Wednesday, May 05, 2004
McDonald's can't get a break
Less than a month ago, the CEO of McDonald's, the largest fast food chain, suddenly dropped dead from a heart attack. At the time the company seemed to escape the public relations problem that I predicted, given the cause of death and the nature of McDonald's business and all.
Now McDonald's new CEO, Charlie Bell, has had his colon resected on account of colorectal cancer. The press is reporting that he will recover quickly, which implies no metastasis. News accounts are also, this time, raising the connection between McDonald's products and the health of its senior officers, if in a backhand way:
Coming so soon after Cantalupo's death, the announcement of Bell's cancer might be seen as a setback for McDonald's image. Some health and nutrition experts say the company's food is unhealthy and claim its menu contributes to America's high levels of obesity.
But franchisees said making any such link with Bell's condition would be wrong.
"The health of McDonald's senior management has nothing to do with the McDonald's company and what it stands for," said Irwin Kruger, a McDonald's franchisee in Manhattan.
But is this really true? If Altria's CEO died of lung cancer, does anybody believe that the press would fail to feature such an ironic death prominently?
Now McDonald's new CEO, Charlie Bell, has had his colon resected on account of colorectal cancer. The press is reporting that he will recover quickly, which implies no metastasis. News accounts are also, this time, raising the connection between McDonald's products and the health of its senior officers, if in a backhand way:
Coming so soon after Cantalupo's death, the announcement of Bell's cancer might be seen as a setback for McDonald's image. Some health and nutrition experts say the company's food is unhealthy and claim its menu contributes to America's high levels of obesity.
But franchisees said making any such link with Bell's condition would be wrong.
"The health of McDonald's senior management has nothing to do with the McDonald's company and what it stands for," said Irwin Kruger, a McDonald's franchisee in Manhattan.
But is this really true? If Altria's CEO died of lung cancer, does anybody believe that the press would fail to feature such an ironic death prominently?
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