Let’s dish on McDonald’s for a moment.
You may be aware of the brouhaha over toys in McDonald’s Happy Meals. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a public health “watchdog” group, threatened to sue McDonald’s to remove the toys.
"McDonald's is the stranger in the playground handing out candy to children," it alleged.
"McDonald's use of toys undercuts parental authority and exploits young children's developmental immaturity — all this to induce children to prefer foods that may harm their health. It’s a creepy and predatory practice that warrants an injunction."
McDonald’s CEO bit back.
It didn't kowtow and bend over to the dime-a-dozen threats of loony liberal lawsuits and political correctness.
It didn't yield to the playground bullies.
It effectively told the group to shove it! in one articulate and well-crafted statement published here. Below are excerpts, with key points highlighted:
"We have a long history of working with responsible NGOs who are interested in serious dialogue and meaningful engagement; and we are open to constructive feedback.
"You say you want a dialogue with McDonald's, but your tactics and inflammatory rhetoric suggest otherwise. CSPI's twisted characterization of McDonald's as "the stranger in the playground handing out candy to children" is an insult to every one of our franchisees and employees around the world.
"When CSPI refers to America's children as "an unpaid drone army," you similarly denigrate parents and families, because they are fully capable of making their own decisions. You should apologize.
Here are several other things you should know. …
"Our customer websites and phone lines at McDonald's are also busy, with more than nine out of ten customers disagreeing with your agenda. Parents, in particular, strongly believe they have the right and responsibility to decide what's best for their children, not CSPI. It really is that simple.
"At McDonald's, we listen to what our customers tell us. For the past 30 years they have told us — again, overwhelmingly — that they approve of our Happy Meal program.
"Three decades provide a lot of listening time. That's why we are confident that parents understand and appreciate that Happy Meals are a fun treat, with right-sized, quality food choices for their children …
"Furthermore, your over-the-top rhetoric flies in the face of our 55-year track record of caring for kids, a core McDonald's value. Ronald McDonald House Charities has donated more than $465 million to children's causes since its founding. Additionally, every night more than 6,400 families with critically ill children stay in the 300 Ronald McDonald Houses close to hospitals in 52 countries around the world. …
"As Chief Executive Officer of McDonald's, I want you to know we will vigorously defend our brand, our reputation, our food and our people. CSPI is wrong in its assertions, and frivolous in its legal threats. ….
"McDonald's makes available in-depth, comprehensive nutrition information about our food to give parents the support they need to make appropriate choices for their children.
"Children's well-being requires an ongoing effort and commitment to be a part of the solution. Going forward, we will continue to make more changes that are relevant to our customers and in their best interests, as we always have."
Jim Skinner
Chief Executive Officer
Right on! Right on! Right on!!
McDonald's has backbone!!
McDonald's has the guts and wherewithall to stand up for what's right and do what's right and tell a group of loons with no business telling a global corporation how to run its operations to back off!
Yahoo!!!!
As I told the customer service rep on the phone, who said calls are overwhelming in support of McDonald's stance, though I rarely eat fast food, action like this grabs my attention. And business.
A million Happy Hurrahs to McDonald’s!!!
Barefoot Blogger 