Latest news with #FrancescaCardarelli
Malaysian Reserve
06-05-2025
- General
- Malaysian Reserve
Join Us for McHappy Day® This Thursday, May 8: Every Order Counts
All day, your favourite McDonald's order supports families with sick or injured children across Canada TORONTO, May 6, 2025 /CNW/ – This Thursday your McDonald's order can be more than just a tasty bite; it can also provide essential support for Ronald McDonald House Charities® Canada (RMHC®) and other local children's charities across Canada. On May 8, McDonald's Canada and its independent franchisees will once again rally communities for McHappy Day®. By participating, you can be a part of supporting families across Canada with sick or injured children. Throughout the day, a portion of all food and beverage sales will directly benefit RMHC and other local children's charities, making it deliciously easy to do good. 'McHappy Day is more than fundraising. It's a celebration of community and an opportunity to support our neighbours,' said Marcia Finlayson, McDonald's Canada Franchisee, Markham, Stouffville and Richmond Hill. 'Every order, whether it's a tasty Big Mac or a cup of McCafé Premium Roast Coffee, helps make an impact for families right here in our own community.' Here's how you can join the celebration and support McHappy Day: Order Your Favourites: Visit any McDonald's restaurant, use the Drive-Thru or place an order through the McDonald's app. Know your food and beverage purchases count towards bringing hope to families. Visit any McDonald's restaurant, use the Drive-Thru or place an order through the McDonald's app. Know your food and beverage purchases count towards bringing hope to families. Easy McDelivery ® : Enjoy a $0 delivery fee* on all McDelivery orders through the McDonald's app, DoorDash, SKIP, and UberEats. A delicious way to give back from the comfort of your home. Enjoy a delivery fee* on all McDelivery orders through the McDonald's app, DoorDash, SKIP, and UberEats. A delicious way to give back from the comfort of your home. Round Up for Good: Round Up your order total to the nearest dollar at the Drive-Thru, Kiosk, or Front Counter and donate the difference to RMHC Round Up your order total to the nearest dollar at the Drive-Thru, Kiosk, or Front Counter and donate the difference to RMHC Purchase McHappy Day Socks or Hearts: Show your support by buying this year's McHappy Day socks in 4 different designs, or paper hearts by donating either $2 , $5 , or $10 either in-restaurant, at the Drive-Thru or through the McDonald's app. 'Getting involved in McHappy Day is as easy as it is delicious—every bite you take brings support and hope to families with sick or injured children,' said Francesca Cardarelli, Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald's Canada. 'Feeding and fostering our communities is at the heart of who we are. Beyond McHappy Day, McDonald's Canada and our independent franchisees and guests help support families receiving support from RMHC every single day, by purchasing Happy Meals and RMHC Cookies, as well as through coin box and kiosk donations.' Be A Part of RMHC's Story Over the past 30 years, an incredible $100M+ has been raised through McHappy Day in support of children and families in local communities across Canada. These funds have been critical in helping RMHC support nearly half a million families with sick or injured children to date, ensuring families can stay close to their child receiving critical medical treatment. Despite this incredible outpouring of support from the community, the demand for RMHC's vital programs is on the rise. Today, RMHC is unable to support up to 4 out of 5 families who need the Ronald McDonald House program due to lack of space or no available location. By participating in McHappy Day, you empower RMHC to extend its reach to even more families in need of support. So, bring your appetite, Canada, and head to your nearest McDonald's restaurant on May 8 for an unmissable day to do good. *Other delivery-related fees and taxes still apply; small order fee may apply. Limit one redemption per user. See the applicable app for details. About McDonald's Canada In 1967, Canada welcomed the first McDonald's restaurant to Richmond, British Columbia. Today, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited has become part of the Canadian fabric, with McDonald's restaurants serving nearly two million guests every day and employing almost 100,000 people across Canada. More than 90 per cent of McDonald's 1,450 Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent franchisees, with the remaining restaurants corporately owned and operated by McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited. Of the almost $2 billion spent on food and paper by McDonald's restaurants, over 80 per cent is purchased from suppliers in Canada. For more information on McDonald's Canada, visit About Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) Canada In Canada, two out of three families live outside a city with a children's hospital and must travel for treatment if their child is seriously ill or injured. The impact of RMHC across Canada is far reaching as today, 1 in 4 Canadians have either stayed with RMHC or know someone who has. More than a place to stay, RMHC program locations across Canada give families the support and resources they need so they can focus on what matters most – caring for their child. The 16 Ronald McDonald House® programs provide out-of-town families with holistic support and services such as meal, mental health and wellness programming, while the 19 Ronald McDonald Family Room® programs provide a comfortable place for families to rest, recharge and fuel without having to leave the hospital. For more information, please visit SOURCE McDonald's Canada
Cision Canada
06-05-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Join Us for McHappy Day® This Thursday, May 8: Every Order Counts Français
On May 8, McDonald's Canada and its independent franchisees will once again rally communities for McHappy Day ®. By participating, you can be a part of supporting families across Canada with sick or injured children. Throughout the day, a portion of all food and beverage sales will directly benefit RMHC and other local children's charities, making it deliciously easy to do good. "McHappy Day is more than fundraising. It's a celebration of community and an opportunity to support our neighbours," said Marcia Finlayson, McDonald's Canada Franchisee, Markham, Stouffville and Richmond Hill. "Every order, whether it's a tasty Big Mac or a cup of McCafé Premium Roast Coffee, helps make an impact for families right here in our own community." Here's how you can join the celebration and support McHappy Day: Order Your Favourites: Visit any McDonald's restaurant, use the Drive-Thru or place an order through the McDonald's app. Know your food and beverage purchases count towards bringing hope to families. Easy McDelivery ®: Enjoy a $0 delivery fee* on all McDelivery orders through the McDonald's app, DoorDash, SKIP, and UberEats. A delicious way to give back from the comfort of your home. Round Up for Good: Round Up your order total to the nearest dollar at the Drive-Thru, Kiosk, or Front Counter and donate the difference to RMHC Purchase McHappy Day Socks or Hearts: Show your support by buying this year's McHappy Day socks in 4 different designs, or paper hearts by donating either $2, $5, or $10 either in-restaurant, at the Drive-Thru or through the McDonald's app. "Getting involved in McHappy Day is as easy as it is delicious—every bite you take brings support and hope to families with sick or injured children," said Francesca Cardarelli, Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald's Canada. "Feeding and fostering our communities is at the heart of who we are. Beyond McHappy Day, McDonald's Canada and our independent franchisees and guests help support families receiving support from RMHC every single day, by purchasing Happy Meals and RMHC Cookies, as well as through coin box and kiosk donations." Be A Part of RMHC's Story Over the past 30 years, an incredible $100M+ has been raised through McHappy Day in support of children and families in local communities across Canada. These funds have been critical in helping RMHC support nearly half a million families with sick or injured children to date, ensuring families can stay close to their child receiving critical medical treatment. Despite this incredible outpouring of support from the community, the demand for RMHC's vital programs is on the rise. Today, RMHC is unable to support up to 4 out of 5 families who need the Ronald McDonald House program due to lack of space or no available location. By participating in McHappy Day, you empower RMHC to extend its reach to even more families in need of support. So, bring your appetite, Canada, and head to your nearest McDonald's restaurant on May 8 for an unmissable day to do good. *Other delivery-related fees and taxes still apply; small order fee may apply. Limit one redemption per user. See the applicable app for details. About McDonald's Canada In 1967, Canada welcomed the first McDonald's restaurant to Richmond, British Columbia. Today, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited has become part of the Canadian fabric, with McDonald's restaurants serving nearly two million guests every day and employing almost 100,000 people across Canada. More than 90 per cent of McDonald's 1,450 Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent franchisees, with the remaining restaurants corporately owned and operated by McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited. Of the almost $2 billion spent on food and paper by McDonald's restaurants, over 80 per cent is purchased from suppliers in Canada. For more information on McDonald's Canada, visit About Ronald McDonald House Charities ® (RMHC ®) Canada In Canada, two out of three families live outside a city with a children's hospital and must travel for treatment if their child is seriously ill or injured. The impact of RMHC across Canada is far reaching as today, 1 in 4 Canadians have either stayed with RMHC or know someone who has. More than a place to stay, RMHC program locations across Canada give families the support and resources they need so they can focus on what matters most – caring for their child. The 16 Ronald McDonald House ® programs provide out-of-town families with holistic support and services such as meal, mental health and wellness programming, while the 19 Ronald McDonald Family Room ®
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Forget the McPlant: McDonald's Menu Tries New Meatless Burger
McDonald's is once again experimenting with its meatless menu options, this time focusing on a new vegetarian offering called the McVeggie. Following previous plant-based trials featuring the P.L.T. (Plant, Lettuce, Tomato) Burger and the McPlant, the fast-food giant is introducing this new option in select locations across Canada as consumer demand for vegetarian alternatives continues to grow. But will the McVeggie succeed where the P.L.T. Burger and the McPlant struggled? McDonald's Canada is spicing up its menu with the McVeggie, a meatless burger featuring a crispy, breaded veggie patty crafted from a blend of carrots, green beans, zucchini, peas, soybeans, broccoli, and corn. Seasoned to perfection, the patty is topped with shredded lettuce and a creamy mayo-style sauce, all nestled in a toasted sesame bun. For those craving a bolder kick, select test locations are also serving the Spicy Habanero McVeggie, which swaps the classic sauce for a fiery, creamy habanero alternative. Francesca Cardarelli, McDonald's Canada Chief Marketing Officer, highlighted the company's commitment to innovation, stating, 'Our goal is to continue to offer new and exciting choices to meet these needs. And the McVeggie does just that.' According to Nation's Restaurant News, the McVeggie is available for a limited time at select McDonald's Canada locations across British Columbia, Ontario, and New Brunswick. The test run will continue through April 14th, giving customers a chance to try this new plant-based offering. McDonald's Canada tried its hand at a meatless option before, launching the PLT (plant, lettuce, tomato) burger with a plant-based Beyond Meat patty in September 2019. That trial was expanded in January 2020 before ending in June 2020. A year later, McDonald's started testing the McPlant. Also co-developed with Beyond Meat, the McPlant features a patty made from plant-based ingredients like peas, rice, and potatoes. While the patty itself is meatless, it is cooked on the same grill used for meat products and eggs. The patty is served on a sesame seed bun with tomato, lettuce, pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard, as well as non-plant-based ingredients such as American cheese and mayonnaise. But as always, guests can customize and request to hold the cheese and mayonnaise for a healthier version. The restaurant chain also tested the McPlant burger in several European markets, including Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Austria. In September 2021, a fully vegan version of the McPlant, complete with plant-based cheese and a plant-based sauce, was introduced in the U.K. and Ireland. In the same year, the McPlant was also tested in select U.S. markets for a limited time, but that trial ended due to lack of demand. At last year's Wall Street Journal's Global Food Forum, McDonald's U.S. president Joe Erlinger said, 'I don't think the U.S. consumer is coming to McDonald's looking for the McPlant or other plant-based proteins.' Despite not having a nationwide rollout in the U.S., the McPlant remains available in some European markets. 'While our guests may have tried similar sandwiches at McDonald's globally, our McVeggie is uniquely Canadian,' senior manager of culinary innovation Jeff Anderson said in a statement. 'We're always looking for new opportunities to innovate and build on our menu, and the McVeggie will give even more guests the opportunity to enjoy that delicious McDonald's flavor Canadians know and love.' It's hard to say for sure, but the McVeggie has a few advantages that could improve its chances of success compared to the P.L.T. (Plant, Lettuce, Tomato) Burger and the McPlant. Unlike its predecessors, which featured Beyond Meat patties designed to mimic beef, the McVeggie takes a different approach with a breaded vegetable patty made from real vegetables like carrots, green beans, and zucchini. This could appeal more to customers looking for a true veggie burger rather than a plant-based meat substitute. Another factor in the McVeggie's favor is the introduction of a Spicy Habanero McVeggie, giving customers a bolder, more flavorful option. The P.L.T. and McPlant did not offer much variety beyond their standard versions, so this added choice could attract those who enjoy a bit of spice in their meals. Additionally, market trends may work in favor of the McVeggie. The demand for vegetarian and flexitarian options continues to grow, and consumers today may be more open to veggie-based burgers than they were when McDonald's previously tested the P.L.T. and McPlant. However, challenges remain. The P.L.T. and McPlant struggled due to pricing, supply chain limitations, and consumer hesitation, and the McVeggie could face similar hurdles. Its success will ultimately depend on taste, pricing, and how well McDonald's markets it to Canadian customers. Read the original article on GEEKSPIN. Affiliate links on GEEKSPIN may earn us and our partners a commission.
CBC
18-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
McDonald's Canada testing a vegetable-based burger — again
McDonald's Canada is trying its hand at a vegetable-based burger — again. The fast-food chain announced Tuesday that it will test its new McVeggie at some restaurants in Langley, Richmond and Surrey, B.C., as well as Brampton and Windsor, Ont., and Dieppe, Moncton, Riverview and Sussex, N.B., until April 14. The sandwich, which will come in regular and spicy habanero varieties, has a breaded patty made of carrots, green beans, zucchini, peas, soybeans, broccoli and corn. It comes on a toasted sesame bun and is topped with shredded lettuce and sauce. The dish is the latest attempt by McDonald's Canada at courting customers uninterested in or unable to consume popular staples like the Big Mac. Prior attempts to cater to vegetarians have not succeeded, leaving the sandwich portion of the company's menu full of beef and poultry options but little for those who don't eat meat. The chain's most recent menu item prior to the McVeggie was the plant, lettuce and tomato or PLT. The sandwich made with a plant-based Beyond Meat patty was tested in September 2019 at 28 restaurants, predominantly in London, Ont. It later expanded to 52 locations covering neighbouring Kitchener-Waterloo and Guelph in a 12-week trial beginning in January 2020. "That wasn't quite what consumers are looking for," chief marketing officer Francesca Cardarelli conceded while sitting at a McDonald's restaurant in Brampton, Ont. She figures part of why the PLT missed the mark was because its patty was designed to mimic meat as most of the hot plant-based meat alternatives did about six years ago. At the time, a Nielsen study revealed that 43 per cent of Canadian consumers expected to increase plant-based food consumption, and in the two years prior, had bought four per cent less meat. Buoyed by these reports and others suggesting the plant-based "meat" market would be valued at $135 billion US by 2035, fast-food joints such as Tim Hortons and McDonald's rushed to offer such products. However, diners didn't take to them and they were eventually pulled from menus because of a lack of demand. The McVeggie attempts to learn from all that. "This is just something that's more craveable and more desirable," said Cardarelli, who said she eats two a week. Whether someone has dietary restrictions or is seeking variety, she thinks the dish's appeal is obvious as soon as one takes a bite out of the sandwich and spots the mélange of chunky greenery that forms the patty. "You can really see the vegetable component in it, which I think adds a bit of a vibrancy and uniqueness from what we've tested in the past," she said. "This is what they're looking for now." McVeggie differs from international options Testing that theory will be the culmination of months of product development, studying PLT feedback and looking at vegetable-based products McDonald's trialed elsewhere. India, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand have also sold sandwiches called the McVeggie at times, but they're not the same as McDonald's Canada's offering, which was developed for this country specifically. The sandwich, however, is not completely made with Canadian ingredients because Cardarelli said the country's climate makes it "quite difficult" to source domestic produce year-round. The company would not name what countries other than Canada it will get vegetables from. The pressure to ensure the McVeggie is a hit is high, not just because of the past failures but because McDonald's stands to win over even more customers who might have eaten elsewhere because of a lack of plant-based options. Its research shows about 35 per cent of Canadians have some sort of food limitation, whether it's an allergy or a personal preference, and about half of the time that one-third determines where the group they're dining with go to eat. McDonald's will watch whether the McVeggie shifts this trend and analyze how often people come in for the sandwich, what they're ordering with it and whether it fits into their routines. "I'm hopeful they will feel the excitement and then gravitate toward a product like this," Cardarelli said.
