Burger King Offer Every Fast Food Franchisee in Japan ¥40M to Jump Ship

Burger King are aggressively expanding in Japan, having quadrupled their footprint from 77 locations in 2019 to 352 currently, with a target of 600 by 2028. 

These ambitions caught the attention of Goldman Sachs, who purchased the Japanese chain for 78.5 billion yen, and provided them with even more financial backing to grow rapidly. 

Burger King are certainly holding up their end of the deal by launching quite possibly the most aggressive expansion campaign not only in Japan, but anywhere. They have publicly announced that they will offer up to 40 million yen cash to any franchise owner of a rival chain, such as McDonald’s or Mos Burger, that has been in business for at least three years and is willing to convert their restaurants to Burger Kings. 

In addition, Burger King will cover half of the initial investment to make the switch and say that their average location pulls in about 17 million yen a month. This makes a very clear statement to franchise owners that if their income is south of that, then it’s probably time for a change. The change can take place anytime before December 2028, giving franchisees a little wiggle room to get out of their current contract without having to pay a penalty fee. 

If Burger King get a good response, this could be a key step in their projected growth since poaching other restaurants significantly cuts down on construction time, and every restaurant converted amounts to one less competitor out there. 

Of course, this kind of tactic in general is not unheard of, but doing it on such a large and open scale is rare to say the least. And I'm 100-percent sure no one has ever made a commercial with a jingle about it in the history of the fast food industry.

If this campaign is successful, Burger King stand to win big, but that is a considerable-sized “if” in Japan. Even in the US, these kinds of conversion deals are usually done behind the scenes, possibly through direct connections made at industry conventions rather than flashy campaigns on social media. It’s probably fair to assume Japan is even more conservative about these matters, if the various corporate apologies for 10-yen price increases or being 20 seconds early are anything to go by. 

You might be thinking franchisees are getting all the sweet deals from Burger King, but there are also chances for everyday folks like you and me to cash in as well. They're offering periodic location scouting campaigns where anyone can submit places they think would work well as a Burger King. Any suggestion that results in Burger King leasing a property will win 300,000 yen cash, and just making a suggestion will earn you a coupon for a discount on a Whopper. 

▼ They have a commercial for this too, but no jingle:

This campaign is currently not going on, but they do seem to bring it back every few months, so now would be a good time to start scouting your neighborhood to see where a Burger King might look nice. 

Meanwhile, if you’re a restaurant franchisee, you’ll have until September 30 to apply.

Raya Vibes Are Here!

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri! 

Raya vibes are here! Wishing a joyful celebration to those celebrating and rapturous happiness to all!

This year, I picked Mekdi's Hari Raya reel titled "Pulang":

[If you're wondering what I mean, it's my own small way of celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri on my lonesome. 😊].

I came across this news report from The Star on March 19.  

A woman on an evening walk in Macau, China appeared to have suffered from small 't' trauma and was briefly hospitalised after a humanoid robot startled her, police told AFP on Wednesday. 

Police said they had received a call for assistance for the woman, who “was startled when she suddenly noticed a robot behind her while using her mobile phone”. 

Video widely shared online showed a woman angrily confronting a robot as it waved its metallic arms at her, while a crowd of curious onlookers gathered around. 

“With so many other things to do, why bother me? Are you crazy?“ the woman yelled at the unperturbed bot in Cantonese, as she gestured agitatedly towards it. 

The woman wasn't harmed in any way; there had been no physical contact with the robot, but she required hospital treatment, police said in a statement.

“She has since been discharged and has not pressed charges regarding the incident”, which took place earlier in March, the statement said. 

Social media videos showed officers leading the robot away, though police made a point to stress they “did not seize” the bot.

The robot was operated by a Macanese man in his 50s, who said he was conducting a test and intended to use it for promoting his business.

😆😆😆

Give McDonald's Fish-O-Filet An Upgrade

I'm hooked on McDonald's Filet-O-Fish sandwich! 

And I came across this suggestion that gives this favorite McDonald's menu item a conspicuous upgrade. 

Looking to double or triple the fish on your Filet-O-Fish? Add extra filets. Duh!

Want a British pub-style fish sandwich? Layer french fries in between the buns. 

Want to make it even more special? Pile on crispy strips of bacon, accompanied by lettuce and tomato. This offers a smoky, crunchy, and fresh element that mimics a high-end diner sandwich.

And while you're at it, you can load an extra slice of cheese, smother extra tartar sauce, or substitute tartar sauce for Big Mac sauce to increase richness and umami.

If I'm to combine everything, I bet you it'll be the ultimate comfort food! 🤪🫢🤗

Goodness, I'm feeling hungry now! 😋😋😋

Note: Since the Filet-O-Fish was created for the meatless Fridays of Lent – refer my post yesterday – it's important to note that this customization is not Lent-friendly. 

The 2025/26 Scottish Premiership title race has thrown up more twists and turns than any of its previous instalments. 

Champions Celtic, who have won 13 of the last 14 titles at a canter, have been chasing underdogs Hearts for the majority of the season. A resurgent Rangers, who sacked their head coach, sporting director and chief executive after their worst-ever start to a league campaign, joined the race in the winter. Now, a fourth force could be emerging, as dark horses Motherwell close in on the top three. 

When we examine the table rankings, Hearts sit at the top with 60 points from 28 games, with Rangers coming in second (56 points); Celtic are two points behind their Old Firm rivals in third, while Motherwell are four points further back but the last two have a game in hand. 

For sure, all four managers (featured below) are looking to make history – none of whom were in the post this time last year. 

To be honest, methinks, all four clubs have a more than decent chance of being crowned champions of Scotland.

But my money is on either of the Old Firm to deliver. It has to be noted that Hearts haven't won the league for 66 years. Motherwell's sole top-flight title was in 1932. And nobody outside Glasgow has won it for 41 years.

McDonald's Filet-O-Fish Sandwich: Origin

On February 16, I had blogged about the McDonald's Filet-O-Fish sandwich. Admittedly, it is a personal favorite.

Moreover, this item has become a popular menu item among those looking for a relatively healthy, low-calorie, or high-protein McDonald's menu item. 

It's also a best-seller during Lent, when the fast food behemoth sells approximately 75 million sandwiches in one 40-day period. 

In fact, this religious observation is one of the primary reasons the sandwich was first added to the menu by Lou Groen, the US owner of a franchise in Cincinnati, Ohio, in a neighborhood with a large Catholic population. After noticing how sales decreased during Lent and seeing how other local joints succeeded with fish sandwiches, Groen developed his own version of a fast food fish sandwich, creating a "special batter" for the fish filet. 

His version used a variety of fish that was tender yet somewhat pricey for the time: halibut. 

"I wanted halibut originally", Groen told USA Today. "I was paying $2 a pound for halibut. That sandwich cost me 30 cents apiece to make". 

However, McDonald's wanted to sell the menu item for only 25 cents. 

In the end, Groen was obliged to replace his choice of halibut (Family: Pleuronectidae; genus: Hippoglossus) with Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). 

Nowadays, McDonald's uses Alaskan pollock (Family: Gadidae; genus: Gadus), a species of cod, in their Filet-O-Fish sandwiches. 

I'm not complaining because they're not using Dory fish! I generally avoid this type of fish because it has a reputation for being a product of, or synonymous with, industrial aquaculture. The farming practices have been criticized for poor, overcrowded, and unhygienic conditions.

2026: Year of the Horse

Happy Chinese New Year! 新年快乐 Xīnnián kuàilè! 

Grab your saddle and put on your riding boots – it’s time to stampede into the Year of the Horse. 

I've read that we can expect 2026 to be a good year.

And today, which is CNY's Eve, I had McDonald's Double Filet-O-Fish, the classic fast-food sandwich featuring two crispy, Alaskan Pollock fish patties, a slice of American cheese, and tartar sauce served on a fluffy bun. And of course, being a Malaysian, smearing generous dollops of chili sauce onto it. 

(To top it, I enjoyed a free fish prosperity burger on Mekdi).

I selected the fish sandwich because in Chinese New Year, fish symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and a surplus of wealth for the coming year. Due to the homophonic nature of the Chinese language, the word for fish, yu (鱼), sounds the same as the word for surplus or abundance (yu, 余), hence, my choice! 😁😁😁

I sense 2026 is gonna be exciting because it is a fire horse year! In Chinese culture, horses were considered critical for winning battles, giving rise to the saying “mǎ dào chéng gōng” – ”upon the arrival of a horse, the success is secured”. Therefore, the Year of the Fire Horse will represent action, speed and momentum. And success.

For sure, I could certainly do with some fire horse energy myself. 

This aside, may all of us prosper in the Year of the Fire Horse! 🔥🔥🔥🐴🐴🐴

There Will Be No NATO Without Donald Trump

Since the turn of the year, Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned NATO’s willingness to support the US. 

“I DOUBT NATO WOULD BE THERE FOR US IF WE REALLY NEEDED THEM”, he blasted on Truth Social on January 07. “We will always be there for NATO, even if they won’t be there for us”.

Then in a post on Truth Social on January 20, 2026 👇

👇In response, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a severe diplomatic ultimatum and threatened to dismantle critical pillars of the United States' presence in Europe. 

Meloni’s proposal includes the potential closure of vital strategic hubs such as Aviano Air Base and NAS Sigonella, which would effectively cripple American military projection across the Mediterranean and North Africa. Alongside military shifts, her stance calls for a full alignment with European Union trade suspensions and a symbolic boycott of iconic American brands like McDonald's to reject US cultural soft power. 

This defiance from a traditionally conservative ally signals a unprecedented unification of European political factions against Washington’s current foreign policy, marking a potential collapse of long-standing transatlantic security and economic alliances.

😂😂😂 I doubt she will actually carry out her threat!

Malaysia's top squash player Sivasangari Subramaniam’s run at the Tournament of Champions came to an end in the quarter-finals on Tuesday. 

The world No. 6 fell to world No. 4 Olivia Weaver, who won 11-5, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8 in 52 minutes. It was the American’s ninth win over Sivasangari in 10 meetings.

The Crawl Back to Russia

Foreign businesses that left Russia three years ago are crawling back to the country, Kirill Dmitriev, who is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy, has said. 

These companies pulled out of Russia, either due to supply problems caused by unprecedented sanctions imposed on Moscow by the West after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, or the risk of facing secondary sanctions or even public relations pressures. 

"The trend is there, we see that some firms are already returning. It’s just that there is no publicity around it. The process, however, is certainly underway", Dmitriev told journalists on Thursday. 

According to the investment envoy, American businesses alone lost over $300 billion from leaving the Russian market. 

When asked about conditions for the return of Western businesses to Russia, the president’s economic aide noted that the government are actively engaged in “setting the rules” for the process. According to Dmitriev (right), it's not about putting up barriers, but giving priority to protecting domestic businesses. 

In recent months foreign companies that had left Russia have begun to register new trademarks in the country, signaling their potential return. Among them are McDonald's, Hyundai, Intel, Microsoft, LG, IKEA, Chanel, Rolex, and Louis Vuitton, according to data from the Russian patent office, Rospatent.

Yesterday, Arsenal fought back from 2-0 down to salvage a 2-2 draw against Premier League champions Liverpool at Anfield. 

Andy Robertson had floated in a cross and an unmarked Cody Gakpo six yards out was there at the near post to power a header into the net in the twentieth minute. Then, Mohamed Salah's wonderful pass found Dominik Szoboszlai, who squared for Luis Diaz to tap into an empty net just 87 seconds later.

After half-time, Arsenal came roaring back. On forty-six minutes, they glanced a header into the far corner. And in the seventieth minute, the Gunners scored again to level the score.

But with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion and a home game against Crystal Palace with a trophy presentation to come, Arne Slot's side have two opportunities to make more memories before the season is through.

US Companies Still Doing Business in Russia

In spite of multiple rounds of sanctions imposed on Moscow by Washington, Kirill Dmitriev, President Vladimir Putin’s special representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, disclosed that some 150 US companies continue to operate in Russia. 

Apple, Coca-Cola, Ford, Microsoft, IBM, McDonald’s, and many other American brands decided to withdraw from the country after the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022 and the ramping up of sanctions against Moscow by the administration of then-US President Joe Biden. However, still many other enterprises opted to stay, with some doing so by re-branding their Russian enterprises. 

😂😂😂

Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow on Tuesday, Dmitriev insisted that these American firms “absolutely want to continue doing business in Russia”.

At the same meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin had expressed bewilderment why the G7 are called the "big" seven, although they are hardly "visible on the map"! As reported by TASS on March 18. 

😕😕😕

The GDP growth in the G7 countries for 2024 was just 1.9%, while the BRICS countries saw a growth rate of 4.9%. In Russia, the growth was 4.1% for two consecutive years, as highlighted by Putin. 

[Note: Russia was a member of the G8 (which existed in the G7 format, comprising the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, the US, France, and Japan since 1976) from 1997 until its suspension].

Meta and Amazon Axe DEI Initiatives, Joining US Corporate Rollback

Now, even Meta and Amazon are axing DEI initiatives and joining the US corporate rollback.

 

Walmart, McDonalds, Ford, John Deere, Harley-Davidson, JPMorgan Chase and BlackRock are among the other companies to have made similar DEI abandonment decisions, a sign of the acceleration of a retreat that started two years ago, as Republicans ramped up attacks and accusing them of "woke" progressive activism and threatening political punishment. More so, since Donald Trump won re-election.

 

Many of the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives were put in place after the Black Lives Matter protests that erupted in 2020 following George Floyd's murder at the hands of police. 

 

However, recent court decisions have bolstered critics of the programs, who said that they were discriminatory. The Supreme Court in 2023 struck down the right for private universities to consider race in admissions decisions. Another court of appeals ruling invalidated a Nasdaq policy that would have required companies listed on that stock exchange to have at least one woman, racial minority or LGBTQ person on their board or explain why not.

 

Celtic overcame sub-zero temperatures in the Highlands and a Ross County team in good form to secure a 4-1 victory and move 18 points clear in the Scottish Premiership yesterday. 

 

Kyogo Furuhashi put the table toppers in front when he poked in a lovely cross from right-back Alistair Johnston in the fortieth minute. But the Dingwall side leveled just twenty minutes later.

 

Celtic restored their advantage when Arne Engels crossed from the left and Furuhashi headed into the top corner in the 81st minute despite the Staggies keeper getting his hands to the effort.

 

As if that was not enough, the Celts scored two more in stoppage time. Within 6 minutes, a spot-kick for a challenge on Reo Hatate with Engels converting at the second attempt. And then, Luke McCowan completed the scoring when he slotted home in the 98th minute after managing three touches in the box.

 

 

McD’s Quarter Pounder Back on the Menu in the US

In the US, McDonald’s announced Sunday that the Quarter Pounder (left) will make a return. 

 

This iconic burger was taken off the menu at 20% of McDonald’s restaurants as E. coli cases are investigated. Testing has ruled out beef patties as the source of the outbreak of Escherichia coli poisoning tied to the popular item that killed one person and sickened at least 75 others across 13 states. 

 

The US Food and Drug Administration continue to believe that slivered onions from a single supplier are the likely source of contamination, McDonald’s said in a statement. They said they will resume selling the Quarter Pounder at affected restaurants – without slivered onions – in the coming week. 

 

As of Friday, a total of 22 people were still hospitalized, and two had developed a dangerous kidney disease complication, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to the CDC, the bacteria can cause symptoms of "severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting" 3-4 days after eating the contaminated food, although most people should recover 5-7 days later.

 

This particular CWTS Leiden Ranking 2024 shows Chinese universities dominating the scientific publication space:

 

McDonald's Filet-O-Fish Sandwich

You don't have to be a particular fan of a fish sandwich to love McDonald's Filet-O-Fish. There's just something delectable about that crispy piece of flaky white fish, the cheese, and the bun that's brilliant in its simplicity. 

 

Have you ever wondered what kind of fish it is? If so, you're not alone – and we have some seriously good news for you. Not only do McDonald's pride themselves on sourcing sustainable fish, but the particular type of fish they use is one of Alaska's most plentiful. (When it comes to food, at least).

 

The McDonald's Filet-O-Fish is probably fresher than you might expect, too: It wasn't too long before you bit into your piping hot fish sandwich that the fish inside was frolicking in the waters around Alaska and the Bering Sea. That's because the Filet-O-Fish is made with Alaska Pollock (Scientific name: Gadus chalcogrammus). 

 

The fish destined for your McD's sandwich are wild-caught as opposed to being farm-raised, and the strict regulations that govern the industry have made this not only one of the most sustainable fish but a fish population that isn't susceptible to overfishing and one that leads to almost no by-catch. (That's the measure of other species that are also caught along with the fish or are killed by fishing practices).

 

Interestingly, the Filet-O-Fish was almost made with a very different fish. The initial plan was to use halibut, which was then switched to cod. It remained a cod sandwich for around 50 years, but today, McDonald's customers are served up a fish that's described as a sustainable and nutritious powerhouse.

 

McDonald's sell a lot of Filet-O-Fish sandwiches, to the tune of 300 million a year (as of 2023). It makes sense, then, that their efforts to use a sustainable fish is a pretty big deal. In fact, in 2013, they started displaying the iconic blue fish of the Marine Stewardship Council, becoming the only national restaurant in the US to carry this distinction. That's a testament to the sustainable fishing practices used all along the process of plucking the fish from the seas to getting it to your drive-thru bag.

 

Alaska pollock has more than sustainability going for it; it's also prized for its mild flavor, flaky texture, and nutritional benefits. It's high in omega-3 fatty acids, and since it's frozen while it's still at sea, you get surprisingly fresh fish. And chances are good that you've had it in places other than McDonald's: It's said to be one of the most popular types of fish in the US.

Warren Buffet's Secret

Warren Buffett, hailed as one of the most successful investors of all time, and the seventh richest person on the planet, turned 94 years old on Friday.

 

You would be forgiven for thinking that the business tycoon would stick to a healthy diet to maintain his vitality. Surprisingly, many would consider Buffett’s eating habits quite the opposite. 

 

“I eat like a six-year-old”, he famously told Fortune in 2015, describing his love for “Utz” potato sticks and daily intake of five 12-ounce Coca Cola’s. “If I eat 2,700 calories a day, a quarter of that is Coca-Cola. I do it every day”. 

 

In a 2017 HBO documentary called Becoming Warren Buffett, the billionaire revealed he stops at McDonald’s every day for a $3.17 breakfast made up of one of three items: two sausage patties, a sausage, egg and cheese, or a bacon, egg and cheese. Which he, of course, enjoys with a Coke. 

 

For lunch, the business tycoon often stops by Dairy Queen for a chili-cheese dog and an ice cream sundae with cherry syrup and chopped nuts, and frequently snacks on See’s Candies. Buffett is also known for his excessive use of salt, so much so that former Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf compared it to a “snowstorm”.

 

In so many words, he is into junk food big-time! 

 

Fortune even did a piece on him on August 31, 2024 – and its title? "Warren Buffett turns 94 today. His secret to longevity? Coca-Cola, candy, and a life of joy".

 

I'm not trying to make any claim but it's a fact that I also love Coca-Cola and candy (M&M's). And so, I reckon two out of three ain't bad at all! 

 

😁😁😁

Note: This post is an excellent accompaniment to my August 28, 2024 post titled "Health Advice From 100-year-olds".

McDonald’s Profits Plunge 12%

Fast food giant McDonald's vowed Monday to win back consumers with better value offerings after they reported a rare sales decline that the company partly attributed to an exodus of inflation-weary low-income consumers.

 

McDonald’s worldwide sales fell 1 percent in the April-June period, the first drop since the last quarter of 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic and government restrictions closed businesses and kept millions of people at home. 

 

For much of the recent period of rising consumer prices, McDonald's garnered strong sales gains from diners who "traded down" to the fast food giant from more expensive rivals. But the market had, however, shifted in the most recent period. 

 

"We are seeing trade down, but what we're seeing is that the loss of the low-income consumers is greater than the trade-down benefit", said Chief Executive Christopher Kempczinski on a conference call. "You're seeing with that low-income consumer, in many cases, they're dropping out of the market, eating at home and finding other ways to economise". 

 

Profits for the quarter ending June 30 were $2.0 billion, down 12 percent. And revenues were essentially flat at $6.5 billion.

 

In their home market of the United States, McDonald's same-store sales fell nearly 1%. They experienced a drop in guest counts, although results were bolstered somewhat by digital and delivery growth. Outlets in so-called international developmental licensed markets, which are operated by licensees, saw a steeper decline, with sales falling 1.3 percent amid weak consumer sentiment in China and the drag from the Israel-Gaza war, which has seen consumers boycott the chain. 

 

Executives cautioned that the weakness from the latest quarter was extending so far into the third quarter. 👍👍👍

McDonald's Drive Thru Shooting

On June 14, 2024, a twenty-two-year-old McDonald's employee in Lakeland, Polk County in Florida, United States was none too pleased with a drive-thru customer's complaint, so she responded the American way 💪 and whipped out her gun. She then went outside and pulled the trigger. 

 

Fortunately, although her gunfire hit their car, it missed the people inside. 

 

"What's becoming disturbing is us hearing more about these types of stories", said Orlando's former police chief Orlando Rolón, via the Independent. "I'm shocked that she had a weapon of that sort in a place such as a McDonald's as an employee". 

 

But then again, it isn't so shocking, being that the fast food restaurant on East Memorial Boulevard where the shooting took place is in Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law that allows employees to pack a pistol – openly or concealed – while they work. In fact, no gun permit or any training is required for said employees.

 

The shooter, Chassidy Gardner (left) has since been arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

 

Russia is refusing to participate in a “performance” before a Western-dominated International Civil Aviation Organization panel about the 2014 downing of a Malaysian passenger jet in Donbass, the Russian Foreign Ministry have stated. 

 

Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was flying from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia when it was shot down in Ukrainian airspace. Not surprisingly, Kiev immediately blamed Donetsk People’s Republic forces and Russia for the incident. 

 

In March 2022, the Netherlands and Australia opened an investigation against Russia at the ICAO Council. However, the council first claimed judiciary powers they did not have, then tried to admit as evidence the two investigations into the MH17 disaster that explicitly excluded Russia – by the Dutch Security Council (NSB) and the Joint Investigation Team – while welcoming Ukraine and other adversely interested parties, according to Moscow.

 

Russia had initially agreed to take part in the proceedings “because we believed that the ICAO platform could be used for professional dialogue about the plane crash”, the ministry said. Russia has proposed “a full, thorough and independent international investigation into the crash of flight MH17, as required by UN Security Council Resolution 2166 and the ICAO Dispute Resolution Rules”, but the council refused, the foreign ministry said. 

 

“Ruled by the countries of the collective West and their satellites, the ICAO Council also refused to take into account the decision of the International Court of Justice of January 31, 2024”, which rejected Ukraine’s claims against Russia in the MH17 case, the ministry noted.

 

The council comprise of 36 members, who vote according to instructions from their governments. Thirteen countries including Netherlands and Australia had promptly and publicly blamed Russia for MH17 before any investigation began, the ministry said. When Russia asked them to abstain from voting in the matter, they refused. 

 

This pattern of behavior “runs counter to the minimum requirements for the objectivity of the proceedings”, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. “Under such circumstances, it is impossible to talk about an unbiased establishment of facts, much less a fair decision” . 

 

The “extensive and convincing evidence”, both factual and legal, that Russia was not involved in the MH17 incident has been made available to 193 ICAO members, the ministry declared. 

 

[FYI, then Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had expressed that there was insufficient evidence linking Russia to the downing of MH17, as reported by Malaysiakini on September 05, 2019].

McDonald's Lose Big Mac Trademark

If the Golden Arches look bowed in Europe today, there's a good reason. 

 

McDonald's lost a European Union trademark dispute over the Big Mac name after a top European Union court sided Wednesday with Irish fast-food rival Supermac's in a long-running legal battle. The Big Mac, first introduced in 1968, has been a cornerstone of McDonald's menu. 

 

This is what McDonald's get for being a big bully. In 2017, Galway-based Supermac's filed to register their name in the EU. When McDonald's learned about it, they dispatched their army of lawyers to flood the court with objections, claiming customers wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a Big Mac hamburger and a restaurant called Supermac's. 

 

McDonald's efforts backfired spectacularly. Not only did they fail to force Supermac's to change their name, they lost their exclusive right to "Big Mac". 

 

Supermac's portrayed the decision as a David and Goliath-style victory. Managing Director Pat McDonagh accused McDonald's of "trademark bullying to stifle competition". 

 

In any case, McDonald's remain unfazed by the ruling, which can be appealed to the European Court of Justice, the bloc's highest court, but only on points of law.

 

"The decision by the EU General Court does not affect our right to use the 'BIG MAC' trademark", pouted McDonald's in a statement. "Our iconic Big Mac is loved by customers all across Europe, and we're excited to continue to proudly serve local communities, as we have done for decades".  😁😁

 

Still, it's noteworthy to mention that Supermac's sell a burger called Mighty Mac: "A succulent double burger complete with two 100% Irish beef patties, melted cheese, crispy lettuce, diced onion with ketchup and burger sauce served in a toasted sesame seed bun". 

 

McDonald's Big Mac, on the other hand, "starts with two 100% pure all beef patties and Big Mac sauce sandwiched between a sesame seed bun. It's topped off with pickles, crisp shredded lettuce, finely chopped onion, and a slice of American cheese". 

 

No confusion there! 😂😂

 

Boycotts That Impact Businesses

We continue to see boycotts of some American brands impact on their businesses.

 

On social media sites, lists are going around of brands accused of supporting Israel's Gaza offensive, which has killed at least 36,000 people, many of them women and children. The push is part of a larger Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign targeting Israel-friendly brands since 2005.

 

In Malaysia, three American brands in particular, Starbucks, McDonalds, and KFC have been boycotted and their businesses are significantly affected. 

 

 

 

 

 

Hong Leong Investment Bank research in a note on May 24, 2024, said Berjaya Food which own 100% of Starbucks Corp.'s Malaysian operations announced group revenue was down by -24 percent quarter-on-quarter and -48 percent year-on-year on the back of the Starbucks boycott that's been ongoing since October 2023. 

 

The group reported a net loss of RM29.7 million for the third quarter ended March 31, 2024. FYI, Starbucks Malaysia still make up a big chunk of BFood revenue for the quarter contributing about 90 percent.

 

In February, McDonald’s admitted that the Gaza war was part of the reason international sales rose by just 0.7 percent during the fourth quarter of 2023, down sharply from a 16.5 percent expansion during the same period the previous year. 

 

“The most pronounced impact that we’re seeing is in the Middle East and in Muslim countries like Indonesia and Malaysia”, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said in an earnings call. “So long as this conflict, this war is going on […] we’re not expecting to see any significant improvement”.

 

The Malaysian franchise holder for KFC, QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd. were compelled to temporarily close more than 100 outlets, citing “challenging economic conditions”, as consumers in the Muslim-majority nation persist with a months-long boycott against brands perceived to have links with Israel. 

 

Methinks, it's time to go local! Support ZUS Coffee, Tealive, Ramly Burger, Marrybrown, 'Q' Bistro and Pelita nasi kandar, to name some of the well-established Malaysian brands.

 

Celtic beat Rangers 1-0 in a Scottish Cup final on Saturday with a 90th-minute winner from Adam Idah as the former completed the league and cup double. 

 

The match was by no means a classic and seemed destined for extra time when Idah, who joined the club on loan from Norwich City earlier this year, was in the right place at the right time to score and give Celtic a record-extending 42nd Scottish Cup triumph.

McDonald's (And Starbucks) Take a Sales Hit

After Starbucks, McDonald's too have admitted they are seeing a "meaningful" hit to business, as customers in the Middle East and elsewhere boycott the fast-food behemoth for their perceived support of Israel. 

Chief executive Chris Kempczinski acknowledged the impact in a LinkedIn post, blaming the backlash on "misinformation". 

"This is disheartening and ill-founded", he said. "In every country where we operate, including in Muslim countries, McDonald's (are) proudly represented by local owner operators". McDonald's rely on thousands of independent businesses to own and operate most of their more than 40,000 restaurants around the world – and about 5% are located in the Middle East. 

Since the Hamas-Israeli war began, the McDonald's corporate headquarters have tried to keep a low profile regarding the conflict. But their brand still gets entangled. It was sparked by McDonald's Israel boasting they had given away thousands of free meals to members of the Israeli military. 

The move sparked grassroots calls for boycotts of the brand by those angered by Israel's military aggression in Gaza, prompting owners in Muslim-majority countries such as Kuwait, Malaysia and Pakistan to put out statements distancing themselves. 

The post from Kempczinski comes as tensions over the boycotts have escalated. 

The pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), which had not formally targeted McDonald's, this week officially called for a boycott of the brand. The move came after McDonald's Malaysia, which are backed by a Saudi entity, sued the Malaysia BDS group for $1.3 million, citing "false and defamatory statements" that they said had hurt their business. 

BDS called McDonald's to cut ties with their franchisee in Israel as well as in Malaysia, unless they dropped the lawsuit. 

"Instead of pressuring (their) parent company, McDonald's Corporation, to terminate (their) shameful franchise agreement in Israel, McDonald's Malaysia and (their) Saudi owner are desperately trying to silence voices of peaceful solidarity with the Palestinian liberation struggle in Malaysia", the group said. "We cannot let this pass. Let's show McDonald's what grassroots boycotts can do".

McDonald's declined to comment on the lawsuit, referring back to the post. In his message, Kempczinski said: "We abhor violence of any kind and firmly stand against hate speech, and we will always proudly open our doors to everyone".

And in the US especially, Starbucks became the target of pro-Palestine boycotts after they sued the Starbucks Workers United union in October over a social media post in support of Palestine. CEO Laxman Narasimhan, in a letter to employees, noted many of Starbucks' stores have experienced incidents of vandalism, and added the company are working with local authorities to ensure the safety of their workers and customers.

The coffee chain won’t yet say how their sales have been impacted. The company’s next quarterly sales report won’t come out until February, but there are indications Starbucks are taking a sales hit. 

In an early December report, JP Morgan analyst John Ivankoe lowered his US sales forecast for Starbucks’ fiscal first quarter, saying holiday sales appeared to be slower than promotions in the fall. Starbucks' share price tumbled on the news. 

Meanwhile, videos posted on X show protests and empty stores in London, Dubai and elsewhere.