yumsugar -- To die for.

Gordon Ramsay's Company Voted Top Chain

YumSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0800

A recent UK poll indicates that Gordon Ramsay Holdings is the most admired restaurant brand in Great Britain. The restaurant group of the famed chef and TV personality Gordon Ramsay topped the list of restaurant chain operators in a survey by consulting firm Allegra Strategies, beating McDonald's, which ranked number three, by two spots.

Ramsay owns 11 restaurants in the UK alone, plus three pubs, as well dining spots in New York, Los Angeles, Prague, Versailles, Dubai, and Tokyo, among others.

I must admit that I wonder how Gordon Ramsay can keep it together with so many ventures on his plate. I also have to question how the upscale dining mogul's company can be put in the same category as a fast-food chain like McDonald's. Given how many dining brands he has to manage, do you think Ramsay's reputation for excellence is well deserved?

Source and Source

McDonald's Unveils Global Redesign

YumSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:15:16 -0700

Next month, number one fast-food giant McDonald's will unveil a redesign of all its food products around the world. In what the corporation calls "the most comprehensive rollout in the brand's history," all 118 countries with McDonald's restaurants will launch new designs that advertise the chain's high-quality ingredients. The packaging, developed by UK marketing firm Boxer, draws attention to fresh ingredients and preparation: The new Big Mac box includes images of an onion, slices of cheese, a head of lettuce, and a freshly made hamburger, with the words "100 percent beef" and "all-beef patties" inscribed on the box. The containers will hit the US, UK, and Ireland first. Mary Dillon, global chief marketing officer for McDonald's said:

Our new packaging is a fresh way of sharing McDonald's food quality story with our customers. The more people know about our food, the more they'll love it.

What do you think of the new designs? I think they're refreshing, and McDonald's is counting on them to boost its reputation after it will have to break the news to consumers about switching its Double Cheeseburger to a McDouble burger with only one slice of cheese. Do you think the redesign will cast McDonald's in a more health-positive light?

Source

Yummy Links: From Vintage McDonald's to Pomegranates

partysugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 06:45:35 -0700

A blast from the past: the first McDonald's commercial. — A Hamburger Today
Save cherished wine labels with this wine label lifter. — Coveiter
The top 10 weirdest food Halloween costumes. — Endless Simmer
Want more weird Halloween stuff? Check out these crazily carved pumpkins. — TheEpi-Log
Ten organic beers worth sipping. — Forecast Earth
How to properly steep tea. — Chow
Everything you need to know about pomegranates. — The Kitchn

Photo by Kathryn Hill

McDonald's Dollar Menu Here to Stay

YumSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:00:43 -0700

Top fast food chain McDonald's announced its third-quarter earnings today, and made reassurances that it would continue its efforts to be "recession-resistant."

The corporation made sure to squash swirling rumors that its dollar menu may become a thing of the past. There will, in fact, still be a dollar menu. "We advertised it heavily in September," said COO Ralph Alvarez. "We wouldn't have done that if we were going to be walking away from it."

McDonald's has, however, been testing the menu's key item, the double cheeseburger, at higher prices and with one piece of cheese rather than two, as a result of the rising commodity costs. "We expect to have a decision [on the double cheeseburger] soon," said CEO Jim Skinner. Will you be watching to see what's on the new dollar menu?

Source

Man Tries to Pay For McDonald's Meal With Pot

YumSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:00:47 -0700

The economic downturn has forced many people to save money on food in unconventional ways, from reinventing leftovers to organizing food swaps. However, one man may have crossed the line when it comes to creativity.

Shawn Pannullo was arrested in Vero Beach, FL, for trying to pay for his McDonald's meal with pot. The incident occurred just after midnight, at which time a McDonald's cashier called 911. Pannullo, 27, was charged with possession of cannabis and posted $500 bail. A report didn't disclose whether he ultimately paid for the meal using something other than marijuana.

While possession of cannabis is obviously a crime, I must admit I find this story entertaining. The report also failed to list what Pannullo ordered at McDonald's. I'm guessing . . . three of everything?

Source

New McDonald's Commercials Take a Deeper Jab at Starbucks

YumSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:30:50 -0700

In an effort to further promote its new McCafé coffee bars, fast-food chain McDonald's has released a new set of clips that make fun of the coffeehouse scene popularized by Starbucks, billing it as a stuffy store overrun with brooding intellectuals.

This isn't the first of the campaign against Starbucks: Earlier this year, we took notice of the new McDonald's site Unsnobbycoffee.com, which touts McDonald's coffee as simple, easy, and unpretentious when compared to Starbucks. The new commercials take this concept one step further. "Now we don't have to listen to jazz all day long!" one woman proclaims in the segment below. Check out the commercial for yourself and tell me: Do you find it funny, or is McDonald's, with its new segments that mock Starbucks, taking its ad campaign one step too far?

Get Flash to see this player.

Source

Burger King Turns Trans Fat Free

YumSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:00:16 -0700

Yesterday, Burger King announced that all of its restaurants in the US and Canada have made the switch to cooking with trans fat free oils. The second most popular fast food chain also announced that all of its menu items, including baked goods, will contain zero grams of trans fat by Nov. 1 — earlier than the company anticipated.

According to a statement issued by Burger King, customers who tried the new trans fat free foods were either unable to tell a difference in the taste of menu items or felt that the products tasted even better. The hamburger chain attributes this to its two proprietary blends of three oils.

The company has fallen under criticism for taking so long to cut out trans fat oils: Both KFC and Taco Bell switched in 2007, and Wendy's a year before that. Number one fast food chain McDonald's is now one of the last to make the complete switch, promising a menu free of trans fats by the end of the year.

Source

Do You Eat at American Chains While in a Foreign Country?

partysugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:15:15 -0700

Do You Eat at American Chains While in a Foreign Country?

Yes, I love to check out the country's perspective of American food chains.

No, when I travel I prefer to avoid all things American.

I try not to, but sometimes I end up at a McDonald's.

Other — Fill me in below!

Yummy Links: From Kitschy Kitchens to Top Chef 5

partysugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:45:12 -0700

Decorate your kitchen with these kitschy, retro-glam finds. — Hostess with the Mostess
Make gourmet coffee at home. — Slashfood
New to cooking? Check a beginner cookbook out of your library. — Chow
Just how good are Starbucks's smoothies? — Baking Bites
Get to know David Chang of Momofuku fame a little better. — Serious Eats
Take a look at San Francisco's just-planted Slow Food Nation Victory Garden. — CasaSugar
Cookthink gets a stylish new makeover. — Cookthink
Learn how to make crispy and delicious fried green tomatoes. — The Kitchn
Help McDonald's name its new dollar menu. — The Epi-Log
Calling all New Yorkers: be on the lookout for the filming of Top Chef Season 5! — Eater

Source

Morning News Anchors Drink McDonald's Coffee (For Cash)

partysugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:10:59 -0700

Morning News Anchors Drink McDonald's Coffee (For Cash)
Each morning news anchors on Fox's Las Vegas affiliate sit in front of very visible McDonald's iced coffee cups, part of a product-placement deal. The fast-food chain sponsors the two-hour morning news-and-lifestyle segment, but instead of commercial breaks, the advertisement happens during the news.

Yummy Links: From Hamburgers to Cheesecake Brownies

partysugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:45:14 -0700

A brief history of America's greatest food icon: the hamburger. — Chow
Potatoes make a tasty companion to hamburgers, here's how to cook them under the grill. — The Kitchn
Consuming fruit juice may be linked to type 2 diabetes. — Slashfood
Does one's political leanings affect the taste of wine? — The Epi-Log
Meet the ten healthiest beverages. — FitSugar
Pack a budget friendly and healthy lunch. — GlamDish
McDonald's has cracked a giant egg in Chicago. — Serious Eats
Treat your loved ones to delicious cheesecake brownies. — Baking Bites

Source

Could You Eat an All McDonald's Diet?

YumSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:45:56 -0700

In what could be the strangest morsel of food news this week, a Virginia man named Chris Coleson has lost 86 pounds since December by eating nothing but McDonald's. Aspiring to be the Mickey D's equivalent of Subway's Jared, Coleson ate a "diet" consisting of McDonald's "salads, wraps, apple-walnut salads, and the occasional cheeseburger." McDonald's isn't planning to sign Coleson as a spokeperson (oddly, the company has Heidi Klum endorsing its wraps in Germany). If McDonald's paid you, would you go on Coleson's diet?Source

Could You Eat an All McDonald's Diet?

Yes! It sounds like a good excuse to eat McDonald's.

Yes, but McDonald's would have to pay me a lot.

Maybe. I'd probably get bored after a while.

No way! That is just wrong.

Other — Tell us below.

Raise Your Hand If You Like Freebies!

YumSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:00:51 -0700

Tomorrow, May 15, there are two fast-food freebies for you to catch. The first involves free chicken sandwiches, and the second involves free coffee.

First up, McDonald's is promoting their new Southern Style Chicken Biscuits and Sandwiches by giving them away at 14,000 of their US locations. If you purchase a medium or large beverage you can get a free chicken biscuit from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or a free chicken sandwich from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. They're expecting to give away over eight million sandwiches, so be sure to get yours!

If you're not a chicken or McD's fan, then head over to your local Dunkin' Donuts where you can score yourself a free iced coffee with no strings attached. It's a small 16 oz. iced coffee and is available from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

So tell me, are you going to hunt down one of these freebies?

Guess Who?

YumSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:15:18 -0700

Guess which foodie celebrity was on hand to unveil McDonald's Southern Style Lunch last week?

Yummy Links: From Brown Butter to Conservas

partysugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:33:55 -0700

Learn all about flavor enhancing, nutty brown butter. — Baking Bites
How the television show Check Please has affected the restaurant scene. — Gourmet
Recent studies prove it's bad to go to McDonald's when you're hungry. — Serious Eats
What exactly does the term "short" mean in baking? — The Kitchn
News to me: vegetarians who enjoy the smell of bacon! — Slate
The majority of you grill year round, so be sure to check out these ten tips for successful grilling. —Chow
Amy's not the only one, I too, am crazy for Spain's scrumptious conservas. — Cooking With Amy

Source

How Do You Order Big Macs Around the World?

YumSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:00:34 -0700

In 1988, McDonald's announced their plan to set up 20 golden arches in Moscow. This marked an end to a quiet 10 year-long discussion, and the first Moscow McD's opened that fall. When it did, the people of Moscow were able to plonk down 1% of their monthly salary in order to enjoy a Big Mac. However, they didn't call it a Big Mac. Do you know what they called it? To find out, take our quiz on regional Big Mac variations and names!

Source

New McDonald's Uniforms: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:29:03 -0700

Earlier this week McDonald's revealed the looks of their new British uniforms. Designed by couturier Bruce Oldfield, the uniforms — in a mocha, biscuit, and white color scheme — consist of collared shirts, baseball caps, and suits. The uniform update is part of McDonald's ongoing efforts to modernize the style and feel of the fast food experience. While I think it's an interesting idea, an ill fitting suit is never attractive and I can't imagine that the suits will be tailored to fit all 67,000 employees. How about you? What do you think of the uniforms? Source

New McDonald's Uniforms: Love It or Hate It?

Love it.

Hate it.

Undecided

Yummy Links: From Unsnobby Coffee to Cocktail Tales

YumSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:29:19 -0700

With all the Starbucks talk, we almost missed that McDonald's launched UnSnobbyCoffee.com. — Gawker
When you head out for a fancy meal, should you be dressed fancy too? — Chow
Looking for a bright and refreshing drink? Try this Indian Mango Cocktail. — GlamDish
Malt-O-Meal puffed cereals may be salmonella outbreak source — BarfBlog
Don't miss this serious eating tour of Fort Worth, Texas. — Serious Eats
Tickets have gone on sale for this year's Tales of the Cocktail. — Slashfood

Say Farewell to Herb Peterson, Inventor of the Egg McMuffin

YumSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:40:18 -0700

Folks, it's a sad day in the breakfast world. Herb Peterson, the 89-year-old inventor of the Egg McMuffin, passed away Tuesday at his home in Santa Barbara. While most may not be familiar with his name, they are definitely familiar with his creations. In addition to coming up with McDonald's first national slogan, "Where Quality Starts Fresh Every Day," and creating Ronald McDonald's outfit, he introduced the world to the deliciousness that is the Egg McMuffin. He created the sandwich for McDonald's in 1972, and the fast-food breakfast world was never again the same. What began at his McDonald's franchise in Santa Barbara soon spread across the nation and was happily gobbled up by millions. It's been a while since I've had one — I'm never early enough for breakfast! — but I'm going to have to remedy that so I can raise a proper ~~toast~~ muffin to Herb.

Will you do the same? Are you interested in Egg McMuffins?

Source

Free McSkillet Burritos This Thursday and Friday

YumSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:43:14 -0800

A few months ago, I saw a sign outside of a McDonald's that said "Now Serving the McSkillet Burrito." When I read it I had to chuckle a little bit, this was near San Francisco's Mission District, an area known for its burritos. At the time, the McSkillet wasn't nationally available, and I wondered if it was just something that franchise was trying to compete with the local market. I wondered what they tasted like, but wasn't curious enough to go try one.

Well, now I've got a chance to do it for free. And if you're also curious about what the now nationally-available burrito tastes like, you'll be able to do it for free, too. This Thursday and Friday (Feb. 28 and 29) McDonald's is giving away free McSkillet Burritos with purchase of a medium or large drink. They are expecting to give away 1 million burritos each day, but you better remember early, it's available during breakfast hours only.

So will you be headed to McD's for your free McSkillet?

Source

Would You Dine at This McDonald's?

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:15:19 -0800

McDonald's recently opened their first feng shui inspired restaurant in Hacienda Heights, CA. There are water elements, earth tones, red accents and exotic fauna. The franchise owner said they did this to create a soothing environment for their customers to enjoy their dining experience. So tell me, do you think you'd enjoy this feng shui-ed McD's?

Would You Dine at This McDonald's?

Sure, it looks neat.

Sure, but I would've eaten there anyway.

Maybe, if I happened to be there.

Nope, a McD's is still a McD's.

Other — I'll tell you in the comments.

McDonald's Will Serve Up a Song With Your Fries

YumSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:20:31 -0800

McDonald's Will Serve Up a Song With Your Fries:
McDonald's released a casting call to its 1.6 million restaurant workers worldwide for its second biannual Voice of McDonald's contest. The first contest was in 2006 but this year there's a twist — people can vote online for their favorite contestants.

Can the McCafe Take On Starbucks?

YumSugar — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:13:31 -0800

This Fall, your local McDonald's is going to experience the biggest change in 30 years: baristas. That's right, according to the Wall Street Journal, McDonald's locations nationwide will install coffee bars that serve up cappuccinos, lattes, mochas, and frappes. They will be located at the front, near the registers, and customers can watch their drinks being made; a big departure from the rest of the food prep. In addition to coffee, there is also talk of smoothies and bottled beverages.

Interestingly enough, the McCafe — as it's being branded — has already taken off worldwide, but I wonder how they'll do here. I'm curious to see what happens. As the article states, there's been a bit of a learning curve; not all McD's patrons know what a latte is. However I'm sure once their customers figure it out, they'll be ordering them in no time. What do you think? Is the McCafe a threat to Starbucks?

To check out a video of the espresso machines at work in the test McDonald's in Kansas,

Yummy Link: McDonald's Topped Pizza

YumSugar — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:27:11 -0800

Apparently there are some things in life that just need to be created. This time it was McDonald's topped pizza. Complete with chicken nuggets, cheeseburgers and fries. Oh and in the last pic, what is with the gun!? — Rabat Joie

Yummy Link: Make McDonald's Nuggets at Home

partysugar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:30:00 -0700

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to make these McDonald's style chicken nuggets at home. They are perfect football watching food! — For the Love of Food

Hamburger, Fries and a Side of WiFi

geeksugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:19:39 -0700

Hamburger, Fries and a Side of WiFi

In case you didn't know, many McDonald's are now wifi hot spots. Is this the weirdest place you've seen wifi or what?

Think You Know a Big Mac?

YumSugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 07:11:38 -0700

McDonald's famous burger, The Big Mac, turns 40 this year. Love it or hate it, the Big Mac has become a cultural force to be reckoned with. To celebrate the birthday of the hefty sandwich, I thought it would be fun to run a little quiz. How well do you know the Big Mac?!

McGlobal Village

YumSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 07:03:38 -0700

One of the weirdest things about globalization is how everything is the same and yet totally different. You'd think that no matter where you go, a McDonald's would be a McDonald's right? Wrong! If you've never been to an International McDonald's, you might not know what you're missing. For example, in Germany you can order a Big McFeast and a cup of beer, whereas in Norway you can opt for the McLaks - a sandwich made from grilled salmon and dill sauce. Personally I love how you can get an Ebi (shrimp) burger in Japan, and rice burgers in Hong Kong and Taiwan. How about you, have you ever discovered anything interesting on an International McDonald's menu?

Source: Trifter
Image Source

McMoms Tell It Like It Is

YumSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:01:31 -0700

Not so surprisingly, a recent survey states that 90% of moms think it's important that fast-food restaurants provide info about the food they're serving. What is surprising is that McDonald's heard their concerns and is inviting moms to go behind the counter in order to discover how the food is prepared. Their new "Moms' Quality Correspondents" are planning on meeting with McDonald's chefs, nutritionists, suppliers, execs, and more. They'll also be able to check out new products and supplier facilities.

The interesting thing about all of this? The McMoms will be blogging about their experience (well, sort of, I'm sure McD's will have some sway in what they say since it's hosted on their site). However, as Susan Forsell, McDonald's VP of US Quality Systems stated:

"These are real moms, with real opinions and real questions about the
food they are feeding their families.

It will be interesting to see where they go, and what they discover, but something tells me if something goes wrong, that won't show up in the journal.

Source: PR Newswire

McCafes on the Champs Elysees

YumSugar — Fri, 04 May 2007 07:59:32 -0700

Does Paris have room for another cafe? I guess that's a pretty silly question - sort of like asking whether or not I have room for another baked good (hint: the answer is always yes). However, does Paris have room for another McCafe? That's right a McCafe, as in McDonald's. Over the next two years, McDonald's is hoping to open 250 McDonald's-branded cafes in France. The move is being considered by McDonald's as a way to be considered more than just an American hamburger joint. The pilot McCafe is open now on the Champs Elysees and does not feature the classic McD's red & yellow colors, it uses a darker, richer color palette instead.

I'm personally not sure how this will do (although Starbucks broke through eventually), so maybe people will be okay with this. What I want to know is, if it does well in Paris, will McD's try to open some McCafes in the US too?

Source: Yummr

Love McNuggets? Thank The People Of Knoxville

partysugar — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 00:01:11 -0700

If you love McDonald's chicken nuggets and are looking for someone to hate for your unhealthy addiction, don't blame the employees of McDonalds. Instead point a finger to the residents of Knoxville, Tennessee. Before chicken nuggets made their debut at McDonald's in 1983 (I'm older than the chicken nugget, who knew?) Ronald and his crew had to test market the bites of fried goodness and they chose Knoxville as the lucky city to evaluate their popularity. On today's date, 27 years ago, the chicken nugget was first offered in Knoxville's McDonalds. They were such a hit Ronald and co. had to quickly look for a secondary supplier of "chicken" (how much real chicken goes into producing the nuggets?). The rest of the story is, of course, history as McDonald's has made chicken nuggets one of America's most well liked finger foods.

Free Caffeine Fix For All!

YumSugar — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 01:39:52 -0800

Since most of you seem to enjoy caffeine, I thought I'd let you know that there are THREE days this month (that's right, three!) when you can get a cuppa for free.

The first is today ( March 8 ) at participating McDonald's. They're handing out free cups of coffee to anyone who asks for it. This is because they recently beat out Starbucks in a taste test. On a related note, I just read that they're planning on expanding espresso drinks nationally.

The second is next Thursday ( March 15 ) - Starbucks is promoting its second annual "coffee break" by pouring free 12oz cups of brewed coffee between 10am - noon.

The last one is the following Wednesday ( March 21 ) - Dunkin' Donuts celebrates the first day of spring with a free 16oz cup of iced coffee.

So mark your calendars folks, free caffeine for all!

Thanks to our pals at Serious Eats for pointing us to these dates.

All Day Breakfast at McDonald's? What Will You Order?

YumSugar — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 03:17:33 -0800

Here's one from the rumor mill... Looks like McDonald's may be gearing up and overhauling their kitchens to accommodate for all-day breakfast. These days (unlike my high school days), I try to steer clear from fast food, however on the random occasion I'll get the oddest craving for an Egg McMuffin. Usually, since these cravings come well after the breakfast hour, they go un-satiated and I have to move on to other foods. But now, with a possible all-day breakfast in the works, I'm going to have to rely on sensibility and will-power to keep me away.

The company is asking franchisees to spend about $10,000 to reconfigure their kitchens and install new equipment, such as holding cabinets for McGriddles and hotcakes, to shave precious seconds off breakfast assembly time.

Source: The ConsumeristSo how about you guys, if McD's starts doing all-day breakfast, what will be your breakfast vice?

All Day Breakfast at McDonald's? What Will You Order?

Hashbrowns

McGriddles

Egg McMuffin

Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit

Hotcakes and Sausage

Other - Let us know below

None - I don't care if it's served 30 hours a day, I'll never eat McDs.