Ban Ronald McDonald?

[Coito ergo sum]

They have enjoyed record profits for years, wouldn't it be amazing for them to become an industry leader in paying people something closer to what people can actually survive on.

I don't believe the line workers aren't paid by the McDonald's corporation anyway, they're paid by the franchisees.

They do set standards that franchisees have to follow though.

The franchisor sets wages?

[Svartalf]

Yep, he could set minimum wages in his franchise agreement.

[Coito ergo sum]

Yep, he could set minimum wages in his franchise agreement.

Could is not the question. The question is whether McDonalds, the franchisor, does. Having read many franchise agreements, but not McDonalds' agreement, I can tell you that it's not normal practice in the US.

[Svartalf]

That's precisely the problem. The Franchiser is the one that sets standards for the chain, and it does not set any concerning decency in employee treatment.plus, anti union attitude is well known to trickle down from HQ.
Ergo, the franchiser is actively and passively encouragin franchisees to exploit their workforce with regard as to their being squeezed with maximum efficiency with a maximum reduction of expenses for wages and decent working conditions.

and that means taking as many people as possible part time so they don't qualify for benefits, and can't make enough to live on.

[Coito ergo sum]

And, New York City may now get into the "ban Happy Meals" act... http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/04/06/ ... ppy-meals/

I wonder how this could work, though. A child can get a happy meal with from 390 calories to 700. Would these regulations require that ALL happy meals be below 500?

Frankly, the range 390 to 700 seems pretty good. Lots of options - healthy options included, like apple slices, lowfat milk, etc., are available. I mean - isn't that enough?

From reviewing the happy meal nutritional facts, I'm at a loss as to why they are considered the main culprit of obesity: http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritio ... n_List.pdf

[Coito ergo sum]

That's precisely the problem. The Franchiser is the one that sets standards for the chain, and it does not set any concerning decency in employee treatment.plus, anti union attitude is well known to trickle down from HQ.
Ergo, the franchiser is actively and passively encouragin franchisees to exploit their workforce with regard as to their being squeezed with maximum efficiency with a maximum reduction of expenses for wages and decent working conditions.

and that means taking as many people as possible part time so they don't qualify for benefits, and can't make enough to live on.

Except that the working conditions at McDonald's are fine. They certainly can't be described as indecent. And, franchisees respond to the market - I've seen many advertisements for new employees at McDonald's restaurants that pay well above minimum wage.

Franchisees could hire everyone part time and there'd be nothing illegal about doing that. So, if what you say is true, there would be no reason why all employees aren't part time.

[Santa_Claus]

I am not up to date on the current McD offerings - but would you still die if you ate only McD for a month? or are they now considered food?

[Coito ergo sum]

I am not up to date on the current McD offerings - but would you still die if you ate only McD for a month? or are they now considered food?

I don't think I tried McDonalds until I was 14 years old. My parents didn't let us have any fast food other than pizza once in a while.

[Warren Dew]

Yep, he could set minimum wages in his franchise agreement.

And the franchisees would drop out of the franchise in droves, or be driven out of business.

McDonald's competes against mom and pop fast food shops that pay just as little, if not less. They can't pay substantially more in wages and stay in business.

[Svartalf]

I am not up to date on the current McD offerings - but would you still die if you ate only McD for a month? or are they now considered food?

I don't remember precisely... I believe it was 'Supersize Me' but a guy tried just that, eating nothing but Mc D for an extended period... went to the end of his commitment in spite of his doctor's urgings, and took LOOOOOOONG to get back to normal after the experiment, if he really ever fully recovered.

[devogue]

McDonald's food is totally delicious; even more so since I banned myself from eating it.

[Feck]

Ask them for the ingredients //last time I looked at company documents the cheese slices had 14 ingredients ! and cost more than the rest of the burgers put together

And what's with the Gherkin ? why is it ALL Gherkin flavoured ? I wonder if the Buns still have so much sugar in them you can use them as fire lighters ?

[Coito ergo sum]

I am not up to date on the current McD offerings - but would you still die if you ate only McD for a month? or are they now considered food?

I don't remember precisely... I believe it was 'Supersize Me' but a guy tried just that, eating nothing but Mc D for an extended period... went to the end of his commitment in spite of his doctor's urgings, and took LOOOOOOONG to get back to normal after the experiment, if he really ever fully recovered.

The guy in Supersize me ate 5,000 calories a day of exclusively McDonald's food and refrained from all exercise. Now, if you eat more like 2,000 calories a day and engage in moderate exercise, you'll be fine. See the documentary Me & Mickey D by Soso Waley.

[sandinista]

I am not up to date on the current McD offerings - but would you still die if you ate only McD for a month? or are they now considered food?

I don't think it's considered "food", not sure if it has been for decades. That shit is as bad as cigarettes for the human body. Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, not to mention the awful smell. Ever smell a sweaty fat guy after he ate mcshit?

[devogue]

I am not up to date on the current McD offerings - but would you still die if you ate only McD for a month? or are they now considered food?

I don't think it's considered "food", not sure if it has been for decades. That shit is as bad as cigarettes for the human body. Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, not to mention the awful smell. Ever smell a sweaty fat guy after he ate mcshit?