McDonald’s Current Market Strategies

Categories: Mcdonald'S

McDonald’s stands as the world’s largest hamburger chain with over 30,000 stores in 120 countries. Yet as strong as it stands in the hamburger industry, it is still vulnerable to price competition and the current federal unemployment rate. In order to try to overcome a low profit margin, McDonald’s is presently pursuing new strategies to help increase its market share in other industries. The primary objectives being targeted includes, growth in sales, increase in profitability and market share. Current Strategies Being Pursued

According to CEO, Jim Skinner, McDonald’s “Plan to Win” strategy includes, “Giving our customers a unique balance of food and beverage choices is driving performance in every area of the world.

" Skinner also stated, "We're offering new menu items and classic favorites, including premium and value selections, all for our customers to enjoy in our convenient, contemporary restaurants. We intend to continue our momentum by further enhancing the McDonald's experience and giving customers even more reasons to visit" (McDonald' Corp, 2010).

Get quality help now
Marrie pro writer
Marrie pro writer
checked Verified writer

Proficient in: Mcdonald'S

star star star star 5 (204)

“ She followed all my directions. It was really easy to contact her and respond very fast as well. ”

avatar avatar avatar
+84 relevant experts are online
Hire writer

They are executing product development strategies by expanding the famous Dollar Menu. Due to constant price competition McDonald’s is trying to increase sales by attracting more customers into their stores by promoting products in the economical Dollar Menu. After evaluating McDonald’s current strategies, one of the leading strategies McDonald’s is trying to achieve is market penetration by focusing efforts on increasing their presence in the coffee industry. Due to recent closures of Starbuck stores and the current high unemployment level, fewer consumers are able to pay a high price for a cup of coffee.

Get to Know The Price Estimate For Your Paper
Topic
Number of pages
Email Invalid email

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

"You must agree to out terms of services and privacy policy"
Write my paper

You won’t be charged yet!

This has given McDonald’s an opportunity to enter the coffee industry, and positioning themselves as the low price option by offering free McCafè mochas every Monday from 7 am to 7 pm to every customer. In addition, by offering an assortment of lower priced coffee drinks McDonald’s is beginning to attract new customers.

According to Michael Bauer from SFGate, “about 48% of Starbucks customers visit McDonald's at least once a week.” In response to a decline in demand for Starbucks products, they lowered their prices, yet McDonald’s coffee drinks remain 25%-40% cheaper. Coupled with low prices, increasing marketing efforts within the coffee industry has allowed McDonald’s market share to increase by 5.4%.

The use of franchising has always been a central strategy to McDonald’s ability for rapid expansion. McDonald’s involvement in forward integration through the use of proceeds from the sale of company owned stores helping finance franchisees and buy back company stock, while paying higher dividends and creating other investments for benefit shareholders (David, 2011, 2009, 2007) clearly implies McDonald’s intention to focus on franchising and not company owned stores. Through strategies such as “Plan to Win”, McDonald’s has established themselves as a very effective franchise option. Due to the majority of their stores being franchised, McDonald’s Corporation can continue to rely on constant production from franchisees. Conclusion

As previously discussed, the strategies McDonald’s is currently pursuing include, but not limited to, market penetration, forward integration, and product development. Each of these strategies are cruicial to McDonald’s success. "McDonald's customer focus, menu innovation and the ongoing modernization of our restaurants continue to drive our business momentum," said Chief Executive Officer Jim Skinner. “However, there are additional strategies McDonald’s will consider pursuing to ensure economical market advantage and customer satisfaction .

References

Baertlin L., Wohl, J. McDonald’s October same-store sales up, U.S. slips. (2009, November 09). Reuters. Retrieved November 8, 2010 from http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5A822F20091109

David, F. R. (2011). Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education.

McDonald’s Corp. (2010, September 09). Clear Station. Retrieved November 8, 2010, from
http://clearstation.etrade.com/cgibin/bbs?post_id=9490105&Refer=http://clearstation.etrade.com/doc/newcoming.html

McDonald’s Corp. (2010, October 10). Clear Station. Retrieved November 8, 2010, from http://clearstation.etrade.com/cgi-bin/bbs?post_id=9530212&Refer=http://clearstation.etrade.com/doc/newcoming.html

Shepherd, L. Starbucks’ rivals brew up a coffee war. (2007, March 26). MSN Money. Retrieved November 8, 2010 from http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/DunkinAndMcDonaldsTakeOnStarbucks.aspx

Updated: Jul 06, 2022
Cite this page

McDonald’s Current Market Strategies. (2016, May 06). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/mcdonalds-current-market-strategies-essay

McDonald’s Current Market Strategies essay
Live chat  with support 24/7

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

get help with your assignment