I’M LOVIN’ IT. Review on McDonald's, Lonavala, Pune

McDonald is the leading global Fast Food service retailer with more than 30,000 restaurants serving millions of people in more than 100+ countries. Very naturally, McD is world's most famous, well-known, recognized brand in fast food restaurant category. They revolutionized the concept of fast food centre of the informal eating-place across the globe. As per their web site (s), out of 30,000+ restaurants, 15,000 are in North America only. Rest of the world is slowly developing the tastes that include our country.

Raymond Albert Kroc (1902-1984) is the founder of McDonalds. Ray Kroc first opened McDonald's Restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois on 15 April 1955. McDonald is a major franchising Company and 70% of McDonald's restaurants owned by franchisees. McD is celebrating its Golden Jubilee in 2005 and “The Des Plaines” building is now a museum containing memories of McD. Being die-hard admirers of McD food I like to see it once provided McD arrange the return fare and rest I will manage.

Why I am a die-hard admirer?

In some part of the globe, I could survive just because of McD restaurants.

Indian scenario-

McDonald has opened its first restaurant in India in 1996. In India, it is a Joint Venture with two Indian companies – one manages West Zone and the other one manages North Zone. Hard-castle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd headed by Mr. Amit Jatia’s operates McDonald's restaurants in Western India and Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt. Ltd headed by Mr. Vikram Bakshi operates in Northern India. Members of these two teams received extensive training by McD before opening their first restaurants. Wherever you go, you will find similar serving counter, cash counters, serving trays and most surprisingly very similar behavior by serving boys and girls.

McD restaurants are there in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Noida etc (written the names of the places I have personally visited) with Indian Innovative Vegetarian Varieties. Mumbai and Delhi must be having maximum number of outlets. That outlet in Bombay Central railways station is a big relief for the people who like to have fast food in good hygienic outlet.

McDonald's does not use beef or pork in India. Chicken, fish and vegetable are the main ingredients in Indian McD restaurants. In India they have introduced many vegetarian items which I could not see in other countries. However wait a while, all these vegetarian dishes will become the most sought after items everywhere – provided they feel like introducing veg items. Indian items are McVeggie burger, McAloo Tikki burger, Paneer Salsa Wrap, Veg Mc Curry Pan, Veg. Pizza McPuff. I have tested all these items and these items suit my test and are just fantastic. Of course, French Fries are my most favorite one. There are 5-6 delicious non-veg items for people like me.

In other parts of the world, they use beef and they must be avoiding pork in Muslim dominated countries. If you are sensitive about these ingredients, it is better to be careful outside India.

You can get few non-alcoholic drinks also like iced tea, Milks shakes, different types of Coffees and softies too.

McD restaurants are HACCP certified and approved by third party like ISO 9000. Full form of HACCP is Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. HACCP is program that ensures safety of food for human being. All suppliers of McDonald also have similar certification from Third Party like BVQI (for example). HACCP is applicable for Human Feed not for Animal feed - careful and take care of your pet (LOL….).

(Most probably, there will be one more STD, ISO 22000 from December 2005, which seems to be more stringent and applicable for Animal Feed also. Right now, there seems to be no such STD for animal feed.)

51% of the MS members do not recommend McD. I also like Indian fast food like idle, Vada, Samosa, and Dosa etc but there is no harm in going to McD once in a while. So friends it is a safe place for the families if you are not worried about calories. Of course, calories in Indian fast food with coconut chutney cannot be less if not more.

So, let both Indian Fast Food Centers and McD co-exit so that we have more options.

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Enjoy

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