Honest Commercials for the Next Generation

McDonald’s advertising campaigns present a clean friendly atmosphere where both employees and customers are happy and satisfied.

People know when commercials are not honest, when they are exaggerating, when they are trying to make themselves look better than they are. Even still, people who know this will still go to McDonalds and won't expect what the commercial presents—a perfectly built sandwich, friendly staff, warm atmosphere. 

When I go to McDonalds, I expect to see disgruntled workers, get cheap food that comes out quickly and satiates me, sticky floors and tables. If one of the tables is clean I’ll be lucky.

Sometimes this is all I expect and I STILL go.

So why not lean into the truth? Why not be honest? Why try to convince me that McDonalds isn’t the way we all know it is.

An authentic portrayal of McDonalds, that’s what I think our generation craves in advertising and branding—an honest depiction of what you are serving.

Once this happens, when McDonalds is finally ready to be honest and real…they could become so much more than they are. They could become the epicenter of culture, a night café, live music, art clubs, book clubs.

McDonalds has the power, money, influence, and resources to metamorphize into something so beneficial for our society.

The menu can change and evolve based on what the locals want and have available. Local food/meat/produce can start to be incorporated. They could give managers agency over the store instead of the corporate stranglehold currently held over them now. 

What's the deal? McDonalds: Rebirth. Why won't they do it?

I wrote this in my notes app in May 2023, mostly with McDonalds ads in mind that played in my youth. Since then, a couple McDonalds commercials have come out that seem to be leaning the way I'd envisioned. A little more grounded, a little more realistic portrayal of their customers. A good direction I think! Maybe there are others thinking the same thing out there and shift is happening! Zeitgeist baby!

2024 (top) vs 2018 (below)