What’s the bigger factor in the McDonald’s slump?

by L.A. Times Posted 2012/11/08 17:00:00

Related Topics: Food, Fast Food, McDonalds

1,088 votes
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	The economy	311 votes	29%
	The food	777 votes	71%

For the first time since April 2003, monthly sales at McDonald’s Corp. went down instead of up, falling 1.8% in October at stores open more than a year.

The fast-food giant known for innovating its way through the recession while competitors lagged has lately lost some of its momentum. Last month, the company said its profit for the third quarter tumbled nearly 4% amid a stronger dollar and brutal U.S. competition after sliding 4.5% in the prior quarter.

+16

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Amber Fredrick 2012/11/09 13:32:57

The food

+10
McDs food is so gross
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More polls by L.A. Times

Dr.SpencerReid 2012/11/15 03:23:14

The food

I would say this..

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sokoyah 2012/11/13 18:34:56 (edited)
Resp 2012/11/12 04:52:25

The food

The food is ghetto food.

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Christine/Rest in peace Pet... 2012/11/12 04:26:05

The economy

+1
Their sales are the same in other countries, it is in the US that sales are down. Many retailers are experiencing reduced profits, so why should resturants be exempt?

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Bluebird 2012/11/12 04:18:21

The food

Really not even the food it is the poor service.

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joe keeney 2012/11/12 04:04:11

The economy

I don't go there but those new buildings puke yellow and dull brick don't make me think of food or a place that would serve it.

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NoBama Man 2012/11/12 04:00:18 (edited)

The economy

I don't know...ever since I ordered my last 'angry' meal...

I can't quite put my finger on it...

but now just looking at the wrappers makes me lose my appetite...

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Magical Mushroom 2012/11/12 03:23:05
Jay Theyme 2012/11/12 03:14:43

The economy

I think McDonalds get's a bad rap being used as some example of 'fattening fast food' and yet it doesn't need to be.
You can order a burger, salad, fajitas. Nobody makes you order the large coke, milkshake or large fries.
But I can enjoy a good old big mac about once every 2 months. Any more and I get sick of it fast.

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Kigan 2012/11/12 02:29:22

The food

Not sure how it would be the economy, given that a great many people who eat there do so because so much of the food is so cheap.

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CAPISCE 2012/11/12 00:35:51

The food

+1

Rosi and Moore are now vegetarians

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jt 2012/11/11 23:46:33

The food

I only eat unhealthy food if it has FLAVOR and is enjoyable. Mcdonalds has no flavor. I would not spend my money on eating things i do not enjoy.

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gregaj7 2012/11/11 22:22:18

The food

+1
If you want to call it that.

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★earthbound_misfit★ 2012/11/11 21:43:52 (edited)

The food

I'm not one of those people who absolutely detests McDonald's and never eats there. Their food is okay, and it won't make you fat if eaten in moderation. But Dairy Queen is MUCH better for a fast food place. Maybe other people are starting to agree. I also think as people are becoming more health conscious as a whole, all fast food places aren't going to do as well. As for the economy, McDonald's tends to do better the worse the economy gets, so maybe people were feeling a bit more positive about the economy. Who knows.

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Elz 2012/11/11 19:56:58

The food

since its making Americans obese.

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Platinum Fangs 2012/11/11 18:51:41

The food

+1
Don't really have any Micky D's nearby, and the ones I do know about have some other place with tastier and higher quality food a few blocks away.

Last time I went to a golden arches (over a month ago), I just got a shake and some hot chocolate.

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WWZ Captain 2012/11/11 18:41:58

The food

I had the unfortunate task of having to go into a McDonalds a few days ago, to buy a large fry for a young lady. All I wanted was a large fry. I won't go into detail, but, one of the answer choices to this question, besides food, and economy, should be 'work staff' but believe me you, if they're losing money, I see why.

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Golden Panther 2012/11/11 18:18:07

The economy

+2
The economy, regulations, and interference from cretins like Mikhail obumavich.

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Kyle Dolan 2012/11/11 17:09:45

The economy

+2
McDonald's food isn't THAT bad. But I would like to go with economy

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wildcat 2012/11/11 16:36:50

The food

+1
crappy product

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vinone 2012/11/11 16:21:30

The food

That place is awful, the only thing I get is an order of fries on occasion, and Orange Hi-C, which is amazing.

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JimTheGeek 2012/11/11 14:21:16

The food

+2
People have finally gotten tired of their crappy food. And there are a lot more choices out there.

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revbh 2012/11/11 08:48:18

The food

+1
It gets worse and worse as people get wiser and wiser about nutrition, taste, and value.

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Megan Hudson 2012/11/11 06:52:43

The food

+2
Mc donalds is starting to taste more like card board and people are turning more towards healthy stuff so the wont go to mc donalds.

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Fred For All 2012/11/11 06:13:29
addie 2012/11/11 06:05:46

The economy

+2
The food is yucky and overpriced!

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Daedalus 2012/11/11 05:46:11

The food

+1
For the price of one happy meal I can make a healthy two person meal at home with leftovers.

The food tastes better and I don't have to look at the overweight staff at the McDonald. They get fat eating their own product.

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ronbo 2012/11/11 05:33:49

The economy

+3
McDonald,s is feeling the heat that other businesses are from a sagging economy. A lot of folks are finding it easier and less expensive to eat at home instead of going out. It also doesn,t help that McDonalds is getting skimpy with its customers. Anymore, you seem to be paying more for less food.

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Rob 2012/11/11 04:44:12

The food

+1
The food is not good and is as pricey as better places. Also I notice the staff is also getting worse.

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starguide 2012/11/11 04:41:47

The economy

+2
do i really need three McDs in my little town

they compete among themselves

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Sophie 2012/11/11 03:59:09

The food

+3
Their food is nasty and terrible for you!

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Gone Away 2012/11/11 02:02:12

The food

ice cold, tasteless burgers once, maybe...but, every time anymore...no way! I'm done!

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GANGA~Patriotic Revolution ... 2012/11/11 01:49:36

The economy

+3
I actually had a Big Mac today for the first time
in a while. It was good

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Leslie Goudy 2012/11/11 01:39:22

The economy

Their food is good in SE Missouri. It's damn expensive now. 6 dollars for a chicken sandwich? lol and they never offer coupons

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Latasha E. 2012/11/11 01:23:05

The food

+1
I guess people couldn't stomach that 'pink slime' anymore.

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monte to Latasha E. 2012/11/11 18:48:43

yes , if it still tasted like beef maybe they could get away with it but it dosent

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Pissed off contractor 2012/11/11 01:05:18

The food

+2
People are more consious of what they eat. I also think the food has gotten far worse then it used to be, or it could be that at my age I just can't eat garbage anymore.

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bags the Indigenous Guru 2012/11/11 00:58:48

The food

+4
People are becoming more aware of what constitutes 'food' these days.

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Little Angel 2012/11/11 00:54:49

The food

+2
I would never eat their food!

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whateverbabynevermind 2012/11/10 23:51:46

The economy

+1
Me being on a diet.

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