Operations Management 11th Edition

Case No. 2
Do You Want Pickled Beets with That?
William J. Stevenson
John Kelly
Since the first McDonalds opened in the United States in 1955, the fast food
restaurant has spread around the world.
The company now has locations in 121 countries. In fact, of the 30,000 McDonalds
restaurants scattered around the globe, there are more in foreign countries (17,000)
than in the good old United States (13,000).
The food you can order at many of these Mickey Ds is different from what youll find
at the one down the street. Heres a sample of some of the treats that await you
should you pull up to the drive through window in some faraway places:
India: McAloo Tikki Burger. A totally vegetarian sandwich with regular bun, a
crispy, breaded spicy potato and vegetable patty, eggless tomato mayonnaise, two
slices of tomatoes and shredded onion.
France: Croque McDo. Cheese and ham between two thin pieces of toasted bread.
Italy: McPink. Two pork patties with a slice of yellow cheese.
New Zealand: Kiwi Burger. A hamburger with a fried egg and a slice of pickled
beet.
Turkey: Kofte Burger. A spicy meat patty inside a flavored bun, enriched with a
special yogurt mix and spiced tomato sauce.
Philippines: McSpaghetti. Pasta in a red sauce with frankfurter bits.
South Korea: Bulgogi Burger. Pork patty on a bun with lettuce and spicy garlic
bulgogi sauce.
China: Hong Dou Pie. A dessert pie filled with red bean paste.
Argentina: McNifica. Hamburger sandwich with cheese, tomato, onion and lettuce.
Egypt: McFalafel. Fried patties of ground beans flavored with spices.
Israel: Seven of the 80 or so McDonalds are kosher, meaning they follow strict
Jewish dietary rules so there are no cheeseburgers, milkshakes or sundaes.
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Operations Management 11th Edition

Case No. 2
United Kingdom: Mega Button Blast. Vanilla ice cream that you eat after breaking
through a Cadbury chocolate lid.
Greece: Greek Mac. Pita bread sandwich with two beef patties and some yogurt
sauce.
Japan: Teriyaki Burger. Chicken cutlet patty marinated in teriyaki sauce, with sweet
mayonnaise and sliced lettuce on a sesame bun.
Germany: Gemuse Mac. A veggie burger with lettuce, tomatoes and special
wurzcreme sauce.
Questions
1. What effects do cultural differences have on the design of fast food offerings in
this reading? 2. What functions in the organization are impacted by the differences
in product offerings among different countries?

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