Under pressure from 550 health organizations to stop marketing “junk food” to children and to retire Ronald McDonald (the 
clown mascot), McDonald’s has chosen the path of product enhancement (Ch.5) as a preemptive strike. The New York Times (July 27, 2011) reports today that the firm will start to fill its Happy Meal boxes with apple slices and smaller portions of french fries this September. By next April, the new menu will be rolled out to all 14,000 restaurants.
The food industry overall has come under increased scrutiny as childhood obesity levels have risen. San Francisco last year banned the inclusion of toys in kids’ meals unless there is a fruit and vegetable included. New York City has a similar rule in the works. Instead of developing all new kids’ products (or including vegetables), McDonald’s is responding with 1/2 the number of fries and a 20% lower calorie count.
The new Happy Meal, containing 4 chicken nuggets and a small Coke, weighs in at 410 calories (vs. 520 in the older product), 17 grams of fat (vs. 23 g), and 58 grams of carbs (vs. 69 g). The firm decided against making apples a total replacement for fries when only 11% of customers showed an interest in that option. While some critics praised the changes (Mrs. Obama called them “positive steps”), one NYU prof called the move a “sham”, in part because McDonald’s is not limiting sodas. In fact, sugar levels go up with the Coke and apple together.
Discussion questions:
1. What are the operations challenges in changing the Happy Meal?
2. Do students believe legislation is an appropriate means to make menus healthier?
3. How are other restaurants responding with children’s menu options.