McDonalds = Starbucks for Kids
October 19th, 2005 | by amarfresh |This is the beginning of a new type of McDonald’s Playland/Playplace
Starbucks has found a way to keep people in their “cafes” with WiFi. McDonald’s and Nintendo may have figured out how to do the same for kids. In a recent announcement, Nintendo says that its DS users will be able to use WiFi for free at over 6000 McDonald’s restaurants.
“This is such an interesting direction for McDonald’s,” said Anita Frazier, an entertainment industry analyst with the NPD Group, a research firm. “This could encourage kids to go to McDonald’s to play games. It is like the kids’ version of Starbucks’ wireless hot spots.” As with the toys that have long been packaged with McDonald’s food, the relationship will help draw customers to the restaurants, she said.
During a trip to Russia last year a newish McDonald’s with a massive playground was teeming with people. Not only because Russian’s, like American’s are suckers for bad fast food; but the playground was far superior to any other around. Kids (and as a result, parents) are drawn to Mickey D’s like a moth to a flame. Sort of like a corporate “build it and they will come (and eat)” scam. No doubt that is the reason McDonald’s has built playgrounds anywhere. Now that kids play less at playgrounds, offering free WiFi for gaming represents McDonald’s Playland 2.0.