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NEWS > BUSINESS > MCDONALD’S FACING PROTESTS OVER UFC HAPPY MEALS
MCDONALD’S FACING PROTESTS OVER UFC HAPPY MEALS
April 26 2011
Rosedale, MD – One of the most compelling arguments against McDonald’s as a company is in fact the very thing that has helped make them into such a success. By utilizing a clown as their mascot, by dressing their restaurants in bright and happy 
colours, and by giving toys to children alongside their meals, the company has engaged generation after generation from before they are able to truly think for themselves and hooked them on their food. That in turn, alongside inexpensive meals and addictive sugars and fats in all their food, has created a populace addicted to their food, and a multi-billion dollar corporation.
If it were not for the deleterious health effects of their food, it’s likely there would be little criticism of the company. After all, many toy companies have thrived on nostalgia as new parents buy the same toys they enjoyed in their youth for their own children. All consumer companies are based on creating a need or desire for their product, and many of them start with children. McDonald’s is no exception to this, even if they are the most obvious masters in their particular realm. However, a hamburger are not Barbie dolls, and with increasing waistlines across the country the company has come under criticism for their efforts to hook young eaters. Now the company has angered critics once again, drawing protests in response to their efforts to introduce UFC fights to their many restaurants.
“This type of situation has gotten out of control. These efforts by the company have stepped over the line and they must be stopped, and if McDonald’s is unwilling to stop it themselves, then we as consumers must speak with our wallets and with our voices of protest,” said Marie Constanopolous, a D.C. based consumer advocate. “This 
situation is just one of many that have occurred throughout the country, and they have only happened at locations housing UFC rings and the related Happy Meals. We understand that this is an experiment, but this experiment has quite clearly failed.”
The incident Constanopolous was referring to was a recent scrap in a Maryland restaurant between and 18-year old Teonna Monae Brown and Chrissy Lee Polis, 22, who suffered a seizure following the attack.
“This type of action is totally unacceptable. These fights, which have been occurring all across the country, are merely the tip of the iceberg. If they are allowed to continue they will spiral out of control and eventually become a way of life for many young people, just as eating Big Macs has become,” continued Constanopolous. “McDonald’s has thrived on this type of stunt, this type of behaviour, but this particular series of incidents has gone beyond the pall. We are already creating a generation of obese children, the last thing we want is to raise a generation willing to bash each other’s faces in no matter how good the exercise might be.”
The company entered into a limited agreement with UFC late last year to introduce the sport at carious test restaurants. The company had no comment on whether or not the program would be rolled out nationwide.
“One can’t really criticize McDonald’s for doing what it feels is best for its bottom line. It is after all a business and its primary responsibility is to shareholders and employees. People make their own choices. Sure they may make bad ones, but that is not their responsibility,” said Scrape TV Business analyst Ken Green. “UFC is very popular right now, but that will fade unless they can engage younger viewers. It makes perfect sense for them, and for McDonald’s, well they have proven success with these types of cross-promotions in the past. I think for the good of the program however they need to take the fights outside. You still need to appeal to as wide an audience as possible and not alienate casual diners with blood and broken bones.”
One employee at the restaurant in question stated that great care was taken to ensure that blood was not mixed in with food supplies.
William Ashford, Business Correspondent
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