A quick pit stop for people to grab a bite, a cheap senior hangout (at breakfast), a place to park kids (hence those play areas many have)... and they still keep trying various attempts to go "premium" (and the whole wifi+mccafe run at Sbux.)

At least they've largely abandoned the unhealthy maximum-calories-for-the-buck "young and hungry" demographic to other fast food chains; Carl's and Jack in the Box are the worst for that.

It also makes for a decent place to use the bathroom in a pinch. Also, if you just have a credit or debit card they aren't finicky about the whole "minimum purchase" requirement like some gas stations if you need a soda.

A new offering you can start shunning on Sept. 24.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...rants/2700313/

Wings at McDs in Hong Kong were good years ago when I had them. They weren't battered or sauced though. Just the way I like wings.

Sadly, from time to time I find myself in a strange place, desperate for something to eat and very wary of the limited greasy and dirty other options. This is where McDs comes into its own. However, these places tend to be in poor areas (otherwise there would be somewhere preferable to go). I do find, though, that the McDs I visit in the USA are in worse physical condition than elsewhere. The decor is dowdier, often the seats/tables are showing some physical damage and sometimes they are less than clean. Whilst I come across the latter two sometimes elsewhere, it's the exception rather than the rule. Almost invariably the decor seems fresher outside the USA, where it looks very 70s. The "food" seems the same everywhere.

Here in the mid-Atlantic region, many of the McDonald's have been recently rebuilt or renovated. In my town, they literally tore the place down to the ground and rebuilt. It didn't improve the service there any, or for that matter the style of the place, but I would not call the ones in this area dowdy. It is always almost Disney clean.

I'm still annoyed that they downsized the apple slices packet.

^ Definitely agree with you on that. The ones in China can also be ordered with spicy flavoring, and they're surprisingly good fried chicken wings. I'm thinking I'll try these "Mighty Wings" when they come out once, judge that they're "meh not bad," and go back to my life.

"The (Mighty Wings) sauces include Chipotle Barbeque, Creamy Ranch, Honey or Hot Mustard, Spicy Buffalo, Sweet Chili, Sweet 'N Sour, Honey and Barbeque."

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2...-national-menu

The new McFlurry flavor look interesting, too.

Dumbdowned over the years.. MacDonalds was the leader in getting cheap food into hands fast. Nowadays with the competition, MacDonalds is starting to renovate and cleanup their act, which is great to see. Getting rid of dilapidated locations, and renovating new locations that work. Working with new concepts that seem trendy.

Name of the game has been get cheap food into hands fast.. nowadays its about the experience, and leaving a good impression, so that the customer has no problem dining there the next time.. Afterall, MacDonalds is still the most convenient fastfood in America hands down.

I like the European McDonald's better. For example they had some kind of burger-designing contest in Germany some months ago. Everyone could make a proposal and the best five can be bought now.

Today's Mc D employee strike doesn't help that proposition in 50 US cities.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-0...50-cities.html

Funny, McDonalds in Canada is top 100 and top 50 best employers recently..

http://www.mcdonalds.ca/ca/en/career..._benefits.html

http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/10/18/c...est-employers/

Not a stark difference between the two countries regarding product and service that I've seen this year.

Oh, those McDonalds radio ads on Bayern3 are absolutely vomit-inducing, as are some of the print ads.

'Asian month' is always interesting in Germany...

McDonalds has been replaced by Burger King in many places in Germany, including a large number of Autobahn rest stops and at MUC (I don't patronise either)

And the German slow/fast food chain Nordsee seems to have also been replaced by either Burger King or Subway in a number of places too. McDonalds doesn't seem as popular anymore?

(I will admit that I recently stood outside a McDonalds in London whilst my German colleague satisfied his craving. I went to EAT instead for my meal, and we met back up to eat outside)

Im glad Burger King is making a comeback. My wife likes McDonalds cheeseburgers because they are thin and flat (expensive for what you get). But, if there is a Burger King, my wife will take a cheeseburger from there. At HNL last night, there was a Burger King, and I got her a Whopper with Cheese. The kids liked the Hershey sundae pies.. Alas, our flight was final call, and announced our the PA.. "where is Maestro Family of Four, Final Call." We rushed off and left everything thats left on the table.

And many are not happy to see the continued spread of American junk food imperialism. At least McDonalds acknowledges local culture and taste; Burger King does not.