McDonald's Goes Local

http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/april_first_2005/go_local



PPS helps fast food behemoth supply franchises with meat and produce from
local farmers markets

In an abrupt departure from current practice, the McDonald's Corporation
[NYSE:MCD] announced today that its 30,000 franchises will now acquire all
their produce from local farmers markets. The shift is expected to generate
demand for new farmers markets wherever there is a McDonald's restaurant.

The switch to local suppliers is the first phase of McDonald's new strategic
plan, which will be ushered in with the marketing catchphrase "Go Local!"

"We saw the writing on the wall," said CEO Jim Skinner. "Economies of scale
aren't going to cut it anymore. These days, you've got to go local or get
out of town."

Sources within the company say that plans to acquire lettuce, cheese,
pickles, and onions from local growers have been in place for months, but
only recently have logistical hurdles for special sauce and sesame seed buns
been cleared. "Actually," said an anonymous executive, "most Big Macs will
probably come on millet bread now. And the fries will be cut from different
varieties of heirloom potatoes according to the season."

Public market experts David O'Neil, Steve Davies, and Chris Heitmann of
Project for Public Spaces will oversee the integration of market vendors
into the McDonald's supply chain. "We think phase one of 'Go Local!' is
great," said Davies, "but what we're really excited about is phase two."

Leaked memos indicate that phase two will involve converting McDonald's
parking lots into open-air public markets, opening Playland areas to the
public, and closing drive-thru lanes to vehicle traffic to form links in a
global network of greenways . . .