Choice
of An Organization
The selected organization for the following paper
is the world famous chain of fast food restaurants,
McDonalds, offering a wide variety of fast foods
for the current breed of equally fast paced new
generation and the elderly alike.
The Utility of the Products Offered By
McDonalds
One of the foremost and important utilities offered
by McDonalds is the range of fast food recipes
that have become a standard choice for the millions
of youngsters and elders alike across the globe.
Even in developing nations with a low emphasis
on western style of foods and recipes, such as
India and Russia, McDonalds has been truly effective
in capturing a sizeable market share of the fast
food industry. Perhaps the strongest factor to
attract the customers by the McDonald chain of
restaurants across the world is the maintenance
of unique taste offered, irrespective of the nation
and country where the McDonald offers its wide
range of fast foods. Second, it is also a known
fact that aside from the unique quality of the
foods offered, the maintenance and standard of
service too has been one of the hallmarks of the
immense success for the McDonald chain of restaurants
across the globe. Third, and perhaps the most
important factor is that of its prices. The range
of prices for the variety of fast food recipes
has been kept and maintained according the level
of the average income group in each country. Hence,
one need not be a millionaire to enjoy a small
brunch at McDonalds, wherever he or she is, and
in any corner of the world.
The Nearest Substitute of McDonalds
As of date, one of the strongest and closest substitutes
to both the variety and standard offered by McDonalds
is that Kentucky Fried Chicken, also commonly
known as KFC. KFC's success too has lead to an
equally sizeable market share, yet it has one
drawback, one that has a negligible affect while
in competition with McDonalds. This drawback is
that while McDonalds offers both beef and chicken
products as part of its wide range of delicacies,
KFC has limited its range to offer products made
from chicken only, thus catering to the lovers
of edibles made from chicken only.
As for the competitiveness in the pricing structure
of both McDonalds and KFCs, it may well be observed
that when ever McDonalds has a new and changed
recipe in the market, KFC is quite prompt and
quick in bringing a similarly priced product,
though the recipe may only include chicken. Perhaps
the strongest factor that links both these multinational
organizations is their emphasis on maintenance
of quality and standard of service that are more
or less of similar standard.
Elasticity or Inelasticity of Prices
A skeptical view of both the fast food chain of
restaurants reveals that both follow a similar
pattern of pricing, and even though products at
KFC are limited to products made from chicken,
both McDonalds and KFC can be observed to be engaged
in a price war that continues all the year around
with each new product introduced with an equally
new attraction and incentive. This is accomplished
through the vigorous and truly picturesque marketing
and advertising campaigns pursued by each of the
two fast food chain of restaurants.
While one organization introduces a new edible
and delicious recipe, the other is bound to respond
with its own new product, yet the pricing structure
of both the organizations are kept at a level
that makes the choice of the average consumers
truly difficult, hence maintenance of truly competitive
environment in all respect.
Issues Affecting Consumer Demand and
Pricing
Though there appears to be negligible evidence
of any issues on both demand and pricing of products
of both the organizations, yet there are instances
where one organization may lead the other in capturing
a larger share of the market share. These include
for example the issue of using beef products by
McDonalds, and chicken only by KFC. In each case
the primary issue that arose was that both the
organizations imported their raw materials, frozen
beef by McDonalds, and frozen chicken by KFC from
their parent organizations. However, as of current
strategies, both the organizations have changed
their strategies and instead are known to use
raw materials from within the country where they
have their outlets, provided the same is available
and meets the standards and quality as accepted
by the parent organization of each fast food restaurant.
Strategies to Enhance Revenues
One of the first measures that could be introduced
for enhancing the revenue in each of the organization
is to offer products at prices that meet the lower-income
group, rather than focus on the average middle
income group as evidenced in the present day practices
of each organization.
Second, though the name of each organization
is itself a mark of both quality and standard,
yet the same could be slightly altered to attract
a larger segment of the average population, who
perhaps likes to stay away from the otherwise
dominating western culture, including food.
The attire of the employees too could be slightly
altered and changed according to the local trends
and traditions of the respective country, which
is yet another attractive incentive to attract
those who prefer their own dresses and trends,
as compared to the western style dresses worn
by employees of both the organizations worn across
the globe.
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