Bloomberg: Fast-Food Chains Find Some Health Nuts Too Tough to Crack

Fast-food chains are spending millions to appear healthier to consumers by getting rid of preservatives and artificial ingredients. According to a recent Bloomberg article, these companies are learning fast that these changes don't affect regular customers very much, while it’s still not enough for health nuts to become new customers.

“It’s just a gimmick,” Eric Kelley, a Chicago resident and ideal new McDonald’s customer, said of offerings such as McDonald’s antibiotic-free buttermilk crispy chicken sandwich. “I still think it’s gross.”

While companies are only seeing small gains, brands are forging ahead with their healthier options and updates to menu items. McDonald’s Chief Executive Officer Steve Easterbrook said that two months after their clean-food announcement, Chicken McNugget sales increased by 10 percent. And by 2020, the brand pledges that all of its eggs will be from cage-free chickens. Easterbrook is thinking of the changes as long-term investments that will help change its image into “a modern, progressive burger company.”

Brands have also seen flops from newly introduced healthier menu items. Wendy’s and McDonald’s both tried to heavily push their salad offerings, initiatives that were not successful.

W. Douglas Evans, professor of prevention and community health at George Washington University, believes the issue is with those dining at fast-food chains. “Most of the people at McDonald’s aren’t there to get a salad,” Evans said. “It’s probably going to follow the same pattern.”

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