MacDonalds to sue Florence

[Hope]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37910431

I thought this warranted more than just 'General Discussion' so put it here.

What do folk feel about this kind of action by a massive global player?  Is it bullying, sensible business, or what?

[Walter]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37910431

I thought this warranted more than just 'General Discussion' so put it here.

What do folk feel about this kind of action by a massive global player?  Is it bullying, sensible business, or what?

I think its outrageous, Hope.
I don't mind one of their burgers occasionally but their attitude to special privilege is deplorable.
They argued for an outlet my little town but were eventually turned down. They ended up on the outskirts next to an industrial park

[jeremyp]

I think its outrageous, Hope.
I don't mind one of their burgers occasionally but their attitude to special privilege is deplorable.
They argued for an outlet my little town but were eventually turned down. They ended up on the outskirts next to an industrial park

They think they have been treated unfairly. The court will decide if they have been or not.

[Harrowby Hall]

Isn't this a little foretaste of TTIP?

Government bodies threatened with legal action if they infringe the right of private companies to make profit?

[Bubbles]

There are to many MacDonalds IMO, that and costa coffee.

Coming back from a trip out about 200 miles, I wanted to stop along the Major road for a coffee and a bite to eat and every single service stop was MacDonalds and costacoffee. I didn't want either.


There are so many on some major routes you can't find anything else.

I went without.

They stop diversity because they plonk a MacDonalds everywhere.

200 miles + and it was all you could get without leaving the main route.

I think councils would be justified in turning some down, if only to give some variety.

I now avoid them because I feel they push others out.


 

[Harrowby Hall]

Rose, that's because many of them are franchises.

You buy the business model and have the right to use the name. All the hard work of establishing the business has already been done. You don't have to run around trying to source supplies.

An easy way into a (with a bit of luck) profitable business.

[ekim]

Isn't this a little foretaste of TTIP?

Government bodies threatened with legal action if they infringe the right of private companies to make profit?

I think it is, and it probably forces the local authority to weigh up paying compensation against the cost of litigation to the tax payers.

[Bubbles]

Rose, that's because many of them are franchises.

You buy the business model and have the right to use the name. All the hard work of establishing the business has already been done. You don't have to run around trying to source supplies.

An easy way into a (with a bit of luck) profitable business.

Yes, I know, but it still means I have no choice if they grab every service station and they are the only option for food.

I wouldn't have minded so much if along the 200mile + journey there was a Kentucky or a little chef, but there wasn't

Just MacDonalds and costa coffee at every service stop.

That might be unusual and might only affect the road I travelled along, but it's put me off both MacDonalds and Costa coffee.

I don't like the way they grab the monopoly.

I think that is a good enough reason for councils to reject their application, that it reduces customer choice.

You can have too many of them, and every service stop for 200+ miles is too much.

[Sebastian Toe]

Yes, I know, but it still means I have no choice if they grab every service station and they are the only option for food.

I wouldn't have minded so much if along the 200mile + journey there was a Kentucky or a little chef, but there wasn't

Just MacDonalds and costa coffee at every service stop.

That might be unusual and might only affect the road I travelled along, but it's put me off both MacDonalds and Costa coffee.

I don't like the way they grab the monopoly.

I think that is a good enough reason for councils to reject their application, that it reduces customer choice.

You can have too many of them, and every service stop for 200+ miles is too much.

What was the road?

[jeremyp]

Coming back from a trip out about 200 miles, I wanted to stop along the Major road for a coffee and a bite to eat and every single service stop was MacDonalds and costacoffee. I didn't want either.

What's wrong with costa coffee?

[Harrowby Hall]

Costa does, at least. have the distinction of being a British company. Its profits are not being exported to the USA.

[Bubbles]

What was the road?

M3 and A34

Dorset to Buckingham.

Most other stretches of road have some variety in the service stations but not that one.

[Bubbles]

What's wrong with costa coffee?

Nothing, it was the lack of variety that was wrong.

[Sebastian Toe]

M3 and A34

Dorset to Buckingham.

Most other stretches of road have some variety in the service stations but not that one.

Chieveley?
Arlo's, Burger King, Costa Coffee, West Cornwall Pasty, Greggs

The Peartree interchange?
KFC, Starbucks, Costa Express, Krispy Kreme, West Cornwall Pasty Co.

Family Farm?
Little Chef.

Didcot?
Harvester.

[Bubbles]

Chieveley?
Arlo's, Burger King, Costa Coffee, West Cornwall Pasty, Greggs

The Peartree interchange?
KFC, Starbucks, Costa Express, Krispy Kreme, West Cornwall Pasty Co.

Family Farm?
Little Chef.

Didcot?
Harvester.

We drove along and called in at just about every services and that isn't what we found.

[Sebastian Toe]

We drove along and called in at just about every services and that isn't what we found.

Maybe try those four next time?