The marketing mix is a tool that businesses use to determine the most effective way to market their products or services. The four elements of the marketing mix are product, price, place, and promotion. McDonald’s, like all businesses, uses these elements to reach its target market.
McDonald’s sells a variety of fast food items such as burgers, fries, and chicken sandwiches. The company has a wide variety of products to appeal to different customers. McDonald’s prices are very competitive with other fast food restaurants. The company offers value meals which include a drink and a side item for a set price. McDonald’s also offers coupons and discounts which can save customers money on their meals.
McDonald’s locations are convenient for customers who are on the go. The restaurant is often located near highways and shopping centers. McDonald’s also has a drive-thru option for customers who do not want to leave their cars.
McDonald’s promotes its products through television commercials, billboards, and social media. The company uses these channels to reach a wide variety of customers. McDonald’s also sponsors events such as sports teams and charity events. This helps to generate positive publicity for the company.
The marketing mix is an important tool that businesses use to identify the most effective way to market their products or services. McDonald’s uses all four elements of the marketing mix to reach its target market of busy customers who are looking for a quick, affordable meal.
The core of this presentation is to debate the concept of distribution strategy with real-world examples from McDonald’s fast food restaurants. The goal is to go through McDonald’s distribution channel and how it distributes its meals to consumers.
McDonald’s is a fast food restaurant chain that was founded in 1940. The company has since grown to become one of the largest fast food restaurant chains in the world, with over 36,000 locations in over 100 countries. McDonald’s sells a variety of food items, including burgers, fries, chicken, salads, breakfast items, and desserts.
The company has a complex distribution system that includes both company-owned restaurants and franchises. In terms of distribution channels, McDonald’s uses a mix of direct and indirect channels. The company owns and operates most of its own restaurants, which allows it to have more control over its products and brand. However, McDonald’s also relies on franchising to reach new markets quickly. Franchises are responsible for their own distribution, but they must follow McDonald’s guidelines and standards.
McDonald’s has a global supply chain that sources ingredients from all over the world. The company has strict quality control standards in place to ensure that all of its products meet its high standards. McDonald’s also uses advanced manufacturing and distribution technologies to keep its products fresh and delicious.
The company has a well-developed marketing mix that includes traditional advertising, online marketing, and social media marketing. McDonald’s also sponsors a variety of events and activities to promote its brand. Overall, McDonald’s has an effective distribution strategy that helps it reach its target markets quickly and efficiently.
Place (distribution) is said to determine where the product will be sold and how it will get there in the Marketing Mix theory. In reality, as stated on www.mcdonalds.com, McDonald’s is the world’s largest foodservice retailer, with over 30,000 local restaurants in 121 countries that serve nearly 46 million people each day. Independent franchisees own and operate approximately 80 percent of all McDonald’s restaurants throughout the world.
The company has been in existence for over 60 years and is currently the 6th largest private employer in the world, with 1.9 million employees on its payroll. The company has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a drive-in restaurant founded by two brothers, Dick and Mac McDonald, in San Bernardino, California in 1940.
In terms of marketing mix, product refers to the physical good or service that is being offered for sale. In the case of McDonald’s, the product is fast food. The company offers a variety of menu items including burgers, chicken, fish, salads, fries, soft drinks, shakes, and desserts.
Pricing refers to the process of setting a price for a product. In the case of McDonald’s, pricing is based on a variety of factors including menu mix, restaurant location, and customer demographics.
Promotion is the process of communicating the value of a product to customers. McDonald’s uses a variety of promotion tools such as advertising, public relations, and discounts/coupons.
Place (distribution) refers to the process of making a product available to customers. As noted above, McDonald’s has a comprehensive distribution system that includes over 30,000 restaurants in 121 countries. The company also has a strong e-commerce presence, with online ordering available in select markets.
According to Kotler (et al., 2001, p. 513), “retailers, especially fast food chains, frequently use the phrase ‘location, location, location,’ etc., to describe their seven P marketing principles.” Attracting consumers is critical for a business’s success. Site selection choices are among the most crucial that a firm can make in terms of site selection decisions.
There are three main types of distribution channels that a company can use to get its product to market:
1. Direct marketing – This is when the company sells directly to the consumer through its own retail outlets or e-commerce website.
2. Indirect marketing – This is when the company uses intermediaries such as distributors, wholesalers, or retailers to reach the consumer.
3. Online marketing – This is when the company uses the internet as a platform to reach the consumer, without using intermediaries.
McDonald’s primarily uses indirect marketing, through franchised restaurants and licensed stores, to sell its products. The company also has a direct marketing channel in the form of McCafes. However, online marketing is playing an increasingly important role in McDonald’s distribution strategy, with the company now offers delivery in some markets.
The main advantages of using a direct marketing channel are that it gives the company more control over its product and brand, and can be more cost-effective. The main disadvantage is that it can be more difficult to reach a wide range of consumers. Indirect marketing channels have the opposite advantages and disadvantages.
Distribution agreements are typically long term in nature. Channel choices are generally considered strategic rather than tactical or operational because of the length of time over which they will be implemented. McDonald’s restaurants operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, catering to the demands and preferences of its customers, particularly when it comes to feeding them.
The company also offers a breakfast menu which is available all-day. The fast food restaurant uses various types of packaging such as cartons, paper bags, and wrapping papers depending on the product. For example, chicken nuggets are packed in a paper bag while Big Macs are wrapped in special aluminium papers.
In terms of promotions and marketing, McDonald’s use a mix of above-the-line (ATL) and below-the-line (BTL) activities to create awareness and interest among customers. ATL methods include television advertising, while BTL approaches include conducting customer surveys, providing freebies on purchase, etc.