Where’s The Garlic In McDonald’s Chilli?
I was suppose to continue on the topic of Subject Titles for Email Marketing and my thoughts on Michael Netzley’s Digital Comms workshop, but I was missing McDonald’s garlic chilli so much, I needed to talk about it.
It’s been a few months now, and I’m still wondering why McDonald’s took away their garlic chilli sauce. What were they thinking????
Maybe it’s another one of those “rational” cost cutting measures during bad economic times, or perhaps some peculiar survey findings reflected a change in consumer taste. Whatever the reasons, did McDonald’s really do their homework diligently? Did they conduct focus groups, get feedback online prior to this, monitor reactions on forums and blogs? Or maybe McDonald’s simply felt that the cost savings from discontinuing their garlic chillies far outweighs the lost of business from patrons like myself.
How tragic. Many of us grew up with their garlic chilli. I personally eat it with everything- Burgers, fries, nuggets, even with KFC’s crispy chicken. I go to McDonald’s not because they’ve got the best burgers or fries in town. I go to McDonald’s because their garlic chilli taste great with everything. And no other fast food chain serves garlic chilli. So why take away a key differentiator?
I’m not reacting alone. Just Google search for “McDonald’s Singapore no garlic chilli” and see the reactions of like-minded Singaporean on forums. The community has spoken.
NO GARLIC CHILLI = NO MCDONALD’S.
To McDonald’s: If you’re listening, may I propose a possible solution for you?
If producing garlic chilli is severely eroding your bottom line (which I doubt it), consider charging a minimal amount, like $0.05 or $0.10 per packet. No doubt you will inevitably have to deal with some degree of public backlash when you charge for ancillaries, but at least you will be giving your consumers a CHOICE. It’s entirely up to them if they wish to pay for it. I speak for myself, and I will pay $0.05 or $0.10 per packet to fix that craving. I believe many of your hardcore garlic chilli loving fans will too.
So until you bring back garlic chilli, I’m NOT lovin’ it.
Tags: McDonald's garlic chilli
December 8th, 2008 at 6:00 am
Wow I’ve never heard of Garlic Chilli sauce being sold at McD’s. This would definitely appeal to me if they had it here. I like your idea and hope they bring it back!
December 8th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Garlic chilli has been with Singapore for many years. But if you go supermarket and find the “SINSIN” garlic chilli saurce, they said it was the same brand.
December 8th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I believe the McD Marketing team did a research and they just don’t want to lost the Vampire’s group of customer.
December 8th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
@Max: Yeah, it’s uniquely Singapore. Are you from New Zealand?
@ditotaku: I heard it’s from the same SIN SIN brand too. But the problem is it’s not helping people like myself who don’t eat McDonald’s at home. Some folks on forums suggested carrying a bottle on the go. It’ just not practical. Most people don’t plan a trip to McDonald’s. It’s spur of the moment, whenever. So my suggestion on paying for it is also paying for convenience.
@RamboFong: Very “funny” … Does McDonald’s have garlic chilli in KL? See you in a couple of days. Want anything from Singapore (except garlic chilli)?
December 14th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
It’s a different situation in Malaysia. Here, McDonald’s is not as popular as Pizza Hut or KFC.
February 16th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
!!! I love sinsin garlic chilli!!! but McDonald’s took it away from us!! now i totally change to tomato ketchup! The worse thing is, i went to all supermarket to look for my fav sinsin garlic chilli and it’s no where to be seen. To my horror, i saw maggi garlic chilli on the shelf and it tastes 99% similar to sinsin’s. Y they want2 let their competitor copy and took away their own =(( T.T… im going to write an email to complain to sinsin.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Hi Candy, I can sense your frustration from over here! Haha. Was not aware that SinSin garlic chilli is no longer available, looks like I’ve got some hunting to do this weekend. I won’t mind Maggi’s if it taste 99% like SinSin.