Have you noticed a lack of McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) jokes lately? In fact, as the company continues to claw its way out of the fry vat, the only one clowning around with McDonald's is Ronald.
Fresh-minded CEO Jim Cantalupo is winning back cynics. The press that so recently trashed the company for its fatty foods and too-hot coffee has suddenly warmed, praising the new line of premium salads and high-margin menu additions like its McGriddles breakfast sandwiches.
But why is the mainstream media so smitten with testimonials from grownups? Will no one view June's 7% spike in same-store sales from a kid's perspective? Sure, those new salads are tasty and you've got to hand it to the driver-friendly genius that made the hotcake an entrée to be eaten with a single free hand, but let's face it: It's the backseat toddler crying for a Happy Meal fix that gets you in the door.
The burgers aren't any tastier. The Chicken McNuggets are still made from unidentifiable chicken parts. But last month the company doled out toy premiums based on Pixar's (NASDAQ:PIXR) blockbuster Finding Nemo. Back when McDonald's first teamed up with Disney (NYSE:DIS), this was the dream. Animated classics would roll out, and folks would flock to McDonald's to complete their set of toy premiums.
With Finding Nemo a few weekends away from becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time, it's easy to see why kids wanted to make return trips to Mickey D's last month. (Come to think of it, it's easy to see why David Gardner made Pixar a top pick in Motley Fool Stock Advisor.) Paul Newman-dressed field greens factored little in the decision.
July should bring even more steady traffic as McDonald's teams up with Sega to place electronic games in Happy Meals. Check out most any McDonald's and you'll see kids playing with their food, literally. Don't expect much from the low-tech gadgetry attached to a $1.99 burger meal, but the games do have some replay value.
McDonald's means business, even if it's playing around to get it.
Have you checked out the latest line of electronic toy premiums at McDonald's? Isn't that auto racing game the coolest? Is the company really turning itself around or is this just a temporary blip after so many months of same-store-sales declines? All this and more -- in the McDonald's discussion board . Only on Fool.com.
