“Customers” queue outside the Midosuji-Suomachi branch of McDonald’s in Osaka on Tuesday.

McDonald's admits 1,000 people paid to join queue for Quarter Pounder debut in Osaka

Friday 26th December, 09:21 AM JST

OSAKA —

Around 1,000 people were paid to join the queue outside the Midosuji-Suomachi branch of McDonald’s for the release of their Quarter Pounder burger in the Kansai area on Tuesday, it was learned on Thursday.

The company has admitted to the fact that around 1,000 people who lined up on Tuesday were compensated, but claims they only made a request for consumer feedback to one of their marketing companies. There are suspicions however that the people were employed to help promote the new product, serving a role known as “sakura” in Japanese.

It is estimated that as many as 2,000 people were lining up outside the McDonald’s store at its peak on Tuesday, and that around 15,000 people in total visited the store during the day, setting a new record for daily sales for one of their stores. But it was learned on Thursday that about 1,000 of the people queuing outside were paid an hourly wage of 1,000 yen and also had their purchase paid for. These people were hired by a human resources company at the request of a marketing company commissioned by McDonald’s Japan.

A McDonald’s Japan spokesman said: “We wanted to know how the service and product quality were on the first day. We didn’t know 1,000 people had been sent to the store.”

News reports

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Latest 15 of 73 Total Comments Show All

NuckinFutz at 10:15 PM JST - 26th December

Japanese Business Ethics 101. Pay attention now children! It's important you learn these things!
telecasterplayer at 07:07 AM JST - 27th December

The mingling of melted cheese and meat is a delight to the senses.

McDonald's ought to try selling that.
kenjinakasone at 02:59 PM JST - 28th December

who's next, Burger King?

they probably got paid at the front of the queue. after the first 1,000, the buck stopped there.
holyman at 07:40 AM JST - 29th December

very stupid fast food...hahahah...people in japan are boneless...no brains..try waiting to take a dump...freedrom should be a benefit not a sign of stupity or insanity...no way will japan be a first world nation...give up the bullshit...go fine true freedom.....go to America where mcds is shit
MikeBarrymore at 09:50 PM JST - 29th December

I've had many a quarter pounder, oh lovely i can have them all day!!!

Never paid or waited ina queue for one though.
OhioDonna at 08:37 AM JST - 30th December

I would have to be well compensated to stand in line for a Quarter Pounder. They are not all that great.
scoobydoo at 10:26 AM JST - 30th December

1000yen/hr not bad wages for doing nothing. Is there anything actually wrong with employing people to do that apart from just opinion? I think that money could be helpful for many people in this economic time and advertising is not generally considered wrong.
jonnyboy at 05:59 PM JST - 31st December

whether or not you like mcdonalds or not, i really feel strongly that their (very powerful) way of marketing to children should most definitely be illegal. children don't have the mental ability to make rational purchasing decisions and are easily swayed with bright lights and smiling (actors) faces

in fact, i think any advertising aimed at children is questionable, full-stop
MikeBarrymore at 06:09 PM JST - 31st December

McDonalds are naughty doing this promotion.

I prefer English takeaways anyway. MMmmm, a nice meaty jumbo sausage in my mouth anyday.

I hope the Japanese enjoy Quarter Pounders. I think they should get some chippies though , and some Pukka pies, oooh that sounds awight.
Sarge at 06:11 PM JST - 31st December

"I really feel strongly that their very powerful way of marketing to children should most definitely be illegal"

Oh, for cryin' out loud, so, Donald McDonald should be banned?!
MikeBarrymore at 06:13 PM JST - 31st December

Sarge- The name is Ronald not Donald , dear!!!!
Sarge at 06:29 PM JST - 31st December

Mike - In Japan, he's Donald. You know how the mix up the Rs and the Ls in Japan ha ha ha
unscrejects at 06:36 PM JST - 31st December

1000 per hour is going to have a bigger fallout than the con job. McD. pays its workers less per hour. And on the record half trillion yen sales let's look it at in real sales and remove the supply of materials to privately held stores which they're in the habit of passing off as retail sales.
MikeBarrymore at 01:09 AM JST - 1st January

I recommend watch Mclibel darlings. You wouldn't beleive the dirty tricks McDonalds gets up to to promote its food. Much more scandlous than this scam, but i admit i like quarter pounders, they're awight!!!
cainhf1 at 01:39 AM JST - 2nd January

Take a good look at what Fast food has done to American children and their parents. Sure it seemed great at the start no we have the most obese people in the world. Heck even our homeless are obese. Say no to Fast food no matter how good you think it tastes. I would hate to see Japan follow the footsteps of America in that regards.