Want a salad with that Big Mac?

1.  McDonald's to offer salad, fruit as side. http://www.elpasotimes.com/latestnews/ci_24184084/mcdonalds-offer-salad-fruit-side

2. Category of Problem: Health & Food Industry

3. Level of Problem: National

4: Article Concerns: McDonald's reconstructing menu and marketing tactics; healthier options.

5. Importance/Affect on Individuals/Families: McDonald's will be providing healthier options to fries (salads and fruit) with all value meals. They are providing healthier alternatives due to the shift of customers more considered with their health and wanting healthy food still at a fast food level.

6. Personal View: McDonald's will always be McDonald's despite its efforts to provide healthier alternatives. If I am desperate enough for fast food or need to satisfy a craving, the fact that they will swap out fries for a salad does sound a bit appealing. I think it is great on McDonald's part to really listen and understand what customers are wanting now. Nowadays more people are all about health and working out. This could definitely be a reason why McDonald's has seen a decrease in sales this past month for the first time in 12 years. More and more people are staying away from fast food joints or when on the go and desperate for something quick to eat, want healthier options. I believe it will be a great success for McDonald's in the U.S. especially since this is already ruled out in France. I agree with what was said about McDonald's creating a "halo-effect" with these new changes. these new changes don't make the food any healthier, just more appealing for the health conscientious person. Children are big consumers of McDonald's and i believe it is important that children are not being deceived with advertisements. It's great that McDonald's will be taking steps to improve and change their marketing strategies for children. The fact that they will be promoting milk, juice, and water on the advertisements targeted at kids is definitely another great start. Because McDonald's is such a successful and known company and has a great influence in the food industry, taking these healthy measures can really influence other fast food chains to do the same as well as change how people in America eat food.