Mcdonalds in Japan Part 2 (Jee In Chung)

So how can Macdonalds in Japan be so successful? First of all, it has a very hygienic atmosphere so when you walk into Macdonalds, you will not put on a frown on your face and pinch your nose due to the foul smell. Instead, you will be welcomed by the smiles of the workers with the delicious smell of French fries (in Japan, they call it potato). The tables and chairs are arranged and wiped every time a customer leaves.

Secondly, Macdonalds has a promotion for a new kind of burger starting in November. This promotion consists of four types of burgers which rotate every week. They are called Texas burger, Idaho burger, Miami burger and Manhattan burger. Because of its rotation, people are more curious as to trying out the new tastes of the burgers before they are too late! This, I believe, is one of the reasons why you see such a long line up at every Macdonalds. I have tried all three burgers except the Texas burger which I hear is the best one according to my friends. This is why I’m waiting for the weeks to rotate to try it out. It may seem like it’s not really worthwhile to keep track of the weeks to try out the burgers. But I think this rotation of selection of burgers have definitely played an important role in allowing people to have more interest in what Macdonalds is doing with its business and how fast the menu is changing . There are more to the menu change other than these four burgers. The changes are with drinks, chicken nuggets and desserts. Also, there is a burger named Terriyaki burger which is a burger with Japanese teriyaki sauce. This burger can be found only in Japan because it’s Japanese edition.

Thirdly, unlike Canada and America the number of Mcdonald stores are growing every month because of its popularity; therefore, you are constantly exposed to Macdonald flyers, posters and advertisements everyday so you will be more likely to try it out. Also, every time you visit and order something in Mcdonalds, you will receive some sort of discount coupon so this also motivates to return to their stores.

Lastly, if you are short on budget, trust the 100 yen menu at Macdonalds. You can easily see junior school students munching away their chicken nuggets or apple pie which is on the 100 yen menu.  On the 100 yen menu, there are burgers, chicken nuggests, drinks and desserts and they are quite filling.

So ever since coming to Japan, my perception of Macdonalds has changed a lot and actually started to admire how the business game has been working quite successfully in Japan. It is a comfortable place to hang out with your friends and enjoy a burger and fries from time to time. I wouldn’t recommend going to Mcdonalds every day for every single meal but it’s not so bad to have some once a week, right?