maccies every so often even though it's less cheap, never hot, and my order is often wrong.

The breakfast is the only thing I think is ok. Egg mcmuffin is better than the other food.

McDonald’s fish 🤢

I've always enjoyed a McD, but the last one I had was so salty, it's proper put me off since.

People love watching new things being built.
I thought it was brilliant recently when a new shop was being built in our town, and for a while it had an exposed front so that the construction workers were visible for everyone to see. It was hilarious, every day huge crowds of (admittedly mostly middle aged men) standing watching for hours at a time, passing comment on how things should and shouldn’t be done. Facebook posts, tweets. Everyone was so invested. A restaurant opposite with outdoor seating was full for the duration, with people having a long coffee with the excellent vantage point.
It was interesting because the local authority has gone to some lengths and expense to organise some performance art events in the town , but none had drawn a crowd at all in comparison!

All of the “posher” closet clientele don’t get out of their cars after work, have a look next time you’re milling past watching the people watching the windows 😂

Why would these 'overweight' people just be milling about outside?

It was a novelty in the 80s - American fast food, clown parties for kids, fun collectable toys, bright, cheerful, and above all - cheap!

Now its a bit miserable and I feel doesn't know what it wants to be any more. Its caught in conflict between its previous novelty/wacky self while trying to appeal to a more health and environmentally conscious clientele, so, they added wood panels, offered carrot sticks and water, and the result is a mish-mash menu items and styles that appeal to everyone and no one simultaneously.

MCDonalds is tasty, cheap and available. So much so that when you’re travelling you can do a quick currency exchange check by comparing the cost of a Big Mac at home to the cost where you are.

Their chips are far too salty (I don't want any salt on my chips) and usually soggy and luke warm.

I don't understand the appeal.

I tried McDonalds once, back in the 80s.
The burger didn't taste like it had any meat content, so I didn't finish it and I've never been back.

Some people might like it, but it's not popular with everyone.

To be fair to McDonalds, I don't buy or generally eat that sort of food anyway.

I recall that their rolls have to be called 'buns' because they are too high in sugar to be classed as a roll

@JC03745 This is absolute nonsense.

First of all, because there is no legal distinction between rolls and buns and secondly because it’s an American chain and bun is the term they use.