Watch out Starbucks! McDonald’s is ready to launch its first full-fledged loyalty program later this year or early in 2017. How receptive will consumers be to McDonald’s loyalty program? Do you think McD’s should largely mimic Starbucks’ My Rewards program?

You might have thought that when McDonald’s announced offering all-day breakfast at its restaurants around the U.S., it might set off a battle for the market with its fast food rivals. Instead, the move may be the reason behind an uprising. Do you see reports of franchisee unhappiness at McDonald’s as a sign of serious problem with the strategy?

Burger King made an offer that McDonald’s could refuse. Perhaps, McDonald’s should reconsider. The number-two burger chain placed ads in the Chicago Tribune and New York Times yesterday calling on its rival to join with it in a one-day promotion to create the McWhopper to raise awareness and funds in support of the International Day of Peace. Did McDonald’s make the right decision or a mistake in turning down Burger King’s offer?

A new survey found that slow checkout speeds and long lines were the top grievances related to the store checkout experience, and yet a lack of quality human interaction and perceived ingratitude on the part of cashiers was also a part of the shortfall. How important are cashers to the shopping experience of consumers?

When Steve Easterbrook was named McDonald’s CEO in January, just about everyone paying attention agreed the company needed to reinvent itself. But with a focus primarily on reorganization, many investors are asking, “Where’s the reinvention?” Do you think Wall Street was expecting too much from McDonald’s management considering the length of time Steve Easterbrook has been CEO?

Roughly 90,000 people working in restaurants operated by McDonald’s will be a little better off starting in July as the fast food chain has announced it will pay employees $1 above the mandated minimum wage. Will McDonald’s announcement have any effect on the public perception of the company and its franchisees as employers?

For those of you who have yearned for a McGriddle sandwich only to realize that it’s 10:35 a.m. and too late, there may be reason for hope. McDonald’s is testing an all-day breakfast menu at some of its locations in the San Diego area. Do you think all-day breakfast can play a significant role in turning McDonald’s business around?

McDonald’s announced yesterday that it would end the sale of chicken treated with human antibiotics at its restaurants in the U.S. within the next two years. How will McDonald’s decision to phase out the sale of chickens treated with human antibiotics affect the poultry industry?

Beyond the pink cutout hearts on windows, some chains are taking extra steps for Valentine’s Day to encourage intimate engagement among its customers. What do you think of campaigns that call for personal interactions with others?

The list of ingredients which constitute the special sauce unique to McDonald’s Big Macs is not the closely-guarded secret it once was, but there must still be something special about it. McDonald’s Australia is auctioning off a branded bottle of Big Mac Special Sauce on eBay. Do you see McDonald’s eventually packaging its special sauce for sale in grocery stores similarly to what it is doing with its McCafe coffee?

McDonald’s has been on a search for answers. The company has posted months of declining same-store sales in the U.S. and abroad. In a familiar response to such challenges, the burger giant announced yesterday that Don Thompson would step down as president and CEO of the organization, effective March 1. What are the major challenges facing McDonald’s?

New commercials may indicate McDonald’s is looking to increase the effectiveness of its “I’m Lovin’ It” ad campaign, but the chain and its investors are certainly not enamored with recent performance. Now the chain is seeking answers, and many of those, according to reports, are coming from Australia. What do you see as the biggest challenges facing McDonald’s in the U.S.?

After slowing down during the recession, the organics business is booming again. With Walmart, Kroger and others expanding organic assortments, and McDonald’s entering the fray, the category appears set to reach another gear. Is the organic pie growing fast enough for the many competitors going after the market?

For some McDonald’s customers in Australia, the menu just got both bigger and more technologically sophisticated. A video on YouTube shows a customer ordering a customized McDonald’s burger. Will a shift to customized burgers and app-based ordering make McDonald’s more competitive with fast casual chains in the U.S.?

McDonald’s has been on a sales skid and many watchers of the golden arches point to a failure by the chain to connect with Millennials as a major factor in its struggles. That’s where McDonald’s first VP-customer officer comes in. What do you think of McDonald’s organizing its marketing department by demographic groupings?

McDonald’s has gone to great lengths in recent years to raise the profile of its coffee with consumers in the battle for the breakfast day-part and beyond. Now the fast food restaurant operator is following the lead of Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks with plans to sell its coffee in stores beginning early next year. Do you expect packaged McCafe coffees to be successful?

McDonald’s has been known for working closely with franchisees to make their operations successful. That has led the general counsel of the National Labor Relation Board to conclude McDonald’s is a “joint employer” with franchisees when it comes to the treatment of workers under federal labor laws. What effects, if upheld, will the NLRB general counsel’s ruling have on McDonald’s in the U.S.?

McDonald’s has announced the addition of a lower calorie yogurt to its menu, and a new animated character to promote its meals with kids. The response from child health advocates and social media to the news was probably not what the chain had hoped. What do you think about McDonald’s changes to its Happy Meal menu and mascot?

McDonald’s recent announcement that it would be soon be handing out free coffee at its U.S. restaurants for two weeks set off wide speculation about how serious the fast food chain is about coffee, both at its own locations and in grocery aisles. Do you see McDonald’s focus on coffee enhancing or interfering with its core brand identity?

Starbucks is updating its iPhone app to give cardholders easier access to their account information as well as adding digital tipping and “shake to pay” features. But the most interesting mobile news coming from the chain involves an app test that the company is not discussing publicly in great detail. Will mobile ordering apps become commonplace at foodservice operations in the near future?

Despite free WiFi, McDonald’s doesn’t attract the laptop crowd. More likely patrons are the elderly needing a place to go, teens hanging out, or homeless people escaping the cold, and seating limits are rarely enforced. How should local McDonald’s owners deal with elderly loiterers?

You can almost hear the taunt coming from the playground. “My burger is bigger than your burger. Nah, nah, nah, nah.” That, in essence, is Burger King’s strategy to knock the real king of the fast good burger realm, McDonald’s Big Mac, off its throne. Do you see Burger King being able to make incremental share gains by winning the me-too competition with McDonald’s and others?

Earlier this week, McDonald’s went public with a pledge “to begin purchasing verified sustainable beef in 2016” shich begs the question “What is sustainable beef?” As it turns out, McDonald’s doesn’t have a definition either. Do “sustainability” efforts by McDonald’s and others pay off for the companies and their investors?

If you want to succeed in retail, it’s best to follow the KISS (keep it simple stupid) rule. That’s a simplified analysis of Siegel+Gale’s fourth annual Global Brand Simplicity index report. What role do you think simplicity plays in business success? Do you also see a connection between simplicity and innovation in corporate environments?

The topic of retail employee wages has gotten more attention lately. Those supportive of the chains can point to several reasons why paying workers higher wages is a bad idea. Is there a different approach to starting wages paid at retail that would bring employers and employees together and benefit not just the parties directly involved, but the national economy, as well?

For food service retailers, high levels of employee turnover, the franchise model’s ability to provide a consistent experience across all outlets, and changing customer behavior are obstacles to long-term loyalty and financial growth. What steps can fast food retailers take to be seen as “customer centric” by their current customers?

Imagine if for one month, the golden arches at McDonald’s no longer used the company’s name, but instead shortened it to the popular Mickey D’s. That’s what the chain has done in Australia to celebrate its 40 years of serving up burgers there. What do you think of McDonald’s Macca’s promotion in Australia?

McDonald’s is encouraging its franchisees to stay open on Christmas after seeing healthy sales at those locations operating on Thanksgiving. What do you think of McDonald’s urging its franchisees to stay open on Christmas? Is making it completely voluntary for employees along with double-pay enough?

Walt Disney recently announced plans to become the first media giant to ban “junk food” ads from its kids programming. By 2015, all food and beverage products advertised will have to meet the company’s nutrition criteria that are largely aligned to federal standards. How influential can media companies such as Disney be in encouraging healthier eating habits for kids?

McDonald’s U.K. wants to engage with customers in a dialogue about the business. They want to know what people think, to encourage questions and provide answers. To what degree is transparency becoming more important for restaurants and food sellers in general?

In recent years, RetailWire has reported on in-store television networks and the general response to their value has been lukewarm. Now the Los Angeles Times reports that McDonald’s is launching its own network in high definition at restaurants across the country. How would you measure success if you were in charge of launching the McDonald’s Channel?

McDonald’s recently announced that it is going to fill its Happy Meal boxes with apple slices and smaller portions of French fries starting in September as part of a bid to meet the new, rigorous Council of Better Business Bureaus Food Pledge nutrition standards. Do you agree with the author that McDonald’s has made sound business decisions in with their new Happy Meals plan?

India consistently appears on the list of the top-five markets in which to expand. Over the last two decades, some European and North American brands have seen profits while others are wondering what fit of madness brought them to tackle this market. Do you agree with the author’s list of key questions brands should ask themselves when entering a foreign market such as India?

Generational and cultural skews represent significant challenges for a lot of today’s senior executives, if they want their companies to remain relevant and in demand. Do you agree that “innovation is more difficult when leaders are much older than the target market?”

The term McJobs brings up visions of poorly paid hourly employees toiling in an unpleasant working environment with little chance at advancement. McDonald’s is intent on debunking that view. Is McDonald’s on the right track to dispel the negative view of McJobs with its National Hiring Day program?

McDonald’s is trying to act all mature as it goes for a more upscale and adult shopper. So, where does that leave an iconic clown closing in on 50? Is the “new” McDonald’s headed in the right marketing direction? What about Burger King?

McDonald’s is in the midst of the biggest transformation in store architecture, packaging, and messaging the company has ever undertaken in 32,000 stores, and in 118 countries. Of the tactics mentioned in the article, which ones will do the most to deliver on McDonald’s “simple, easy enjoyment” brand promise?

July 13, 2010 – McDonald’s announces it will offer customers a free sample of its new McCafe Real Fruit Smoothies on July 22 – 24. July 16 – McDonald’s decides to skip the free smoothie offer. What is your take on McDonald’s handling of the McCafe Real Fruit Smoothies sampling event?

While bars in U.S. cities were packed with revelers riveted to World Cup’s start this past weekend, evidence of the world-wide event was hard to find at retail. That’s a far cry from countries where soccer is a national pastime. Is marketing around the World Cup still mainly a Hispanic opportunity in the U.S. or is it appealing to a wider audience?

Millions of kids in America have grown up expecting to get toys with their burgers and fries, but that may prove to be a thing of the past in California’s Santa Clara County. Will an ordinance banning toy giveaways with foods that are high in calories and sodium lead parents to make healthier choices for their kids?

A coalition of health professionals and parents last week called for the resignation of Ronald McDonald. They claim the 50-year old mascot encourages kids to eat unhealthy foods and contributes to childhood obesity problems. Should McDonald’s retire Ronald McDonald?

For those perennially rushing from pillar to post, fast food restaurants have proved obliging. But examples of recent declines at Burger King, McDonald’s, 7-Eleven and Wendy were cited as evidence of economic concerns. Do you agree the downturn has increased the at-home breakfast opportunity for grocery stores?

The Hispanic population continues to grow at a rate much faster than the rest of the U.S. population and their numbers are having a profound effect on many aspects of American society, reports Adweek. How are Hispanics of all generations affecting retailing and consumer product marketing in the U.S.?

Increasingly, convenience store retailers are seeking to capture a greater share of takeout sales as well as respect the earth with reliable, environmentally friendly packaging that won’t drive up the cost of takeout meals. How much of a selling point is green packaging at retail?

While there are a lot of reasons one could point to as “the reason” behind McDonald’s success in recent years, a piece on Forbes.com posits that the real credit goes to McDonald’s CEO Jim Skinner for “building a widespread sense of empathy… for the company’s customers.” Do you agree with the premise that Jim Skinner’s greatest accomplishment has been in making McD’s a more empathetic company?

Talk about “in your face.” McDonald’s has put up a billboard promoting its espresso within sight of Starbucks’ headquarters. Oh yes, it also has another message: “Four bucks is dumb.” What is your reaction to McDonald’s comparison campaign with Starbucks in Washington State?

McDonald’s is testing ingredient changes and possibly higher prices for its popular $1 double cheeseburger as part of a reassessment of its Dollar Menu. It also is considering adding a slightly higher tiered menu of budget items. The modifications come as the chain responds to rising ingredient prices. Is it time to junk the Dollar Menu due to rising food costs?

“People who want gourmet coffee are not going to Mickey D’s. You go there, you want good coffee that’s cheap. You don’t go there looking for Starbucks or Rockin’ Joe…coffee.” That opinion, straight from the mouth of the resident 19-year old looking over his father’s shoulder as he worked on this piece, may very well sum up the current dilemma at McDonald’s. Is McDonald’s plan to add specialty coffee centers at its U.S. restaurants a good idea being implemented at a bad time, a good idea at the right time or just a bad idea for any time?

Talk to some people and they’ll tell you, “You’ve got to give something to get something.” Others, on the other hand, will remind you, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Those two approaches boil down the current conflict between McDonald’s and a number of its franchisees. Where do you come down in the dispute between McDonald’s and its franchisees over giveaways and discounted product promotions?

Sampling works. It’s a known fact that giving consumers the opportunity to test a product increases the likelihood they will buy. That’s why it’s a mystery in food retailing, for example, that companies such as Costco, Trader Joe’s and Wegmans sample products continually while the vast majority of grocers either dabble or steer clear of the practice altogether. Where do you see sampling heading? Do you have suggestions on what types of sampling work best?