Haven't seen much effort from Popeye's (but at least they're leaving social engineering alone!).

Busted. I haven't eaten at Mickey D's in a decade or more. 

Oddly, I worked at a Taco Bell in college myself, and it's still my fast-food junk-food of choice. Haven't had that in years either though. 

Mitch, are you sure you've been in a McD's lately?  They've started serving salads, taking the fries out of Happy Meals, and generally cleaning up their act.  The fact I've not set foot in one for years should not detract from my admiration for their attempts to improve their offerings.  Of course, I worked in one of those places during college, and I can tell you their food is of reasonably high quality, and prepared with a modicum of care.  If forced, I could eat one of their plasti-burgers, and not worry too much about whether or not the ingredients would poison me outright.  I wouldn't try that at, say, my local Taco Bell (worked there, too, and I *know* what's in those beans).  It's easy to shoot at a large target, and let's face it, Mickey-Dees is one heck of a large target.  Now, if only we could get them to flame-broil their burgers, we'd be on a roll (Kaiser roll, maybe?).

Thanks for the clarification, Chris. That does help actually. Social media marketing won't help if the cost of cattle goes through the roof! Dear me.

Hi Mary, I wouldn't be harsh on McD's online marketing. The earnings were in line with analysts' expectation but revenues fell short due to the strength in the US Dollar relative to the other major currencies on their international franchises.  Going forward McD's may face inflationary pressures due to the draught and the rising cost of wheat, corn and cattle, which will squeeze profit margins.

Interestingly, and sadly, McD's successful efforts in online marketing aren't reflected in its latest financial results.

Because many aspects of the food production system might be criticized, it doesn't follow that everything is as bad as everything else.

There are all kinds of good reasons for picking on Ronald.

True. Also, McDonald's offers employee benefits, perhaps just as important to lower-paid or underskilled workers.

McDonald's is a source of bad nutrition, it's true, but that's true of our entire food production system so it's unfair to single McDonald's out. And they do provide career opportunities, often for people who might not have others.