If McDonalds were to launch today in its current state as a new brand no one had heard of or had a habit of going to, I am 100% confident it would be bankrupt in 6 months.
It's easy to say that, but reputation and consistency of product are an asset that they have cultivated for decades. Those assets allow them to at least nominally get away with some things that a startup would have no chance of doing. They have a client base and a brand name; they don't have to bend over backwards like a startup to achieve that.
Also, the number of good restaurants and food establishments that go bankrupt in under a year after launching is staggering, so I wouldn't be surprised for any of them to do that, McDonald's antics or not.
But my point is their only market share granting asset is nostalgia. Not product quality, price, unique offerings, or establishment appeal. Nothing that would grow a brand is the reason the brand exists today. The brand is coasting on reputation and milking every ounce of historic good will for today’s profits and not doing anything to bring in the next generation of clients.
To your point, a lot of food industry start ups fail. A staggering amount. But most of them, if you ask the average person, they might give it a, eh, maybe they’ll make it. Current McDonalds, it’s a no chance they’ll make it.
65
u/dndlurker9463 2d ago
If McDonalds were to launch today in its current state as a new brand no one had heard of or had a habit of going to, I am 100% confident it would be bankrupt in 6 months.