June 27, 2024 • 9 mins
McDonald's Fights Inflation with Five Dollar Meal Deal Frenzy!
Free Fries Friday: McDonald's Unleashes Year-Long French Fry Feast!
California McDonald's Franchisee Forced to Close Doors Amid Economic Whirlwind!
McShaker Madness: Canada's Crazy Fry Flavors Leave U.S. Customers Green with Envy!
Former McDonald's Chef Spills Secrets: How to Hack Your Bagel Breakfast Sandwich!
White Castle Crowns Itself "Night Castle" in Late-Night Fast Food Takeover!
Hooters Shutters Locations as Casual Dining Chains Face Industry Armageddon!
Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!
Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!
We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.com
Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and sign up for our newsletter here.
Free Fries Friday: McDonald's Unleashes Year-Long French Fry Feast!
California McDonald's Franchisee Forced to Close Doors Amid Economic Whirlwind!
McShaker Madness: Canada's Crazy Fry Flavors Leave U.S. Customers Green with Envy!
Former McDonald's Chef Spills Secrets: How to Hack Your Bagel Breakfast Sandwich!
White Castle Crowns Itself "Night Castle" in Late-Night Fast Food Takeover!
Hooters Shutters Locations as Casual Dining Chains Face Industry Armageddon!
Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!
Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!
We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.com
Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and sign up for our newsletter here.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
This episode, along with hundreds ofothers from Klaroga Shark Media, is available
without commercials. Just look for thebanner on your Apple podcast app to subscribe
and try it free for a month. Caalaroga Shark Media. Welcome back to
(00:22):
the Weekly Mac, your ultimate sourcefor the juiciest fast food news. I'm
your host, Mac Davies, andWe've got a jam packed show for you
today, filled with exciting updates fromyour favorite fast food chains. In a
move to combat rising inflation, McDonald'shas introduced a limited time five dollars meal
deal. Joe Erlinger, president ofMcDonald's USA, said in a release,
(00:43):
we heard our fans loud and clear. They're looking for even more great value
from us, and this summer,that's exactly what they'll get. The five
dollars meal deal includes a choice ofa McChicken or mcdouble, four piece chicken,
nuggets, small fries, and asmall drink. It is expected to
be available nationwide for about a month. In addition, franchisees across the US
(01:04):
are offering their own specials, suchas buy one, get one for one
dollar breakfast sandwiches or mix and matchdeals. Customers should check with their local
McDonald's to find out about any specificpromotions. Erlinger emphasized the importance of staying
focused on value, saying it's clearthat we, together with our franchisees,
must remain laser focused on value andaffordability. The company also addressed recent criticism
(01:30):
regarding price increases, with Erlinger statingthat reports suggesting the average Bigmac price had
doubled since twenty nineteen were false.McDonald's clarified that the average US Big Mac
cost four dollars and thirty nine centsin twenty nineteen and now costs five dollars
and twenty nine cents, representing atwenty point five percent increase. Erlinger acknowledged
(01:52):
the frustration felt by him and manyfranchisees over a viral post last summer about
an eighteen dollars Big Mac meal inConnecticut, calling it an exception. He
noted that franchisees who own and operateninety five percent of US McDonald's locations set
their own pricing but work hard tominimize the impact of price increases. As
(02:13):
part of their efforts to provide value, McDonald's is offering free fries Friday through
the end of the year, appusers who place orders and spend at least
one dollar on Fridays will be eligiblefor a free medium order of fries,
which typically costs three dollars in twentynine cents. Additionally, on Saturday,
July thirteenth, in celebration of NationalFrench Friday, McDonald's is offering free fries
(02:36):
of any size through the app,with no minimum order required. In other
news, after facing a business whirlwindfor over two months, Scott Rodrick,
a California McDonald's franchisee, has permanentlyclosed one of his locations at Stonestown Galleria,
just southwest of San Francisco. Ina typed note posted on the restaurant's
door, Roderick wrote, it hasbeen a pleasure for my entire team and
(03:00):
I to serve the Nineteenth Avenue andIngleside neighborhoods for more than thirty years.
All of our valued team members havebeen offered opportunities to continue working with my
restaurant company at other nearby McDonald's.Roderick described the decision as gut wrenching for
his family and stated the economic headwindsare not just impacting fast food franchisees large
(03:23):
and small. Most restaurateurs are facingunprecedented challenges fine dining, casual dining,
independent or a brand franchisee like me. This critical California sector is struggling.
Recent data from plaster dot ai revealedthat most quick service chains in California have
raised menu prices by mid single tomid teen percentages due to a new law,
(03:45):
and these price hikes are negatively impactingbusiness. The analysis also showed a
significant drop in restaurant foot traffic followingthe wage hike. Meanwhile, McDonald's Canada
has introduced mcshaker French fries, whichcome with creative seasoning packets leave American customers
envious. The limited time flavors aimto bring an international experience to customers with
(04:06):
Turo and Masala seasonings introduced last month, followed by Ramen and Satsuki on June
eighteenth. To enjoy the flavored fries, customers simply add the seasoning packet to
their french frybag, shake it upand indulge. Canada is also offering unique
menu items not currently available in theUnited States, such as the cookie dough
(04:26):
mcflurry and the Strawberry Cheesecake Mcflurry.While American customers remain hopeful. McDonald's has
not indicated any plans to expand theseproducts to the US market in the near
future. In other McDonald's news,former corporate chef Mike Harach shared a hack
on TikTok to improve the chain's iconicbagel breakfast sandwich. Haraz suggested that customers
(04:48):
ask for the pre frozen folded eggto be replaced with the scrambled eggs from
the big breakfast meal. He describedthe folded egg as hot garbage and the
worst egg that McDonald's has in therestaurant all the egg options you could have.
In contrast, the scrambled eggs,while still a liquid egg product,
are cooked and held in the restaurantand are more flavorful and more tender.
(05:11):
Haraz claimed that substituting the scrambled eggsonto the bagel sandwich makes the meal far
superior more in a moment. Movingon to White Castle, the fast food
chain is renewing its efforts to strengthenits night Castle brand as the premier destination
(05:34):
for late night food and fun.A recent online survey found that eighty three
percent of adult respondents in the UScrave fast food after late night activities.
In a separate survey of Whitecastle's loyalcustomers known as cravers, eighty percent said
that white Castle is the best fastfood brand for making late night memories and
is worth going the extra mile tosatisfy their late night cravings. White Castle
(05:59):
is investing in its Nightcastle brand bykeeping restaurants open later. The chain has
also increased hiring to accommodate the extendedhours. Additionally, White Castle is offering
more deals and specials valid during eveningand early morning hours to encourage late night
visits. For example, members ofthe Craver Nation loyalty program can get a
six piece chicken rings for just twodollars between nine pm and three am.
(06:21):
For Cravers who prefer to end theirnight at home, White Castle's in app
delivery option provides the convenience of havingtheir favorite menu items delivered to their door
at the same low pricing available attheir local Castle, plus a flat four
dollars and ninety nine cent delivery fee. White Castle Sliders are also available in
the freezer aisles of retail and grocerystores across the US, offering an easy
(06:46):
and delicious at home option for latenight cravings. Whitecastle will continue promoting itself
as Nightcastle in marketing initiatives involving latenight offers and activations. The company offers
Nightcastle merchandise at its House of Craveonline store, and is preparing for a
partnership later this summer to help promotea major movie release using Nightcastle as a
(07:06):
tie in. A significant and growingpercentage of Whitecastle's restaurants sales and delivery orders
occur between seven pm and three am, and the company hopes that a renewed
emphasis on its late night business willfurther boost these numbers. Jamie Richardson,
vice president at Whitecastle, stated,our nighttime sales are strong, which confirms
(07:28):
our customer's crave Whitecastle at all times, but especially at night. We're making
investments to ensure we can meet thedemand of our nocturnal cravers, giving them
the high quality, tasty and affordablefood they want and deserve, even late
at night and into the wee hoursof the morning. Finally, Hooters announced
Monday that it is closing a selectnumber of underperforming restaurants, joining other casual
(07:50):
dining chains facing industry challenges. Thecompany stated that it was under pressure from
current market conditions, but emphasized thatnew restaurants continue to open both domestically and
internationally. Hooters did not disclose theexact number of locations affected, but assured
that the brand of forty one yearsremains highly resilient and relevant. The closings
(08:13):
come amid mixed trends in the USrestaurant industry. Complaints about higher costs at
fast food chains have impacted the fortunesof major players like McDonald's and Restaurant Brands
International, the parent company of BurgerKing and Popeyes. However, the CEO
of Darden Restaurants, which owns OliveGarden, recently noted that some fast food
diners appear to be switching to casualdining as a result of these price increases.
(08:39):
Happy Travels and Happy Eating. TheWeekly Mac is a Calarogu Shark Media
Production Executive producers Mark Francis and JohnMcDermott. Portions of this podcast may have
been created with the assistance of AI
This episode, along with hundreds ofothers from Klaroga Shark Media, is available
without commercials. Just look for thebanner on your Apple podcast app to subscribe
and try it free for a month. Caalaroga Shark Media. Welcome back to
(00:22):
the Weekly Mac, your ultimate sourcefor the juiciest fast food news. I'm
your host, Mac Davies, andWe've got a jam packed show for you
today, filled with exciting updates fromyour favorite fast food chains. In a
move to combat rising inflation, McDonald'shas introduced a limited time five dollars meal
deal. Joe Erlinger, president ofMcDonald's USA, said in a release,
(00:43):
we heard our fans loud and clear. They're looking for even more great value
from us, and this summer,that's exactly what they'll get. The five
dollars meal deal includes a choice ofa McChicken or mcdouble, four piece chicken,
nuggets, small fries, and asmall drink. It is expected to
be available nationwide for about a month. In addition, franchisees across the US
(01:04):
are offering their own specials, suchas buy one, get one for one
dollar breakfast sandwiches or mix and matchdeals. Customers should check with their local
McDonald's to find out about any specificpromotions. Erlinger emphasized the importance of staying
focused on value, saying it's clearthat we, together with our franchisees,
must remain laser focused on value andaffordability. The company also addressed recent criticism
(01:30):
regarding price increases, with Erlinger statingthat reports suggesting the average Bigmac price had
doubled since twenty nineteen were false.McDonald's clarified that the average US Big Mac
cost four dollars and thirty nine centsin twenty nineteen and now costs five dollars
and twenty nine cents, representing atwenty point five percent increase. Erlinger acknowledged
(01:52):
the frustration felt by him and manyfranchisees over a viral post last summer about
an eighteen dollars Big Mac meal inConnecticut, calling it an exception. He
noted that franchisees who own and operateninety five percent of US McDonald's locations set
their own pricing but work hard tominimize the impact of price increases. As
(02:13):
part of their efforts to provide value, McDonald's is offering free fries Friday through
the end of the year, appusers who place orders and spend at least
one dollar on Fridays will be eligiblefor a free medium order of fries,
which typically costs three dollars in twentynine cents. Additionally, on Saturday,
July thirteenth, in celebration of NationalFrench Friday, McDonald's is offering free fries
(02:36):
of any size through the app,with no minimum order required. In other
news, after facing a business whirlwindfor over two months, Scott Rodrick,
a California McDonald's franchisee, has permanentlyclosed one of his locations at Stonestown Galleria,
just southwest of San Francisco. Ina typed note posted on the restaurant's
door, Roderick wrote, it hasbeen a pleasure for my entire team and
(03:00):
I to serve the Nineteenth Avenue andIngleside neighborhoods for more than thirty years.
All of our valued team members havebeen offered opportunities to continue working with my
restaurant company at other nearby McDonald's.Roderick described the decision as gut wrenching for
his family and stated the economic headwindsare not just impacting fast food franchisees large
(03:23):
and small. Most restaurateurs are facingunprecedented challenges fine dining, casual dining,
independent or a brand franchisee like me. This critical California sector is struggling.
Recent data from plaster dot ai revealedthat most quick service chains in California have
raised menu prices by mid single tomid teen percentages due to a new law,
(03:45):
and these price hikes are negatively impactingbusiness. The analysis also showed a
significant drop in restaurant foot traffic followingthe wage hike. Meanwhile, McDonald's Canada
has introduced mcshaker French fries, whichcome with creative seasoning packets leave American customers
envious. The limited time flavors aimto bring an international experience to customers with
(04:06):
Turo and Masala seasonings introduced last month, followed by Ramen and Satsuki on June
eighteenth. To enjoy the flavored fries, customers simply add the seasoning packet to
their french frybag, shake it upand indulge. Canada is also offering unique
menu items not currently available in theUnited States, such as the cookie dough
(04:26):
mcflurry and the Strawberry Cheesecake Mcflurry.While American customers remain hopeful. McDonald's has
not indicated any plans to expand theseproducts to the US market in the near
future. In other McDonald's news,former corporate chef Mike Harach shared a hack
on TikTok to improve the chain's iconicbagel breakfast sandwich. Haraz suggested that customers
(04:48):
ask for the pre frozen folded eggto be replaced with the scrambled eggs from
the big breakfast meal. He describedthe folded egg as hot garbage and the
worst egg that McDonald's has in therestaurant all the egg options you could have.
In contrast, the scrambled eggs,while still a liquid egg product,
are cooked and held in the restaurantand are more flavorful and more tender.
(05:11):
Haraz claimed that substituting the scrambled eggsonto the bagel sandwich makes the meal far
superior more in a moment. Movingon to White Castle, the fast food
chain is renewing its efforts to strengthenits night Castle brand as the premier destination
(05:34):
for late night food and fun.A recent online survey found that eighty three
percent of adult respondents in the UScrave fast food after late night activities.
In a separate survey of Whitecastle's loyalcustomers known as cravers, eighty percent said
that white Castle is the best fastfood brand for making late night memories and
is worth going the extra mile tosatisfy their late night cravings. White Castle
(05:59):
is investing in its Nightcastle brand bykeeping restaurants open later. The chain has
also increased hiring to accommodate the extendedhours. Additionally, White Castle is offering
more deals and specials valid during eveningand early morning hours to encourage late night
visits. For example, members ofthe Craver Nation loyalty program can get a
six piece chicken rings for just twodollars between nine pm and three am.
(06:21):
For Cravers who prefer to end theirnight at home, White Castle's in app
delivery option provides the convenience of havingtheir favorite menu items delivered to their door
at the same low pricing available attheir local Castle, plus a flat four
dollars and ninety nine cent delivery fee. White Castle Sliders are also available in
the freezer aisles of retail and grocerystores across the US, offering an easy
(06:46):
and delicious at home option for latenight cravings. Whitecastle will continue promoting itself
as Nightcastle in marketing initiatives involving latenight offers and activations. The company offers
Nightcastle merchandise at its House of Craveonline store, and is preparing for a
partnership later this summer to help promotea major movie release using Nightcastle as a
(07:06):
tie in. A significant and growingpercentage of Whitecastle's restaurants sales and delivery orders
occur between seven pm and three am, and the company hopes that a renewed
emphasis on its late night business willfurther boost these numbers. Jamie Richardson,
vice president at Whitecastle, stated,our nighttime sales are strong, which confirms
(07:28):
our customer's crave Whitecastle at all times, but especially at night. We're making
investments to ensure we can meet thedemand of our nocturnal cravers, giving them
the high quality, tasty and affordablefood they want and deserve, even late
at night and into the wee hoursof the morning. Finally, Hooters announced
Monday that it is closing a selectnumber of underperforming restaurants, joining other casual
(07:50):
dining chains facing industry challenges. Thecompany stated that it was under pressure from
current market conditions, but emphasized thatnew restaurants continue to open both domestically and
internationally. Hooters did not disclose theexact number of locations affected, but assured
that the brand of forty one yearsremains highly resilient and relevant. The closings
(08:13):
come amid mixed trends in the USrestaurant industry. Complaints about higher costs at
fast food chains have impacted the fortunesof major players like McDonald's and Restaurant Brands
International, the parent company of BurgerKing and Popeyes. However, the CEO
of Darden Restaurants, which owns OliveGarden, recently noted that some fast food
diners appear to be switching to casualdining as a result of these price increases.
(08:39):
Happy Travels and Happy Eating. TheWeekly Mac is a Calarogu Shark Media
Production Executive producers Mark Francis and JohnMcDermott. Portions of this podcast may have
been created with the assistance of AI
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.