You want fries with that iPod?
We have two examples of how technology is being used to slow down fast food in the hopes it will bring more people into these restaurants and keep them there a bit longer. In both cases, music plays a large role in making these environments more appealing.
McDonald’s is offering tunes for download and Kentucky Fried Chicken has a free digital jukebox that offers music based on location—R&B in urban locations and Top 40 in suburban stores. Disclaimer: Kentucky Fried Chicken is a client of my employer.
Starbucks is playing out a similar strategy. And, similar to my Starbucks post, I will wonder aloud if Ronald McDonald or Colonel Sanders will be sporting white ear buds anytime soon.
Side note: Chris Pirillo sees a much more interesting connection between fast food and high technology.
You forgot all the beer companies offering free download contests: Budweiser and Coors spring to mind first, and I noticed the non-stop advertisements during the NBA playoffs.
Posted by: Jeremy Pepper | Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at 05:20 PM
One sad thing you forgot to mention. None of these promotions will work on the iPod because they aren't MP3 or AAC files.
Doh!
Posted by: Ben | Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at 08:41 PM
Music doesn't make MacDonald more appealing to me or the price of coffee at Starbuck less insufferable. I wish others saw it like I do and just boycotted these places! You know what they say, "Friends don't let friends go to Donald's".
Cordially,
Anne Laszlo-Howard
Rushprnews, press release services and distribution
Posted by: Anne Laszlo-Howard | Wednesday, November 02, 2005 at 01:08 PM