[immewaycypef]

So does this mean that McDonalds is going to do away with Ronald, the Hamburgler, and the other kid oriented characters in its ads?

I have an idea. Lets commisson a larger study, encompassing every kid entering Kindergarden. After doing a food preferrence study similar to the one outlined in the OP, allow the kiddies to have McDonalds goodies, but flavored with bitter grapefruit extract. Wait a few days and repeat the food preferrence study again. Repeat the cycle until preferrence for McDonalds drops to negative numbers. Repeat the study yearly until the problem vanishes.

[PemiaGefe]

I wouldn't touch McDonalds with 10 foot pole. I never liked their food.

[bactrimtab]

Double quarter pounder with cheez

[lesso73]

This is why the Youth will remain oppressed... sorry Ozzy

The study suggests that, like adults, young children are highly influenced by branding, experts say. Many advertising strategies used are utterly reprehensible.

And the content of this article should come as no surprise. Children crave familiarity in food. Because in the wild there are many poisonousness foods, and trial and error is not a good way for fledglings to learn which are good to eat and which kill you. Thus children (especially) prefer food which is "known to be good" - which would include being in a recognizable package.

It's a pity more people don't understand this concept.

[EspanaCamsInfo]

By the way, I certainly prefer mcdonalds to (random fast food chain i've never eaten at). McDonalds serve a fairly consistent product, that is acceptable to me in quality in most places. They don't burn the hamburgers, and their fries are usually acceptable (and I can usually go back and ask for new ones if they give me cold fries).

I'm not saying they're good food, but they're a pretty safe choice when it comes to fast food. That's the point of the franchise system - deliver a consistent product across the board, and people feel like they know what they're going to get when they walk under the golden arches. They do it far better than most franchises...