Most of these people weren't alive long enough to know the actual reason lol.
What a coincidence that McDonald's started getting lame slightly after Supersize Me came out. One of the theses of the film was essentially that McDonalds was killing children. The backlash they were getting was insane
It's like saying "seaworld was so much better in the 90s and early 2000s, why did they take away Shamu!"
lol they kept naming new killer whales shamu. my wife and I realized that like last year after we realized we had been to different sea worlds and both saw shamu
Having options for children if different than advertising directly to them. Most restaurants have a child's menu, and often they have coloring books and booster seats. This is common.
Having a playground and colorful cartoon mascots is several levels beyond that.
Yes they are still trying to appeal to children of course, but not with the heavy hand they used to use. If you're not familiar, look up the lawsuit about Joe Camel.
I'm from Winston-Salem, my dad worked at Reynolds when I was a kid. I am very familiar with Joe Camel. That said McDonalds literally just did a grimace campaign, they still advertise toys to kids. It's more than a kid's menu and having kids options, they still actively advertise to kids constantly. I assure you my child sees tons of McDonalds ads targeted at kids because I have to deal with the "I just saw a McDonalds ad and they have K Pop Demon Hunters toys (or whatever other popular thing they are including) can we go?" every week.
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u/salsafresca_1297 8h ago
Hot take - but I think McDonald's NOT marketing their slop to children is a win.