McDonald's Finds Zen

by SAMANTHA QUEEN · February 26, 2008

    mcdonalds

    Or rather, McDonalds exploits Zen. When we’re talking about McDonald’s, I suppose it’s all the same, really. ANYWAY, a McDonald’s just outside of L.A. has revamped its interior according to principles of Feng Shui. That’s right – you may be able to counteract the harm done from ingesting the food by scarfing it down in a setting aimed at promoting luck, harmony, and good health. I kid, I kid. No, the point of the bamboo and the muted palette isn’t to neutralize the food; rather, it’s to promote sales. McDonald’s is seeking to access a higher-end clientèle and increase its sales by following the Starbucks model. In other words, their marketing department just figured out that yuppies are generally willing to pay more and that those same yuppies will spend more when they feel comfortable enough to stay longer. Which is kind of funny if you think about it, since their business concept is “fast food.” Either way, New Yorkers beware! There is a lot of sun and superficiality in L.A., so they may fall for this out there; but when McBuddha comes to the Big Apple, don’t be fooled by this foul temptress! It is, after all, still McDonald’s.

    [McDonald's McCafe]