Thank Your Happy Meal for This Guy

From the May 22,2019, Chicago  Tribune, "Marketing company founder helped develop Happy Meal" obituary for Bernard "Bud" Frankel.

He helped other companies sell their products for 40 years as a co-founder of marketing services business Frankel and Company. Their biggest hit was McDonald's Happy Meal.

BERNARD "BUD" FRANKEL, 89

Died May 14, 2019

In 1973, his company began it relationship with McDonald's, who already had a company for advertising, but felt they needed help in promotion.

In 1976, they put together a promotion tied to the Summer Olympics in Montreal.  Customers received scratch-off game pieces for events and, if the U.S. wins, you win."  If you had one in that event, you'd get a Big Mac for Gold, fries for Silver or Coke for Bronze.

The Happy Meal promotion began in 1979.

Wayne Huizenga-- Part 4: Bought the Blockbuster Chain and Grew It

He could have retired nicely, but that bored him.  With the money, he started buying dozens of small businesses like hotels and pest control companies.

In 1987, a business partner got him to check out Blockbuster, a small chain of video stores.  Video stores were usually small locally owned .mom and pop operations.  At the time, Huizenga didn't even own a VCR.  When he saw the Blockbuster stores it opened his mind to the idea.

The stores were clean and carried 10,000 titles, ten times more than most video stores at the time.  He loved the concept and thought it could become the McDonald's of video.  He and his two partners bought 43 % of the business for $19 million and he became chairman and president.

By 1991, the chain had grown to over 1,800 stores.

A Real Businessman.  --Cooter

McDonald's Kiwi Burger: With an Egg an a Beet

In the last post I mentioned McDonald's Kiwi Burger as being one of my favorite things I've ever eaten.  Sadly, the only place you can get it is in New Zealand and a bit too far to go for take out.  So, I am hoping that McDonald's has this on their limited-time foreign menu.

As I said, I go into American fast food places in other countries to see if they have stuff we don't have here.  My family was visiting Australia and New Zealand back in the the 2000s and I had one of these great sandwiches.

This was the first time I had ever had a fried egg on a burger (now several places in the U.S. have that including Steak 'N Shake).  Wikipedia describes a Kiwi Burger:  four ounce burger patty, griddle egg, beet, tomato, lettuce, cheese, onions, mustard on a toasted bun.  I kind of think I also might have had several thin slices of kiwifruit on my Kiwi Burger.

It was introduced in 1994 and withdrawn in 2004 and has since returned for limited times several times.

This could be my new McRib.

Well. I'm Sure Hoping They Have It Here Now.  --CootKiwi

McDonald's Bring Overseas Offerings to U.S.

I wrote about 21 items offered at McDonald's in other countries back in December 2013 and they sounded delicious.

Now, I see they are bringing some here to the U.S. for limited times so I will have to get over there and check it out.

Sure hope they have the Kiwi Burger from New Zealand.

When I have been overseas, I never have had a problem going to an American fast food place as they often have different menu offerings.  I'd never, however, order a quarter-pounder or Big Mac.

--CootMac

Two Famous McDonald's in Chicagoland About to Change

The famed Rock and Roll McDonad's in downtown Chicago, a must-see for visitors for many years is about to be a no more.  It will close December 30 and when it reopens, all that great old Rock and Roll stuff will be gone.  So, it you've always wanted to see it, there aren't many more days.

But, by far, this is the worst of the two we're about to lose.The replica of Ray Kroc's first franchise in Des Planes, Illinois, is under consideration by McDonald's for destruction.

This building opened in 1985 and is on the site of the original.  It was built to look just like it did when it opened.  Even the sigh out front is the same (with a burger costing 15 cents and "We have sold over 1 million")

Over the years, it has been plagued by flooding and the  corporation wants to tear it down and give the land to Des Plaines.

However, Volo Auto Museum may be getting involved and move it to their place.

I think that all big chains should make efforts t keep at least one of their stores looking as they originally did and even turn it into a museum.  The McDonald's Museum in Des Plaines really brought back early memories of mine.

Here's Hoping It Stays Where It Is.  --McCooter

Big Mac Creator Dies-- Part 2: Who Named It?

Mr. Delligatti had a franchise in Uniontown, near Pittsburgh, when he invented the Big Mac in 1967 after deciding his customers wanted a bigger sandwich than a regular hamburger.  Demand for it exploded and soon spread to all of his 47 McDonald's in Pennsylvania.  It was added to the chain's national menu in 1968.

When asked why he named it Big Mac, he would say that the Big Mc sounded too funny.

However, McDonald's awarded the naming honor to Esther Glickstein Rose.  The true origin of the name has often been argued.  Mr. Delligatti never received any payment or royalties for coming up with the Big Mac.

Two All-Beef.  --DaMack

Big Mac Creator Died in December: Michael "Jim" Delligatti-- Part 1

From the December 1, 2016, Northwest Herald (Illinois) "McDonald's Big Mac creator dies" by Joe Mandax, AP.

"You probably don't know his name, but you've almost certainly devoured his creation: two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun.

"Michael James "Jim" Delligatti, the McDonald's franchisee, who created the Big Mac nearly 50 years ago and saw it become perhaps the best-known fast-food sandwich in the world, died Monday (Nov. 28) at his home in Pittsburgh.  Delligatti, who his son said ate at least one 540-calorie Big Mac a week for decades, was 98."

Good Eating.  --CootMac

12 McDonald's Items That Failed Spectacularly-- Part 2 Arch Deluxe

7.  ARCH DELUXE--  1996.  Intended for the adult market.  A quarter-pounder with bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese, onions, ketchup and secret sauce.  Failed even with a $100 million marketing campaign.

8.  McHOTDOG--  Enough said.  Though at one time McDonald's in our area of northern Illinois had Johnsonville brats which were mighty good, even without sauerkraut.

9.  McDLT--  mid 1980s.  Separated lettuce and tomato from the burger, keeping veggies cool and the meat warm.  But the extra-double container wasn't environmentally-friendly.

10.  McLEAN DELUXE--  For the health conscious from 1991.  91% lean meat used.

11.  BIG 'N TASTY--  Another assault on Burger King's Whopper.  Like the McDLT and Big extra.  The meat was angus burger.

12.  SUPERSIZE--  1993.  the 2007 documentary "Supersize me" pretty well killed it off, but you can still go "Large."

I Liked a Lot of These, Though.  --Cooter

12 McDonald's Menu Items That Failed Spectacularly-- Part 1: McLobster

From  Business Insider, Yahoo! Finance.

1.  McLOBSTER--   Lobster in a hot dog bun for $5.95.  I once saw these offered while on a visit to maine, but didn't try it as I figured they would be offered back in Illinois.  They weren't.

2.  McGRATIN CROQUETTE--  Created for the Japanese market.

3.  HULA BURGER--  Meant for Catholics not eating meat on Fridays.  Chicken patty, pineapple slice topped with cheese.

4.  PIZZA and McPIZZA--  Late 1980s.  Made-to-order pizza, but customers not willing to wait.  The McPizza resembled hot pockets.

5.  McSPAGHETTI--  Still around in some foreign markets and has a bit of a cult following.

6.  McAFRIKA--  Beef, cheese, tomatoes and salad in a pita-like sandwich.

I Sure Would Have Liked to Try a McLobster.  --Cooter

2015 Anniversaries-- Part 2

50TH-- MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.'S FIRST MARCH AT SELMA, March 7:  It would take three attempts before the marchers finally made it from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, during a year full of Civil Rights milestones.  Retrospective coverage will also likely focus on the assassination of Malcolm X on February 21 in New York City.

50TH--  FILM PREMIER OF "THE SOUND OF MUSIC", March 2:  Julie Andrews as Maria was a revelation, Time wrote.  "Nearly all of the requirements for what moviemakers tout as wholesome family entertainment" were met.

75TH--    McDONALD'S OPENING, May 15:  Brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first restaurant to bear their name in San Bernardino, California.  Ray Kroc later took the franchise global; today, there are more than 35,000 locations worldwide.

150TH--  END OF THE CIVIL WAR, April 9th:  The sesquicentennial of the U.S.'s bloodiest conflict is about to draw to a close as the date arrives on which Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant.  And April 14th marks the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's assassination.

Remember Any of These?  --DaCoot

Burger Wars

From the Feb, 23, 2015, Time Magazine "Small Business Fast Food."

Chains and their Main Burgers.

WENDY'S--  Founded 1969 in Columbus, Ohio.  Signature Burger: Dave's Hot 'N Juicy 1/4-lb single.  fresh, never-frozen beef.

SMASHBURGER--  Founded 2007 in Denver.  Signature Burger: Classic Small Smash.  Burgers are packed loosley and then "smashed" on a grill.

McDONALD'S--  Founded 1948 in San Bernardino, Cal.  Signature Burger: Big Mac.  You know what it has.  Sing it.

SHAKE SHACK--  Founded 2004 in New York City.  Signature Burger: Single Shackburger.  Its mission-- "stand for something good."  63 stores today and opening 10 a year.

BURGER KING--  Founded 1954 in Miami.  Signature Burger: Whopper.  has changed hands several times before merging with Tim Horton's in 2014.  Tout their flame-grilled burgers.

FIVE GUYS--  Founded in 1986 in Arlington, Virginia.  Signature Burger: Little Cheeseburger.  More than 250,000 ways to top it  Each order of fries is heaped with lots of extras.

I've never had a Smashburger, Shake Shack or Five Guys.

Gettin' Migty Hongry!  --Cooter

A Day At Petersen Farm: Welcome to the 1950s-- Part 2

**1955:  Ray A. Kroc opens his first restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois.  That would be the first McDonald's as we know them today.
**  Gas Price was 21-23 cents a gallon
**  A 1957 Thunderbird cost $3,408
**  Play-Dog modeling compound came out

1951 grocery Store Prices:
**  10 lb. bag of potatoes--  33 cents
**  1 lb. strawberries--  44 cents, sliced and sugared
**  1 lb. Beef chuck roast--  69 cents
**  12 oz. peas--  19 cents

Wouldn't it be nice to have those prices today...and the money we have today.

--Cooter

Some More Chicago Innovations-- Part 9: McDonald's

Ray Kroc didn't invent fast food. He didn't even invent the McDonald's hamburger. He was a salesman of milk shake mixers who saw what the McDonald brothers were doing in California and saw the potential to make it work on a broader scale through rigorous consistency, marketing and franchising. The McDonald's story is almost as well known as the global brand. //// And, the first Ray Kroc McDonald's was in Des Plaines, Illinois, and a rebuilt store from that era is still at the site, but you have to buy your McDonald's across the street. //// --DaCoot

21 Great McDonald's Meals You Can't Get in the U.S.-- Part 5

17. McALOO TIKI-- India. Fried potato and pea patty in a bun.

18. SAMURAI BURGER-- Asian markets. Either chicken or beef patty coated in terriyahi sauce with mayonaise and lettuce. Popular sides are Seaweed shaker fries and Jasmine green tea

19. McSPICY PANEER--India. Fried curd cheese patty topped with tandoori sauce, red cabbage and lettuce served on a sesame roll.

20. GAZPACHO SOUP-- Spain. Classic summer soup served chilled with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, celery, lemon juice and hot sauce.

21. POUTINE-- Canada. (OK, I'll stop snickering now.) Drizzled gravy and cheese curds on french fries. Based on a traditional Canadian dish. (Sounds a bit like a Central Illinois Horseshoe sandwich.)

Not Your Same Old, Same Old McDonald's. --RoadDog

21 Great McDonald's Meals You Can't Get in the U.S.-- Oart 4

13. ROSTI BREKKI WRAP-- Australia and New Zealand. Bacon, fried egg, slice of cheese and potato rosti (similar to hash browns). Served on a flour tortilla with bbq sauce.

14. McLOBSTER-- Canada. 100% Atlantic lobster meat, diced celery, lettuce and a light salad dressing, served on a soft roll. (I had seen these in Maine once, but didn't buy one as I figured they muct have them back home in Illinois. Sadly, they didn't.)

15. BACON POTATO PIE-- Japan. Chunks of potato and bacon served in the same deep-fried shell as McDonald's apple pies.

16. KIWI BURGER-- New Zealand (of course). No kiwi fruit or meat, though. (I think the kiwi whatever it is, is protected.) A four ounce beef patty, griddle egg, beetroot, tomato, lettuce cheese, onion, mustard and keychup. (I had one of these in New Zealand and it was one of the best burgers I ever ate.)

I'd Sure Like to Have Me Another One of Those Kiwi Burgers, But Will Settle for a McRib. --Cooter

21 Great McDonald's Meals You Can't Get in the U.S.-- Part 3

Next time you're overseas, don't stay away from McDonald's figuring you can just eat their food at home. Foreign McDonald's feature an array of things you can't get here and a whole lot of the ones I'm writing about are definitely something I would try.

9. MATCHA McFLURRY-- Singapore and Japan. Green tea powder for a green color and topped with heaps of Oreo bits.

10.. SNACK AL PARMIGIANO-- Italy. Instead of a side of fries, it is an individually wrapped bar of Parmesan cheese.

11. CHEESE KATSU BURGER-- Japan. Melted cheese inside of fried pork cutlets with sliced cabbage and sweet and sour sauce served on a sesame seed bun.

12. BABUR AYAM McD-- Malaysia. Breakfast treat porridge, chicken strips, spring onions, sliced ginger, fried shallots and dice cjillies.

Making Me Hungry. --CootHun

21 Great McDonald's Meals You Can't Get in the U.S.-- Part 2

4. BACON ROLLS-- U.K.-- "Breakfast of Choice" for bacon-lovers. From British farms and served on a roll with ketchup or brown sauce.

5.  BLACK AND WHITE HAMBURGER COMBOS-- China. Black Burger roll topped with white sesame seeds with black pepper sauce and chopped onions. The white burger topped with black sesame seeds. Like McRibs, availability comes and goes.

6. TARO PIE-- Japan and Asia. Chunks of taro root covered in sweet purple sauce inside a flaky pie crust. Taro tastes like potatoes, only stronger.

MCARABIA-- In Arab countries and Pakistan. Two grilled chicken patties with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and garlic sauce inside a pita.

I'd Try Any of These. --Cooter

21 Great McDonald's Meals You Can't Get in the U.S.-- Part 1

From the Nov. 18, 2013, Yahoo! Finance "21 Awesome McDonald's Dishes You Can't Get in America" from Business Insider by Hayley Peterson.

When I travel overseas, I do go to McDonald's, but you'd never catch me ordering a Big Mac or Quarterpounder. I'm checking out other items they have. In Hawaii, you can get pineapple and Vegemite. In New Zealand, I had one of the best burgers ever, called a Kiwi Burger.

1. EBI BURGER-- Japan, Singapore and other Asian countries. A whole shrimp embedded in a crispy patty with lettuce and spicy sauce.

2. SHAKA SHAKA CHICKEN-- Singapore. deep-fried chicken patty served in a paper sleeve with packet of spice.

3.  CROCK BRIE-- Italy. Deep-fried triangles of oozing brie cheese.

The article has pictures of all these items.

More Good Stuff to Come. --Cooter

Doubling Down on the McDonald's Dollar Menu-- Part 3: Breakfast

And, how I love that Dollar Breakfast Menu which was added in 2010.  On vacation, that is often where I head for that morning meal, especially in Panama City Beach, Florida.  Pick up a newspaper, get my reading done, maybe catch up on the internet, drink some coffee have a Sausage McMuffin and back to the room.  Bring something back for Liz who is not a morning person. 

And I always like to listen to the old retired guys talking about all the things they talk about on their daily get-togethers.  If I'm sittin', I'm listenin'.

Now, we have a new McDonald's here in Spring Grove, so I will visit there at least once a week.

Dollar items:

Sausage Biscuit
Sausage McMuffin
Sausage Burrito
Hash Browns
Small Coffee (Some markets sell all sizes for a buck.  Otherwise, for us seniros it is a better deal to order a Senior Coffee.)

The Sausage McMuffin by far is my favorite.  They really hit the mark with that creation.

And, to me, a buck is still a lot of money, but that's most likely because I am old.

Getting More Bang for My Buck.  --Cooter

Doubling Down On the Dollar Menu-- Part 3: Breakfast

Then, there is that great Breakfast Dollar Menu.  I'm getting ready to brave the monsoon outside right now, and go over to our new McDonald's here in Spring Grove, Illinois, for some in a few minutes.  I am especially fond of that Sausage McMuffin.

The Breakfast Menu was added in 2010 and I've been eating them ever since.

Sausage Biscuit
Sausage McMuffin
Sausage Burrito
Hash Browns
Coffee (Small)  (Although some places sell all coffee for a buck.)

Maybe I'll get a coffee, but will be very careful not to spill it on my lap.

Make Mine a Large.  --Cooter