Japan is McLovin' the "No-Brand" 1/4 Pounder
No golden arches, no clowns or brightly coloured, indigestible fry guys McDonald’s Japan has decided to go black, red and cool with their limited menu pilot stores.
Well when you thought the big corporates are bland and boring, it’s nice to see a family oriented franchise do something a little unconventional.
Will this minimalist Boy’sco concept work? I hope so! Hoping that they will start opening up stores in Vancouver just like this. We do have a booming young Japanese population looking for a taste of home!
“McDonalds Japan is testing the waters of no-brand marketing with newly opened Quarter Pounder stores in Tokyo.
Generic packaging, minimalist decor, a two-item menu – and not a clown in sight! That goes for the website as well. McDonalds Japan’s dip into no-brand marketing comes as quite a shock to those who see the global burger master as the poster child for brand name advertising.
Word is, curious customers are lining up to get into Quarter Pounder’s stark black & red shops. When they finally squeeze through the door, menu choices can be arrived at by a coin flip: a Quarter Pounder with Cheese Set for 500 yen (about $5.15) or a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese Set that goes for 600 yen (about $6.20). It’s been noted by some that McDonalds burgers are smaller in Japan, so take that into account before judging whether either set is a good deal.
That’s it! No shakes, no pies, no super-sizing, no Happy Meals. Not even a cheery “fries with that?” since they come included with each set.”
Will McDonald’s Quarter Pounder concept work? And, how long before trend-savvy Tokyoites realize that beneath the shiny new wrapper is the same old burger?