McDonald’s Opens at Urban Square Mall in Udaipur

McDonald’s, a leading global fast-food chain, has launched its first restaurant in Gangtok, Sikkim, located at West Point Mall. This marks a significant milestone in the brand's expansion within India’s retail and hospitality sector. The restaurant spans 2,240 sq. ft., accommodates 116 guests, and features contemporary interiors inspired by global design trends.  

Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director of McDonald’s India – North and East stated, “We are excited to bring the McDonald’s experience to Gangtok, a vibrant and rapidly growing city in Sikkim. Our presence here is a step towards making the world-class McDonald's experience accessible to people of Gangtok and part of our expansion plans in the Northeast region. We believe that McDonald's, with a wide range of menu across dayparts and a superlative restaurant experience, will be able to delight the residents of Gangtok. We extend a warm welcome to our customers here.”  

The inauguration was attended by Bhoj Raj Rai, Minister for Urban Development Department, Government of Sikkim, highlighting the significance of McDonald’s entry into the region.  

The Gangtok outlet incorporates self-ordering digital kiosks, table service, and guest experience leaders to enhance the dining experience. The menu includes popular items such as McAloo Tikki, Maharaja Mac, McVeggie, and McSpicy burgers, along with beverages, desserts, and McDonald’s iconic French fries.  

Customers can enjoy the convenience of dine-in and takeaway options, catering to diverse preferences. This opening aligns with McDonald’s commitment to providing high-quality food and services at competitive prices.  

McDonald’s India – North and East operates nearly 190 restaurants, employing over 5,500 individuals. Through initiatives like the McDonald’s for Youth program, the company continues to create job opportunities, particularly for underprivileged communities, contributing to local economic growth.  

The new Gangtok restaurant reflects McDonald’s focus on expanding its footprint in India while delivering reliable service and culinary options to customers.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has initiated random inspections of restaurants, banquet halls, clubs, and similar establishments in the city to prevent incidents related to overcrowding during Christmas and New Year celebrations. The move aims to ensure compliance with safety norms amidst the increased footfall during the festive season.

In a circular issued to district health officers, the MCD emphasized concerns about establishments exceeding permissible limits for customer occupancy. "It has been observed in the past that traders dealing with such trades allow the entry of an excess number of customers in their establishments than permitted number of seats. This is a serious violation and may lead to deterioration of food and beverage quality, any mishappening due to extra pressure on the existing infrastructure etc in the eating establishments," the circular noted.

The civic body also raised issues regarding encroachment on public land, unlicensed operations, and the setup of temporary kitchens without approval. Such practices, it stated, could pose risks to both customer safety and the health of establishment staff.

To address these concerns, the MCD has instructed officials to conduct inspections to identify and penalize violations, ensuring public health and safety during the festive period.

Lamb Weston, McDonald’s largest French fry supplier, has adjusted its operations by closing its Connell, Washington, production plant and reducing its workforce by 4 percent, impacting around 375 employees. The move comes in response to changes in supply and demand, partially influenced by McDonald's introduction of a $5 meal deal.

"Lamb Weston is confident in the world's ongoing love of fries," said company spokesperson Teresa Paulsen, noting that the facility closure accounts for less than 5 percent of their production capacity and aims to balance the current market situation.

The $5 meal deal, which includes fries, has been extended through the end of the year, further contributing to market adjustments. Lamb Weston’s stock has declined 35 percent since January, reflecting ongoing challenges in the industry.

McDonald’s has begun testing a new digital kiosk capable of accepting cash and dispensing change, potentially reducing the need for human cashiers in the future. This comes after the fast-food giant installed self-order screens at most locations in 2020, which, until now, have only accepted card payments. Cash-paying customers had to complete their transactions at the counter, but the new kiosks aim to streamline this process.

So far, only a few restaurants have adopted the new cash kiosks. According to a McDonald’s spokesperson, “These changes allow franchisees to meet our customers’ increased desire for digital options, while improving speed and accuracy.”

Behind-the-counter screens will now highlight specific menu items and guide customers to order at the kiosks or through the McDonald’s app, further promoting digital ordering methods. However, the adoption of these kiosks remains optional for the company’s franchisees, who manage about 95 percent of McDonald’s 14,300 U.S. locations. Currently, fewer than 2 percent of franchisees have opted to implement the kiosks and screens.

The company has yet to confirm a timeline for a broader rollout, but emphasized that the new technology will not lead to job cuts. Instead, employees will be reassigned to roles such as delivering food to online customers or improving the overall guest experience. Despite these assurances, some concerns continued automation could eventually replace cashier positions, especially with rising labor costs like California’s $20-per-hour minimum wage for fast-food workers.

Other fast-food chains, including Taco Bell and Panera, have also implemented self-order screens, which have been well-received by customers. McDonald’s has benefited from the growing trend, with digital sales, including orders made through the app, self-order kiosks, and delivery, making up over 40 percent of its sales in top markets during the third quarter of last year.

“Digital is going to continue to grow for us,” McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said in July, highlighting the company’s increasing focus on its digital platform.

McDonald's India – North and East has introduced its new "Signature Collection," a range of gourmet burgers aimed at the growing premium segment. With this new lineup, the brand seeks to elevate the quick-service restaurant (QSR) experience, setting a higher standard for quality and flavor. The collection introduces a combination of carefully selected ingredients, unique toppings, and gourmet patties, offering an enhanced dining experience.

As part of the launch, McDonald's rolled out its ‘Imagined in AI’ campaign, an interactive initiative allowing customers to visualize the Signature Collection through AI-generated visuals. By combining user inputs with cutting-edge technology, the campaign also offered participants the chance to access Signature Collection rewards.

Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director of McDonald's India - North and East, emphasized the uniqueness of the new burgers, saying, "We’ve handpicked the finest ingredients to create our Signature Collection of gourmet burgers that offer a remarkable gastronomical experience. Each burger is crafted to deliver a multi-sensorial delight with every bite."

Quality and Indulgence at McDonald's
McDonald's commitment to offering a premium experience is evident in the key features of the Signature Collection, which include:

• Potato Buns: McDonald’s introduces the water-split potato bun in North and East India. These buns, known for their softness, complement the flavorful patties in the Signature Collection.
• Gourmet Veggies: The burgers are topped with gourmet ingredients, including gherkins for a sweet and tangy contrast, as well as red cabbage and lettuce for added crunch and freshness.
• Gourmet Patties: The vegetarian option features a molten cheddar cheese patty combined with a corn and cheese patty, offering a blend of creamy cheese and sweet corn. For non-vegetarian customers, the burger includes a 100 percent chicken filet for a savory, meaty taste.

The dining experience is further enhanced by serving the burgers with complimentary fries on a wooden paddle for dine-in customers. The crew, dressed in exclusive Signature Collection uniforms, adds an elegant touch to the overall experience.

The two offerings in the Signature Collection include:

• Grand Cheese (Gourmet Veg): This indulgent vegetarian burger features a molten cheese patty, corn and cheese patty, smoky roasted chipotle sauce, cheese slice, lettuce, red cabbage, and gherkins in a soft potato bun.
• Grand Chicken (Gourmet Non-Veg): A juicy chicken patty topped with mayo, lettuce, red cabbage, gherkins, and a cheese slice, all served in a potato bun.

Priced at Rs 225 for the Grand Cheese and Rs 229 for the Grand Chicken, the Signature Collection is available for dine-in, delivery through Swiggy, Zomato, or Magic Pin, as well as takeaway and drive-thru at McDonald's locations.

McDonald’s India (West and South), operated by Westlife Foodworld, has introduced the McSavers+ campaign, aiming to redefine value in the fast-food sector.

The campaign's tagline, "It Doesn’t Add Up," challenges traditional pricing norms with snack and beverage combos that offer exceptional value. The intriguing math of 65+49=69 is used to illustrate this concept. Customers can now enjoy a Chicken Surprise Burger priced at Rs 65 and a classic Coke Float at Rs 49, but instead of paying the expected total of Rs 114, they will only pay Rs 69.

The McSavers+ menu includes popular items like the McAloo Tikki, Pizza McPuff, McEgg Burger, Regular Fries, and the new Chicken Surprise. Customers can pair any snacks with a Coca-Cola beverage for just Rs 69.

A quirky TV commercial complements the campaign. It begins with two GenZ kids puzzled by the math-defying offer at a McDonald’s counter. Their confusion is humorously depicted with a scene of Isaac Newton, sitting under a tree and being struck by a Chicken Surprise Burger while enjoying a Coke Float. This scene symbolizes a breakthrough in understanding the incredible value of the offer. The tagline, "Value so good, it doesn’t add up," effectively combines historical wit with modern-day value expectations, resonating with younger audiences.

Arvind R.P., Chief Marketing Officer of McDonald’s India (W&S) stated, “We are delighted to launch the McSavers+ campaign targeted at the youth. We aim to make delicious feel-good moments easy for everyone and democratize access to delicious food, being easy on the wallet. Every aspect of this campaign has been meticulously crafted to resonate with Gen Z, a key audience for McDonald’s."

Rahul Mathew, Chief Creative Officer at DDB Mudra Group added, “Value has become such an overused word and a blind spot in the retail world. We needed a new way to communicate the same to our GenZ audience. So, we decided to take them through the math (or the lack of it) in our offers. And who better to take them through it than someone who probably scored A++++ in his math class – Isaac Newton.”

To enhance the consumer experience, McDonald’s India has launched a microsite, 654969.in, providing customers with detailed information about the new offering.

This limited-time offering highlights McDonald’s commitment to providing delicious, affordable, and accessible products. The company ensures that select menu items contain no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or added MSG in the chicken offerings. For nearly three decades, McDonald’s India has focused on using fresh ingredients, locally sourced from renowned suppliers, ensuring high quality and transparency for its customers.

McDonald's Korea has introduced kiosks with voice guidance across all its stores nationwide, aiming to better serve visually impaired customers, as reported by AJU Press.

These self-service kiosks can connect to earphones, allowing visitors to select their food even in noisy environments. The voice guidance provides information on food names, prices, and calorie content.

"Visually impaired customers can now access product information and freely order their menu items through voice guidance at any McDonald's across the country," stated McDonald's Korea in a release.

This initiative follows McDonald's U.S., which adopted the device in its stores in September of last year. Korea is the second market to implement this technology.

McDonald’s India – North and East, in partnership with Universal Pictures, is set to introduce Minions-themed experiences to its restaurants. This collaboration will bring Minions-themed menu items, special packaging, and restaurant transformations for customers of all ages.

The special menu items include:

• Choco Caramel McFlurry: A blend of creamy vanilla soft serve with chocolate and caramel swirls topped with Oreo.
• Chicken McNuggets (4-pcs): Priced at Rs 99, this exclusive pack features two new dipping sauces: zesty Manchurian dip and sweet yet spicy Sweet Chilli dip.
• Mega Minion Surprise Meal (4-pcs): A meal including a surprise burger, regular fries, a regular beverage, and Pizza McPuff.

Happy Meal customers will receive a special edition *Despicable Me 4* book and a Minion-themed headband, along with access to games and activities via a QR code on the Happy Meal box. Select McDonald’s restaurants will be decorated with Minion-themed decor, creating an immersive environment for guests. There will also be special appearances by Minion mascots for photo opportunities and customer engagement.

Rajeev Ranjan, MD of McDonald’s India - North and East, stated, “McDonald’s has always been a happy place for families, and we are always looking for new ways to create joyful and memorable experiences for our customers. We are incredibly excited to bring the world of the Minions to our customers. We eagerly wait to see broader smiles on the faces of our young guests and their families as they relish this limited-edition meals while engaging in the fun activities.”

The Minions-themed celebrations will run until August 1, 2024, across all McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India. Join McDonald's for a Minion-filled adventure and be among the first to try the new Minion-themed products.

McDonald's has announced the termination of its Automated Order Taker (AOT) system powered by AI technology, according to a brand statement.

The fast-food giant, headquartered in Chicago, has been utilizing AI at drive-thrus in collaboration with IBM since 2021. However, the system has faced challenges with inaccurate orders, such as adding bacon to ice cream and excessive sweet tea orders, as reported by the New York Post.

"Through our partnership with IBM, we have captured many learnings and feel there is an opportunity to explore voice ordering solutions more broadly. After thoughtful review, McDonald's has decided to end our current global partnership with IBM on AOT beyond this year. IBM remains a trusted partner and we will still utilize many of their products across our global System," the brand stated.

AI ordering technology is currently implemented in over 100 McDonald's drive-thrus.

McDonald’s has announced that Bob Stewart, Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer for North America, will retire effective October 1, 2024. Cesar Piña, currently Corporate Vice President of Global Strategic Sourcing for Food and a member of the Global Supply Chain Leadership Team, will succeed him.

Bob Stewart has dedicated 30 years to McDonald’s, playing a key role in digitalizing the supply chain and managing significant challenges. His leadership and commitment have been instrumental in maintaining high standards of supply chain excellence.

Cesar Piña will take over as Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer for North America this fall. He is expected to continue the progress made in enhancing supply chain resilience and ensuring that customers receive reliable and trusted food products.

Cesar Piña has been with McDonald’s for 10 years, contributing to meaningful changes in the global supply chain. His industry experience and collaborative approach make him well-suited to lead the North American Supply Chain team. 

“Cesar has made significant contributions across his 10-year McDonald’s career to drive meaningful change to our global supply chain and the System at large, and there is no doubt that he is the right leader to carry forward McDonald’s priorities. His extensive industry experience in driving business results matched with his strong learning aptitude and passion for advancing a culture of collaboration makes him uniquely suited to shepherd the North America Supply Chain team into the future,”Marion Gross, EVP, Global Chief Supply Chain Officer.

McDonald's has relinquished its exclusive right to the term "Big Mac" for chicken products in the European Union, following a ruling by the region's second-highest court. The Luxembourg-based General Court's decision represents a partial victory for Supermac's, an Irish fast-food chain, in an ongoing trademark dispute. Supermac's contested McDonald's usage of the Big Mac name for both beef and chicken offerings, arguing that the U.S. company hadn't authentically applied it to chicken items in the EU.

McDonald's had secured the Big Mac trademark in 1996 for meat and poultry goods. However, the General Court concluded that the company hadn't substantiated continuous chicken product usage within the EU over the previous five years.

Judges decreed, "McDonald's loses the EU trademark Big Mac in respect of poultry products."

Despite the setback, McDonald's asserted its ability to continue employing the Big Mac trademark for its core beef sandwich and the Chicken Big Mac variant.

"This decision will not in any way impact our ability to use or to protect the trademark against infringements," stated McDonald's.

Pat McDonagh, Supermac's Founder, hailed the ruling as a triumph for his company and potentially others, stating, "It does mean we can expand elsewhere with Supermac's across the EU, so that is a big win for us today."

The ruling serves as a cautionary reminder to trademark holders about the necessity of demonstrating active trademark usage, remarked Matthew Harris, an IP lawyer at Pinsent Masons. "This is a huge wakeup call, and owners of well-known trademarks cannot simply rest on the premise 'it is obvious the public know the brand and we have been using it'," he conveyed.

The decision is subject to appeal at the Court of Justice of the European Union, the highest court in the bloc.

McDonald’s invites you to celebrate cherished memories with grandma this summer by indulging in the new Grandma McFlurry, available from May 21 for a limited time. This sweet treat, reminiscent of grandma’s special touch, features a delicious syrup and crunchy candy pieces blended into creamy vanilla soft serve.

Tariq Hassan, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer at McDonald’s said, “Grandmas have always held a special place in our hearts, and today they’re having a major moment influencing culture inspiring trends in fashion, decor, and now, even food with our newest McFlurry. The Grandma McFlurry tastes like a trip down memory lane, and we’re excited to give our fans that experience while honoring the grandma-figure in all our lives.”

A Special Connection with Grandma

To celebrate the Grandma McFlurry, McDonald’s is offering fans another way to connect with their grandmothers. In partnership with two breakthrough artists, McDonald’s is releasing covers of classic songs. Singer-songwriter Remi Wolf will cover “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You),” available on all music platforms on May 21, while Puerto Rican star Jay Wheeler will cover the iconic Latin song “Piel Canela.”

Grandma’s McFlurry Mobile

McDonald’s will also launch Grandma’s McFlurry Mobile, an ice cream truck offering a free first taste of the new Grandma McFlurry before it’s available in restaurants. On May 17 and 18, the truck will stop at various locations around New York City, including senior centers and assisted living homes, to create moments of connection between grandparents and their families. 

Supporting the Elderly

In honor of this occasion, McDonald’s will donate to Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly, a national organization dedicated to supporting older adults experiencing isolation and loneliness. Whether she is your Grams, Abuela, Oma, Lola, Halmoni, or Yiayia, recreate some of your favorite memories with McDonald's new Grandma McFlurry starting May 21, while supplies last.

McDonald's aims to launch roughly 10,000 new restaurants worldwide by 2027, potentially marking its most rapid expansion phase to date, as announced on Wednesday.

The company outlined intentions to boost sales from its loyalty program, aiming to reach $45 billion, doubling its current figures.

Additionally, they aim to expand their user base to 250 million customers by 2027, building upon the existing 150 million users generating more than $20 billion in annual system-wide sales.

Despite fluctuations in U.S. consumer spending, McDonald's has maintained its stability, largely due to its cost-effective menu offerings, aggressive promotional strategies, and robust marketing campaigns.

During the company's investor day, CEO Chris Kempczinski expressed caution in making forecasts for the next year, citing the consumer's demonstrated "significant resilience."

McDonald's plans to launch approximately 7,000 outlets in its international developmental licensed markets, encompassing nations like China, India, Japan, and Brazil, according to CFO Ian Borden.

Borden mentioned that over half of these upcoming new outlets are earmarked for China, McDonald's second-largest market. The company recently secured an agreement granting it increased operational control within the region.

Worldwide, this expansion effort aims to increase the total number of stores to around 50,000 by 2027.

Additionally, McDonald's "Best Burger" initiative, focused on enhancing burger quality, is set to expand to nearly all markets by 2026, extending from its current presence in approximately 70 markets.

In 2024, McDonald's anticipates nearly a 2% increase in system-wide sales from new restaurants, calculated on a constant currency basis, in contrast to the projected 1.5% growth expected for 2023.

The company noted experiencing business implications in several Middle Eastern markets and a few markets outside that region due to the ongoing conflict, affecting its operations.

McDonald's collaborated with Alphabet's Google Cloud to implement artificial intelligence (AI) solutions across its global chain of restaurants.

This initiative aims to enhance store visibility, identify cost-saving opportunities, and facilitate quicker delivery of hotter, fresher food to customers.

American burger giant McDonald’s has chosen entrepreneur Sanjeev Agrawal, promoter of Delhi-based diversified MM Agrawal Group, as developmental licensee for its operations in north and east India.

This happened after nine months when the burger chain had brought out former partner Vikram Bakshi’s stake in their joint venture.

“We have aggressive plans for McDonald’s North and East and our key focus will be to turn around the business,” shared Agrawal who is looking at scale investments to re-image all the outlets.

Also, Moon Beverages is Coca-Cola India’s largest franchisee bottler which is also a subsidiary of MM Agrawal Group.

“Agrawal has a strong understanding of the McDonald’s brand, insights into the local market, and a proven track record of driving innovation in the food and beverage and hospitality industries,” shared a McDonald’s spokesperson in a media statement.

Both McDonald’s India and Agrawal declined to comment on the financials of the deal, or details of terms of operation.

McDonald’s, with its captive mass appeal and aggressive entry-level pricing, is one of the largest players in the fast food service space in the country. After a protracted legal battle which lasted nearly six years, McDonald’s India and its affiliate McDonald’s Global Markets LLC had bought out Bakshi’s stake in their joint venture Connaught Plaza Restaurants Ltd (CPRL) in May last year in an out-of-court settlement. Since then, McDonald’s India took over the management of CPRL and has been running its 165 stores on its own.

In December last year, Agrawal’s Moon Beverages had bought out Coca-Cola-owned bottling partner Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages’ (HCCB’s) bottling territories in Delhi-NCR and Western UP. McDonalds’s and Coca-Cola also have a long-standing exclusive global beverage partnership.

To meet consumers' changing expectations and preferences, McDonald’s has announced that it will fully transition to cage-free eggs for its nearly 16,000 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada over the next 10 years.

"Our customers are increasingly interested in knowing more about their food and where it comes from," said McDonald's USA President Mike Andres. "Our decision to source only cage-free eggs reinforces the focus we place on food quality and our menu to meet and exceed our customers' expectations."

"We're proud of the work we're doing with farmers and suppliers to advance environmentally and socially conscious practices for the animals in our supply chain," said Marion Gross, senior vice president and Chief Supply Chain Officer of McDonald's North America. "This is a bold move and we're confident in our ability to provide a quality, safe, and consistent supply."

On an annual basis, McDonald's USA purchases approximately two billion eggs and McDonald's Canada purchases 120 million eggs to serve on its breakfast menus, which includes popular breakfast sandwiches, such as the Egg McMuffin and Egg White Delight. Since 2011, McDonald's USA has been purchasing more than 13 million cage-free eggs annually.

"Animal welfare has always been important to us and our customers," added Gross. "Today's announcement is another big milestone building on our work with industry experts and suppliers to improve the treatment of animals."

Herbruck's Poultry Ranch, a family-owned and operated farm in Michigan, has worked with McDonald's for decades to supply nutritious eggs. "Cage-free systems play an important role in our work to keep hens healthy and meet the growing consumer demand for responsibly-sourced food," said Greg Herbruck, executive vice president of Herbruck's Poultry Ranch. "We welcome McDonald's actions to continue these efforts and are pleased to join them in sourcing cage-free eggs across their supply chain. We continue embracing new technologies and strategies to ensure our hens are well-cared for."

In 2000, McDonald's USA was the first food service company to adopt a standard for hen housing systems, which provided more space per bird than the industry standard. In 2010, the company initiated research with the Coalition for a Sustainable Egg Supply to better understand the impact of various hen housing systems on animal health and welfare, the environment, worker health, food safety and food affordability. This research provided important insights into the trade-offs of various housing systems for the company to make informed sourcing decisions.

Today's news follows other actions announced this year by McDonald's USA to source only chicken raised without antibiotics important to human medicine by 2017 and to offer milk jugs of low-fat white milk and fat-free chocolate milk from cows that have not been treated with rbST, an artificial growth hormone.

In addition, McDonald's USA introduced the Artisan Grilled Chicken patty, seasoned with simple, everyday ingredients and introduced a new contemporary salad blend of romaine, baby spinach and baby kale. McDonald's is also moving from liquid margarine to real butter on English muffins, biscuits and bagels on the breakfast menu and has introduced a new Buttermilk Crispy Chicken, which uses real buttermilk in the breading. McDonald's Canada introduced a salad leaf blend, including baby kale, in its three chef-inspired contemporary salads in May 2015.

McDonalds are famous for its speedy queues, drive-thrus and fast food in paper cartons but now it going to offer British customers table service for the first time.

Shortly a server will ask who types customers' orders into an iPad at their table "Would you like fries with that?"

The fast food giant is testing the service at 12 branches across the UK beginning with Mottram, Greater Manchester. And if it get successful, table service will be rolled out nationally, though there will still be an option to order at the till.

The company says, it hopes that this service will provide customers with a more relaxed modern dining experience.

This table service is already in place in branches in France, Germany and Australia.

McDonald’s spokesman says that they have listened to customer feedback and to meet their evolving expectations and are significantly investing in restaurants to create this exciting new environment and improve the customer experience.

They are also testing some new concepts such as table service, whereby customers place their order via new digital kiosks and then their food will brought to them.