That's according to preschoolers, anyway.
A study done by a researcher at Stanford University has concluded that kids think that anything that McDonald's does taste better than anyone else. And not just the burgers and fries. This also extends to the milk, carrots, and apple juice! As long as it has a McDonald's logo, it's better. To quote Diane Levin, a childhood development specialist: "You see a McDonald's logo and kids start salivating."
There has already been news recently that some companies are going to stop advertising toward kids and I'm sure this news will add to that. Though I think McDonald's is probably advertising to adults more than ever now, with their "I'm Lovin' It" campaign. Over at the Obscure Store and Reading Room, a reader makes a good point, that when he was a kid going to McDonald's was a special treat, not a daily dietary choice. Now it's seen as a regular thing, I think, with many parents. I remember when I was a kid it was something that was done once in a great while, something I got excited about when we went out of town to the mall and we got to stop at the golden arches after shopping with family. But McDonald's are everywhere now, even in your small hometown, so those days are probably gone.
8-07-2007 @3:39PM yumdcblog said... This is truly terrifying.
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8-07-2007 @4:05PM John Henderson said... You know, the actual study didn't show that the kids preferred Mcdonald's per say. It showed that they prefer familiar branded items. It just so happened that the only brand that they tested was McDonald's. Kids like familiar things where they're fairly confident in what it will taste like. "McDonald's, ya! I've eaten that!" Vs. "Vanilla plain wrapper? Wth is this? I don't know what it will taste like. Waaah!".
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8-08-2007 @11:47AM Steve Barron said... I agree with John Henderson's point of "McDonald's, ya! I've eaten that!" and suggest, further, that McDonalds must make something the kids liked the taste of or they would be running the other way!
My little girl won't eat many other kinds of chicken nuggets, but she'll often try them. She knows and likes McNuggets and knows to trust the box.
Growing up, I couldn't stand McDonald's but loved a Philly-based burger chain called Gino's. I would have been running the other way from McDonald's. :)
Today, I enjoy the occasional trip to the Golden Arches, especially when in a hurry in a strange place. It's almost like comfort food. :)
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