Voices
in
Japan

quote of the day

We’re exploring the sale of a portion of our ownership in McDonald’s Japan if we identify a strategic investor who could help advance Japan’s turnaround efforts and unlock our growth potential.

10 Comments

McDonald's Corp Chief Financial Officer Kevin Ozan, responding to reports that it may sell a stake in its loss-making Japan unit. (Bloomberg)

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

10 Comments
Login to comment

if we identify a strategic investor

Just another way to say "if somebody wants to buy..."

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Go fresh made/local sources. People are tired of your overly processed food. Don't skimp on toppings either. Exactly one pickle always. Never enough onions on the 1/4 pounder. ketchup, what little mustard it puts on, and the onions are always a blob in the center. It's not rocket science.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I'll tell you what would unlock growth potential: Give us sweet and sour sauce.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Maybe there are simply too many Japanese people who don't like McDonald's! Good on them! McDonald's having to scale back operations would be a good news story for a host of reasons.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

American levels of perceived hygiene are unacceptable in Japan. Just yesterday in a Kyoto McDonald's I saw a woman making burgers bend down and pick up a piece of lettuce off the floor and throw it away. She didn't then wash her hand. She went right back to making burgers with her hands, including mine. I tolerate that kind of poor hygiene in the US. But seeing something like that will make Japanese customers swear-off McDonald's and explain to all their friends why they are doing so. McDonald's Japan's problems are systemic. Good luck trying to find a buyer for that.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

unlock our growth potential

There is growth potential in reconstituted offal?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

It's simple. McDonald's Japan is fresh out of ideas (boom tish). Their offerings, not to mention the decor of their outlets, are outdated. What's their latest brainchild? Fries topped with chocolate sauce. ¥330 no less! Australia & UK stores are trying 'build your own' burgers, putting greater emphasis on the McCafe concept (incorporated into almost every store) and are even trying pop-up health food stores. Even McDonald's USA is branching out with other offerings such as pizza.

There's just too much good food (ie. better alternatives) for McDonald's to remain competitive in Japan. It needs an entirely new approach.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

a strategic investor...

a fool...

who could help advance Japan’s turnaround efforts

who could rearrange the deckchairs

and unlock our growth potential

because the last lifeboat is being lowered, and we're in it.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites