McDonalds CaseEssay Preview: McDonalds CaseReport this essayI stop each morning at my local McDonalds for a “caffeine fix” of a large Diet Coke. I am a regular there, just like Norm at Cheers, where I enjoy my name being used, just as I know each employee. I like that I am greeted with a friendly smile each day, and one is always offered in return. I have my usual table, just like my normal pew at church, and yes, I find myself upset if someone is in my spot. It is a respite for me, and has become my daily routine for years, except on the occasional day if I am sick, out of town, or on a holiday, when they have always been closed. Now, growing up in church, I am a true believer in both Christmas and Easter, and the scared meaning of them, so imagine my surprise back in November, when I walk in to see a sign on the door that said McDonalds would be open for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. While this truly bothered me, it wasnt until this past first week of March, when the new sign on the door announced they will be open on Easter, did I finally feel I needed to put my foot down.
While Thanksgiving has always been special to me, I have always reverently believed that both Christmas and Easter are two days that all retailers should be closed. Truth be told, I feel all federally recognized holiday should be observed by al, but in particular those two. It is understandable, with families spread out and travel being necessary, that gas stations and hotels, may find the need to be open. I will even grant that a pharmacy might find the need as well, but for the bulk of retailers, they should be closed, allowing families to be together. Whether you celebrates those days for their true religious meanings, or it is more of a day about food, fun, and family, the majorities of families and their values, have always reserved those two days of just that, time with family.
I have talked to several friends and colleagues regarding their feelings on large corporate companies opening on what once were sacred days. Some friends voiced their verbal disdain for the action, but others took the attitude that thats just the way it is now. I completely disagree; it doesnt just have to be that way. I sat down last week and wrote letters to several McDonalds executives and a local multiple franchise owner, asking which McDonalds restaurants they will be working in this coming Easter Sunday, since it is that important to be open. The way I see it, shouldnt responsible and respectable business owners be willing to work on those holidays they are asking employees to work? Maybe I would feel better if I felt they were doing it to truly serve the community, but they are not. There wont be free coffee or discounted food for weary travelers and I am certain that the bulk of employees will not be receiving
I agree, and also have a strong case that a McDonalds will be less profitable with smaller employees taking on less responsibility. In this view, the move will actually increase the impact of the shift on employee morale, leading to decreased satisfaction, more turnover and less competitive performance, and ultimately decrease customer service and overall quality of life. The decision to open an entire chain of McDonalds will likely have an adverse impact on overall restaurant performance, but it also will affect overall employee experience.
I personally believe that moving the chain in the direction you are planning would lower overall satisfaction, decrease business confidence and thereby lower the number of workers who will choose McDonalds. But do you agree with me? This would affect more people in general and probably have a greater impact of lowering the number of employees.
I think I personally would prefer that the chain be open, but I don’t think I would personally want to close the place, and I think that they should certainly be doing that much more. I prefer open, but I would prefer my company to simply be part of the larger effort to open all their restaurants so that all people get the same customer service and results. I have talked to a number of my colleagues and partners about moving the chain to a new location.
It’s probably a nice way to explain the reasoning behind this move, but for some reasons the “new location” is a great opportunity to gain an increasing number of workers for a brand whose goal is to cater to workers of all types who want the same things over and over again. I have been doing this a little and I feel it has created more than a few problems in this area.