Assignment
Instructions: Assuming the role of a management consultant, critically review and respond substantively to the review below. Focus your review and (respectful) response on the strength of your colleague's supporting argument and evidence, on presenting alternative perspectives, and on sharing insights that may prove helpful. Try to ask a direct question.
Review:
The story of McDonalds' dates back to 1954, when Ray Kroc first discovered the small restaurant in California. Since then it has become of the world's leading food service brands with more than 36,000 restaurants that span across more than 100 countries. We will analyze this brand using a popular business tool called a SWOT analysis. SWOT stands for strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats, but for now we are focusing on the strengths and weaknesses. Strengths and weaknesses are things a company has some control over and can change.
McDonalds' Strengths
• Second largest restaurant network with 37,241 locations
• Most recognizable brand in food industry
• Continues to add new menu items, expanding their menu choices
• Operations are spread around the world, exposing itself to multiple currency types and economies
• Independent franchise opportunities
• Partnerships with major brand, Coca Cola
• Gives back to communities through Ronald McDonald House Charities, National Scholarship HACER, Black & Positively Golden and My InspriAsian
McDonalds' Weaknesses
• Harder to expand domestically due to many locations (oversaturated market in the United States) best rate of growth will have to occur internationally
• High employee turnover in the U.S. locations due to low wages
• Negative publicity due to health concerns associated with menu options (food is considered to be unhealthy due to increasing portion sizes and high fat, carbs, salt and sugar)
• Expansion of menu items does not include options (or very limited options) for vegans, vegetarian and those who do not consume gluten or soy.
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.