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(Image source: Business Insider / Kim Bhasin)
BY COLLIN RUANE
McDonald's is planning to make some major changes to its menu by adding new healthy
options to its menu in the next few years.
It's an effort between McDonald's and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. There'll
be healthier sides that replace French fries. (Via WEWS)
Nearly one fifth of all American adults and children are considered obese by the CDC.
Side salads, fruits and vegetables are going to be rolled out at McDonald's locations over
the next few years. (Via WOAI)
NPR reports the chain — which announced the changes Thursday — will now only advertise
milk, water and juice for its Happy Meals.
It will still sell sodas, but McDonald's hopes less advertising for them means an increase
in ordering of those healthier options.
And the hope is that sales for healthier sides will increase. The company's CEO says past
efforts to make ads for milk more attractive led to an increase in milk sales by more than
50 percent in the mid-2000s. (Via KSTP)
But money is still the bottom line, right? While improving customers' health is important,
CBS suggests McDonald's slow sales might be another motivating factor.
"... with negative growth in the first six months of the year in Europe and Asia, and
only weak growth in the U.S. ... Giving more health-conscious consumers different menu
options could help lift revenue."
The New York Times reports the new move by McDonald's is expected to cost about $35 million,
but it's a price the company is willing to pay.
Saying sales for McD's among millennials are low as the group heads to chains like Panera.
The company hopes this move will change that.
McDonald's already offers some healthier sides like 15-calorie apple slices, but will be
adding more as part of this program, and again will target adults. McDonald's plans to have
the new menu items fully implemented in its 20 largest markets by 2020.