McDonald's Controversy at Cleveland Clinic

[Bridget Conant]

It's been all over the news - the Cleveland Clinic ousted the McDonald's outlet from it's main campus after the lease expired.

http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2015/08/cleveland_clinic_closing_mcdonalds_in_its_food_court.html

Funny thing is that they've been trying to close it since 2004, but they had a lease until the present and McDonald's prevailed in the legal wrangling!

Also indicative of the hypocrisy of Cleveland Clinic is that they claim they want only "healthy" food places in the facility. Meanwhile, the Clinic Starbucks has a line out the door all day long selling 700 calorie frappes and 400 calorie bakery goods, while across the hall the Au Bon Pain sells sugary, high calorie bakery goods and fat and calorie laden food items.

They don't care about your health, they care about their image. McDonald's doesn't present the same "upscale" image that Starbucks does. They want to cultivate that image - another reason they want to be in Avon, not Lakewood.

Of course, they want our money and market share - Lakewoodites are very important to the Clinic. They just don't want to be associated with LAKEWOOD.

[Corey Rossen]

It's been all over the news - the Cleveland Clinic ousted the McDonald's outlet from it's main campus after the lease expired.

http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2015/08/cleveland_clinic_closing_mcdonalds_in_its_food_court.html

Funny thing is that they've been trying to close it since 2004, but they had a lease until the present and McDonald's prevailed in the legal wrangling!

Also indicative of the hypocrisy of Cleveland Clinic is that they claim they want only "healthy" food places in the facility. Meanwhile, the Clinic Starbucks has a line out the door all day long selling 700 calorie frappes and 400 calorie bakery goods, while across the hall the Au Bon Pain sells sugary, high calorie bakery goods and fat and calorie laden food items.

They don't care about your health, they care about their image. McDonald's doesn't present the same "upscale" image that Starbucks does. They want to cultivate that image - another reason they want to be in Avon, not Lakewood.

Of course, they want our money and market share - Lakewoodites are very important to the Clinic. They just don't want to be associated with LAKEWOOD.

I am happy to see McDonald's go, it does not fit the healthy image that CCF is striving for, and has been for years (noted as 2004). They also do not allow smoking. I also agree (immensely) with this. I do not think it is a status image they are going for. The line would be just as long if they had privately owned companies such as the Root Cafe at CCF (healthy options, but also coffee) in place of Starbucks.

Nearly every food service entity, in every market, has healthy and unhealthy food options on their menu. It is up to the customer to decide.

Even salads (healthy choice) have salad dressing (not so healthy).

Corey

[Bridget Conant]

You are right Corey, every place has healthy options, INCLUDING McDonald's! In fact, Mcdonalds went out of their way to adapt their menu and offer healthier choices at that location. Order a plain salad or a wrap.

So again, we will go with your statement, "it is up to the consumer to decide."

Unless it's McDonalds and you're the Cleveland Clinic!

It's IMAGE.