McDonalds Essay Example for Free

McDonalds Essay McDonalds is the world’s largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants. McDonalds and its franchises operated more than 33,000 McDonald’s restaurants in 118 countries and serve 64 million customers each day. The company also operates other restaurant brands, such as Piles Cafe. McDonalds is the largest food service company in the world. In 2010, the annual total revenues are 24,075 millions. It is also one of biggest employers in the United States, with over 1. 7 million workers (our company). Only fifteen to twenty per cent of the restaurants are actually company-owned. The rest are franchises, run by 2,659 independent owners who pay a fee of between $400,000 and $700,000 for a franchise. McDonalds licensing department handles the fee structure on a case by case basis, and there are a wide variety of license fees determined by property and equipment costs. A skilled franchisee can earn a sex-figure income from a single restaurant; most own two or more restaurants (report). The following part will focus on the international factors affect on the McDonald’s company. International factor is an external environment. It refers to the characteristics of the environment that are particular to cross-border operations which included economic cycles, competitive and entrepreneurial cultures (book). McDonald’s is a large international company. It’s restaurant distributed around the world. Thus, there are many factors that McDonald’s need to consider. Such as how to meet different countries’ customers’ need. Because of different country’s customers have different culture, habit and different taste of food. The other one is how to gain competitive advantage form local restaurant. There are many fast food service companies in the world for example Burger King and KFC, especially Burger King. Burger King is also a big international company with lots of stores around the world. It’s a great competitor for the McDonald’s (Product positioning). One thing that McDonald’s do to meet customers’ need and gain competitive advantage is customization. Even though McDonald’s is centred on a core formula for its restaurants and food products, it has to have some customization to meet different country’s customers’ need. For instance, alcohol is only available in McDonald’s restaurants in some countries but not in others. Basic on different country’s culture and eating habits, McDonald’s also developed different types of burger to serves different country’s customers. Such as The Teriyaki McBurger, a sausage patty on a bun with teriyaki sauce, sold in Japan (Global and transnational business: strategy and management. George Stonehouse, David Campbell). McDonald’s also uses high quality of food and service to catch customers and gain competitive advantage. As Jim Skinner, Vice Chairman and CEO of McDonald’s, said, â€Å"running better restaurants is McDonald’s number one priority. We will improve operation excellence around the world through new technology, better training, and service enhancements† (report). Training is an important tool for companies to achieve satisfaction and sustaining competitive advantage. Employee training at McDonalds is highly structured. New workers are first taken through the basic Crew Training System. Which is an on-the job- training and is largely vocational. After this process, workers will enter into a new training program, with the skills becoming more complex and generalized. The second level of training begins with a one-hour orientation on the company. Workers will watch a video and read step by step manuals at training room. The video and manuals included every detail of the operation such as how to make burgers, shake. Each restaurant has its own training room. Trainers use a series of checklists, Station Observation Checklist to evaluate new crew members’ performance. For a crew member, the training is over. But once a crew has been promoted to swing manager, he or she will continue to receive training which called management development program. It included teaching technical and functional management skill for employees at the swing manager level. There are four steps in this program. First one is Basic operations Course which covers fundamental restaurant openings. The next is Basic Management Curse which teaches leaderships, time planning, and crew recognition. Then is operations Course, students are trained on crew recruitment and retention, store leadership and decision-making. The last part in this process is Regional Equipment Course. Once employees finished this training and become assistant managed, he or she is eligible to get into Hamburger University, the company’s world wide training center for management personnel. About 2,500 managers and potential franchisees studied here. The course included enhancing communication, interpersonal and human relations skills. All McDonald’s managers are required to receive training from Hamburger University at least once every 5 years to enhance their skills. Training is seen as a core aspect in McDonald’s daily operations. Because of training is one of the important means to achieve standardization. By training employees, company can gain lots of advantages. It can increase company’s productivity, reduce staff turnover and improve service quality (). Each and every one of these customers deserved great services from the moment they approach the counter or drive-thru window until they leave the restaurants. We depend on the employees in the restaurant, whether employed by independent franchises or by McDonalds Corporation, to provide a fast friendly and courteous experience to all guests so they will visit us again and again. Thats why McDonalds Independent Franchisees and McDonalds Corporation look for individuals who like to have fun while delivering fast accurate and friendly service. If you are interested in becoming a part of a McDonalds Team, here are some of the duties that could be required of you: 1. On Time, Neat and Clean: Our crewmembers are expected to report work on time, neat and clean. 2. Wash Your Hands: the most important thing crewmembers so to help make sure our customers receive safe food is to wash their hands often.  3.  Skills and Training: Training will provide you with the skills you will need to perform your job. 4. Standards: Crewmembers follow standard operational procedures so customers always receive exceptional quality service. 5. Teamwork: Our crewmembers rely on teamwork and high energy to get the job done. 6. Clean Spotless Tidy sparking. Our customers expect every McDonalds will be clean. 7. Welcomed Guest: Our crewmembers make each customer feel like a welcomed guest. 8. Service: We depend on our crewmembers to deliver fast, accurate and friendly service with a smile.