McDonald's to drop Super Size fries

[Sandal16]

March 03, 2004 - Hold the fries - at least the super-sized version.

CHICAGO -

In a sign of the times, McDonald's is getting rid of the extra-large portions that had become one of its signatures. The burger giant said it has begun phasing out Supersize fries and drinks in its more than 13,000 U.S. restaurants and will stop selling them altogether by year's end, except in promotions.

The company cited the need to trim a menu that has expanded in recent years and said eliminating super-sizing is only part of that effort.

"The driving force here was menu simplification," spokesman Walt Riker said after McDonald's disclosed the change in strategy in a brief statement late Tuesday. "The fact of the matter is not very many Supersize fries are sold."

But the downsizing of super-sizing comes with fast-food companies, especially industry behemoth McDonald's, under intense pressure to cater to Americans' growing preference for healthier food options.

The move is part of McDonald's "Eat Smart, Be Active" initiative, which it launched last year under first-year CEO Jim Cantalupo and U.S. operations chief Mike Roberts in an attempt to revive then-stagnant U.S. sales.

McDonald's added entree salads with great success last year and has been moving to provide more fruit, vegetable and yogurt options with its Happy Meals. But the Oak Brook, Ill.-based company remains a lightning rod for public criticism - and legal action - when it comes to obesity and other health worries.

Two lawsuits claiming McDonald's hid the health risks of eating Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets were thrown out in federal court in New York last year. An award-winning documentary called "Super Size Me" then reaped more unwanted publicity for McDonald's. The documentary, which chronicles the deterioration of filmmaker Morgan Spurlock's health during a monthlong experiment eating nothing but McDonald's food, won a directing prize at the Sundance Film Festival (news - web sites) and is set for wide release this spring.

Riker said the phasing out of super-sizing has "nothing to do with that (film) whatsoever."

Supersize fries are a 7-ounce carton - the largest of five current sizes of McDonald's fries. McDonald's will still sell "large" fries, the 6-ounce size, Riker said. The company did not immediately disclose other details of the menu changes, which have been quietly under way since January.

Some customers had a mixed reaction to the news. Jamie Cox, 19, dining at a McDonald's in downtown Chicago with his girlfriend Tuesday night, said he normally super-sizes his meal but usually throws out leftover fries. "It's a waste," he acknowledged. "Once they get cold, they're nasty. But we would die without the (Supersize) drink."

Another Chicago patron who likes Supersize, 21-year-old Ward Stare, said he could do without the extra-large portions.

"When you think about it, there's not much of a difference between the large and Supersize," he said. "You just pay more. ... I don't think I would miss it that much as long as you still get a good proportion of food."

[AndersonGal]

I just think it's sad that people can not regulate themselves.
What next? You will not be allowed to order dessert if your overweight?
Will government step in and say you have to eat this and/or may not eat that?

I myself like the Super Sized *DIET* pop. Now what the heck is so bad about that?

[FUNdamental]

Originally Posted by AndersonGal

I just think it's sad that people can not regulate themselves.
What next? You will not be allowed to order dessert if your overweight?
Will government step in and say you have to eat this and/or may not eat that?

I myself like the Super Sized *DIET* pop. Now what the heck is so bad about that?

Yes, adults should be able to regulate themselves but should we put those same standards and responsibilities on pre- and early teens? And should we ignore budding habits that lead to health problems a few years later?

Are you aware it takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to notify your brain that you are no longer hungry? So when you eat a super size meal, you are nourished long before you actually know it, and this lag is what compels us to feel a super sized meal is what we need to satisfy our hunger. The fact of the matter is thirty years ago when I was a kid the size of the portions on a McDonalds' menu were minuscule compared with today's portions size, and when the factor of Super sizing french fries (potatoes, sugar, oil and salt), and carbonated drinks ( water, sugar etc.)are added, we have a potentially dangerous health situation.

If I look around my office, those who are overweight, and these are well educated people, have one very clear thing in common, they all eat lunch out almost every day, many times at fast food restaurants. Those who are slimmer for the most part bring in their lunches. I believe this common denominator is true for most offices. McDonald's went with super sizing to increase profits (the cost for buying and producing the added product is much less than the additional money you pay at the counter), so this move is not financially motivated. Ergo, this move is gutsy and right.

Since human nature, and our Mothers, tell us to "Clean you plate," super sizing a meal has us bringing in more fats, calories, and carbohydrates than our body's need or desire, and we don't know it until after the meal is mostly consumed. If I can recommend a great book on the subject of society and fast food, please read Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. After you read it you will understand why there really is a health crises in this country, and fast food and super sizing are major contributors to the problem. It is great we are starting to move in the right direction with this McDonald's decision.

[freesurfer]

Fries were the best at McD's!!!

[Juliannaluv]

Since I have lost weight, i do not eat the fries at McDonalds anymore. When I go in there it is for a salad and I eat it with about 1/4 to 1/2 packet of dressing. Fries don't even taste good anymore.

[Jennifer M.]

Like getting rid of the super sized fries will help, all they will have to do is order 2 large ones...LOL

[FUNdamental]

Originally Posted by Jennifer M.

Like getting rid of the super sized fries will help, all they will have to do is order 2 large ones...LOL

Actually, economics display your hypothesis unlikely with most consumer purchases.

Say you are asked to spend 60 cents to Super size your meal, can you say "sure" to that question and not feel bad about your decision? Yes, you can. Now, say you are asked to buy a second set of fries at list price of $2.50? Would you or most people take McDonalds up on this offer? The answer now would be "no" in most cases.

[AndersonGal]

I have known about nutrition and such since I was a pre teen. Why does everyone think teenagers are stupid when it comes to nutrition or anything else? And why shouldnt parents of young children be responsible for raising their children with good eating habits?

So long Free Will!

[FUNdamental]

Originally Posted by AndersonGal

I have known about nutrition and such since I was a pre teen. Why does everyone think teenagers are stupid when it comes to nutrition or anything else? And why shouldnt parents of young children be responsible for raising their children with good eating habits?

So long Free Will!

Because they usually are stupid when it comes to a lot of things in life. Look at the amount of speeding tickets teenagers get, and compare that number to the number those between 35-43 years old get. Look in emergency rooms and see how many teenagers are in for skateboarding or other types of stupid accidents (Usually involving cement steps or railings). Look up the origin of the word “sophomore” in the dictionary and see what it says about our 14 and 15 year olds. I can go on, but I wont.


When you were a teenager, you were able to walk into a McDonalds, and order a Big Mac, small fries, and a small drink. OK, this regular meal you then ordered as a teenager was a fraction of the size of the same meal on the menu today-BOFORE super sizing it!


Way to go McDonalds, a great first step!

[Jennifer M.]

Originally Posted by FUNdamental

Actually, economics display your hypothesis unlikely with most consumer purchases.

Say you are asked to spend 60 cents to Super size your meal, can you say "sure" to that question and not feel bad about your decision? Yes, you can. Now, say you are asked to buy a second set of fries at list price of $2.50? Would you or most people take McDonalds up on this offer? The answer now would be "no" in most cases.

If people are hungry enough for McD's fries, they will pay! It will probably end up on their 2 for $1 menu! LOL

[pandybat]

Anything that promotes healthier eating has got to be a great step in the right direction. No one NEEDS to eat a super-sized meal of any kind.

[eldo]

Originally Posted by AndersonGal

I myself like the Super Sized *DIET* pop. Now what the heck is so bad about that?

I'll tell you what's so bad about that....it's SODA, not pop

[mrbowler]

I think this is a great idea for Mcdonald's-maybe this action and future announcements down the road will allow it's patron's to live longer, and in turn allow Mcdonald's to actually make more money over the lifetime of each patron, and that's what it's all about if your a company like Mcdonald's-they are afraid that the government might step in and regulate them or worse a flood of lawsuits that they have to defend(sort of like tobacco companies). This could be the next wave of Lawyers making $$

[freesurfer]

I agree, nutrition comes from the examples of the parents not from a fast food chain.

[luvmetender]

Originally Posted by Sandal16

An award-winning documentary called "Super Size Me" then reaped more unwanted publicity for McDonald's. The documentary, which chronicles the deterioration of filmmaker Morgan Spurlock's health during a monthlong experiment eating nothing but McDonald's food, won a directing prize at the Sundance Film Festival (news - web sites) and is set for wide release this spring.

Has anyone seen this movie? It is coming to our local theater next weekend and I think I want to see it unless it is totally gross, LOL.