The maccas crowd ever closer

Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.

Aren’t all McDonalds stores 24 hours now?? And there will now be 3 stores within civic but downstairs in the canberra centre food court is more of a shopfront and obviously not 24 hours.

The big decision for the town drunks will be chicken gourmet, zambreros or Mcdonalds while waiting 3 hours for a taxi.

While its true that subway can be not much better for you, you’d be hard pushed to with many of the options to go as bad as you could at a maccas or hungry jacks (I’m thinking of the 8000Kj meal here). But yes, I am amused by people ordering meatballs and pizza subs, with double cheese and very little salad, then getting a coke and 2 cookies as well. Most people would look at a pizza sub and a turkey/ham sub and think thery are the same, when in fact they are miles apart in energy and fat intake.

I give maccas credit for offering relatively healthier alternatives, for those that want them. As a morning porridge person, I’m kind of pleased by the offer of porridge in the morning at maccas. Its not as healthy as the stuff i make at home, but miles better than a couple of mcmuffins.

Mysteryman said :

Well let’s sort a few things here, firstly, the best selling Subway is the BMT, which has the same fat and so on as a Big Mac and fries.
In fact most Subs quickly add up with trimmings, and then there’s the asian takeaways.

My point is putting a second store in a particular area doesn’t mean more people will eat junk, it simply attracts more foot traffic. The suggestion that another store will prompt people to eat unhealthy food, or is a result of people already eating it is simplistic. Customers could just as easily have been on their way to KFC or a loaded up Sub.

Funky1 said :

If this Maccas is going to be 24 hour, then obviously they’re after the late night/early morning inebriated binge-drinking crowd. In that state they don’t care what they eat.

I can’t believe it took until comment #6 to point this out.

Every other comment is irrelevant.

Spykler said :

farnarkler said :

I’ll stick to lunching at the Yum Yum Tree cafe in Bailey’s arcade thanks.

+1 ..its been a mainstay for decades and hopefully will remain so for many more..roast beef roll with gravy bursting out the sides-unbeatable!!.

Cos that’s not junk food!

I don’t see why it’s so surprising to have 2 (actually 3) maccas so close together. You only have to look at the Sydney CBD where there’s about 13 of them all within about 1km of each other. They all od a booming business. I wouldn’t be surprised to see another one open over in city west sometime in the near future.

While we’re on the subject, a new maccas is also proposed for the old Kippax Tavern at Holt. DA is on the ACTPLA website.

FustyMusty said :

As I recall, the discovery that Maccas burger patties were made of Soy, not beef, caused Weston Maccas to close. Hence the big chest beating “100% REAL Beef” ever since.

These days having patties made of soy would probably give you good environmental credentials

creative_canberran said :

Mysteryman said :

What are you talking about? Who suggested that it will get more people to eat junk? I certainly didn’t. READ what I posted. I said that I think it’s sad that we (Canberrans) eat enough Maccas to support 2 stores in close proximity. I didn’t say anything about increases, or market shares, or fat content, or anything else.

If it has nothing to do with fat content, market share or increases, then why does it matter if Maccas opens one, a dozen, or a hundred more stores?

I didn’t say it had nothing to do with those things, I said I didn’t mention them! C’mon, mate. Reading comprehension isn’t that difficult.

Mysteryman said :

Enough people are eating that garbage to justify 2 stores in such close proximity. How is that hard to understand?

It may be overthinking, but perhaps it is less that so many people are eating garbage but that Maccas are occupying the site to prevent another competitor from tapping into the existing customer base

That’s a good point. I’m sure they considered that.

farnarkler said :

I’ll stick to lunching at the Yum Yum Tree cafe in Bailey’s arcade thanks.

+1 ..its been a mainstay for decades and hopefully will remain so for many more..roast beef roll with gravy bursting out the sides-unbeatable!!.

I’ll stick to lunching at the Yum Yum Tree cafe in Bailey’s arcade thanks.

Mysteryman said :

What are you talking about? Who suggested that it will get more people to eat junk? I certainly didn’t. READ what I posted. I said that I think it’s sad that we (Canberrans) eat enough Maccas to support 2 stores in close proximity. I didn’t say anything about increases, or market shares, or fat content, or anything else.

If it has nothing to do with fat content, market share or increases, then why does it matter if Maccas opens one, a dozen, or a hundred more stores?

Coffee is linked to high blood pressure in large enough amounts. Are we also going to bash a certain local coffee chain who opened stores at both ends of Marcus Clarke Street? Or the fact there’s 4 coffee shops within 50m of each other in New Acton?

Rollersk8r said :

Little_Green_Bag said :

watto23 said :

hehe I remember when we had 2 maccas in canberra and is was a decent drive for people no living in Dickson or Weston creek!

Yes, and remember when Maccas in Weston went broke in 1974 and was boarded up, not reopening until 1980, well after Cooleman Court had been established.

That is bizarre! I was arguing with someone just a few weeks ago that Maccas Weston was never closed down, having grown up in Weston and worked there. But they didn’t mention it was that long ago. I’m willing to believe it was closed from ’74, seeing I wasn’t yet born.

My mum had a shop in Cooleman court when it first opened, & we’d have the odd Friday night late night shopping special treat of a Big Mac, As I recall, the discovery that Maccas burger patties were made of Soy, not beef, caused Weston Maccas to close. Hence the big chest beating “100% REAL Beef” ever since.

Mysteryman said :

Enough people are eating that garbage to justify 2 stores in such close proximity. How is that hard to understand?

It may be overthinking, but perhaps it is less that so many people are eating garbage but that Maccas are occupying the site to prevent another competitor from tapping into the existing customer base

creative_canberran said :

Mysteryman said :

creative_canberran said :

This should be a good thing actually. It will turn that corner into a high traffic area with hopefully staff who will report any troublemakers that may affect their business and passers by. At the moment, it’s a sterile corner with beggers and druggies.

Mysteryman said :

I think the fact that two McDonald’s in such close proximity can both turn a profit is a sad reflection of our eating habits.

Not sure how you figure that?
There’s an Ali Baba in North Quarter right across from the Garema Place store, maybe 200m.

And the point isn’t really market share in a particular area, it’s share of foot traffic.

Enough people are eating that garbage to justify 2 stores in such close proximity. How is that hard to understand?

Well let’s sort a few things here, firstly, the best selling Subway is the BMT, which has the same fat and so on as a Big Mac and fries.
In fact most Subs quickly add up with trimmings, and then there’s the asian takeaways.

My point is putting a second store in a particular area doesn’t mean more people will eat junk, it simply attracts more foot traffic. The suggestion that another store will prompt people to eat unhealthy food, or is a result of people already eating it is simplistic. Customers could just as easily have been on their way to KFC or a loaded up Sub.

What are you talking about? Who suggested that it will get more people to eat junk? I certainly didn’t. READ what I posted. I said that I think it’s sad that we (Canberrans) eat enough Maccas to support 2 stores in close proximity. I didn’t say anything about increases, or market shares, or fat content, or anything else.

Mysteryman said :

creative_canberran said :

This should be a good thing actually. It will turn that corner into a high traffic area with hopefully staff who will report any troublemakers that may affect their business and passers by. At the moment, it’s a sterile corner with beggers and druggies.

Mysteryman said :

I think the fact that two McDonald’s in such close proximity can both turn a profit is a sad reflection of our eating habits.

Not sure how you figure that?
There’s an Ali Baba in North Quarter right across from the Garema Place store, maybe 200m.

And the point isn’t really market share in a particular area, it’s share of foot traffic.

Enough people are eating that garbage to justify 2 stores in such close proximity. How is that hard to understand?

Well let’s sort a few things here, firstly, the best selling Subway is the BMT, which has the same fat and so on as a Big Mac and fries.
In fact most Subs quickly add up with trimmings, and then there’s the asian takeaways.

My point is putting a second store in a particular area doesn’t mean more people will eat junk, it simply attracts more foot traffic. The suggestion that another store will prompt people to eat unhealthy food, or is a result of people already eating it is simplistic. Customers could just as easily have been on their way to KFC or a loaded up Sub.

I rarely eat Maccas but I think it’s a great location for one. Will actually give the interchange a much needed lift.

Little_Green_Bag said :

watto23 said :

hehe I remember when we had 2 maccas in canberra and is was a decent drive for people no living in Dickson or Weston creek!

Yes, and remember when Maccas in Weston went broke in 1974 and was boarded up, not reopening until 1980, well after Cooleman Court had been established.

That is bizarre! I was arguing with someone just a few weeks ago that Maccas Weston was never closed down, having grown up in Weston and worked there. But they didn’t mention it was that long ago. I’m willing to believe it was closed from ’74, seeing I wasn’t yet born.

creative_canberran said :

This should be a good thing actually. It will turn that corner into a high traffic area with hopefully staff who will report any troublemakers that may affect their business and passers by. At the moment, it’s a sterile corner with beggers and druggies.

Mysteryman said :

I think the fact that two McDonald’s in such close proximity can both turn a profit is a sad reflection of our eating habits.

Not sure how you figure that?
There’s an Ali Baba in North Quarter right across from the Garema Place store, maybe 200m.

And the point isn’t really market share in a particular area, it’s share of foot traffic.

Enough people are eating that garbage to justify 2 stores in such close proximity. How is that hard to understand?

watto23 said :

hehe I remember when we had 2 maccas in canberra and is was a decent drive for people no living in Dickson or Weston creek!

Yes, and remember when Maccas in Weston went broke in 1974 and was boarded up, not reopening until 1980, well after Cooleman Court had been established.

hehe I remember when we had 2 maccas in canberra and is was a decent drive for people no living in Dickson or Weston creek!

Antagonist said :

Not sure if the Maccas is still downstairs in the Canberra Centre as well. If it is, then we actually have three different Maccas venues in under 1km of each other. It is great to see Canberra City doing its bit for the fine dining scene.

Which equals the three Ali Babas and until Borders closed, two Gloria Jeans.

This should be a good thing actually. It will turn that corner into a high traffic area with hopefully staff who will report any troublemakers that may affect their business and passers by. At the moment, it’s a sterile corner with beggers and druggies.

Mysteryman said :

I think the fact that two McDonald’s in such close proximity can both turn a profit is a sad reflection of our eating habits.

Not sure how you figure that?
There’s an Ali Baba in North Quarter right across from the Garema Place store, maybe 200m.

And the point isn’t really market share in a particular area, it’s share of foot traffic.

Oner should never mention the ‘Scottish restaurant’.

I’ll have a BigMacbeth with fries.

Not sure if the Maccas is still downstairs in the Canberra Centre as well. If it is, then we actually have three different Maccas venues in under 1km of each other. It is great to see Canberra City doing its bit for the fine dining scene.

I think the fact that two McDonald’s in such close proximity can both turn a profit is a sad reflection of our eating habits.

Funky1 said :

If this Maccas is going to be 24 hour, then obviously they’re after the late night/early morning inebriated binge-drinking crowd. In that state they don’t care what they eat.

Sunday-Wednesday most pubs aren’t open past midnight, so 24hrs isn’t for them. As someone who frequents maccas early in the morning, it seems to be mostly students, homeless, people who just get off buses and night shift workers

If this Maccas is going to be 24 hour, then obviously they’re after the late night/early morning inebriated binge-drinking crowd. In that state they don’t care what they eat.

chewy14 said :

Classified said :

I’ve found it interesting that so many people complain about maccas having bad food, too commercialised, whatever, and yet maccas is still in business and making money. Clearly a lot of people like maccas!

Oh but don’t you know that you can go to that red caravan by the lake, pay $15 and wait half an hour for a gourmet burger.

Half an hour? Do they have two cookers now? It was an hour minimum when I gave up going. I’m a fan, but we started making our own ‘Brodburgers’ at home and saved a lot of time.

Excellent, caramel sundays at lunch time 🙂

Classified said :

I’ve found it interesting that so many people complain about maccas having bad food, too commercialised, whatever, and yet maccas is still in business and making money. Clearly a lot of people like maccas!

Oh but don’t you know that you can go to that red caravan by the lake, pay $15 and wait half an hour for a gourmet burger.

maybe they want to get written up in the $10 and under lunch columns.

I’ve found it interesting that so many people complain about maccas having bad food, too commercialised, whatever, and yet maccas is still in business and making money. Clearly a lot of people like maccas!