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Apr 1 2010

How McDonald's Works

42 min 6 movies discussed
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McDonald's is arguably the most famous fast food restaurant on the planet. Join Josh and Chuck as they discuss the humble beginnings, menu items, practices and controversies of the fast food giant in this episode.

AI Summary

Josh and Chuck dive into the surprising and fascinating history of McDonald's, revealing that Ray Kroc wasn't actually the founder despite what those embossed plaques claim. The episode explores how the McDonald brothers pioneered the revolutionary "speedy system" that created modern fast food, and traces the company's meteoric rise from a single hot dog stand to a Dow Jones industrial giant. From the origins of iconic menu items like the Big Mac and Egg McMuffin to controversies involving Devo lawsuits and the infamous hot coffee case, this episode serves up the complete story behind those golden arches.


Movies Discussed

Fast Food Nation
Fast Food Nation
2006 1h 56m
★ 6.1
"No, there is a movie Fast Food Nation as well that Richard Linklater did. — Chuck asks if Fast Food Nation was turned into Food Inc., and Josh clarifies there was a movie version directed by Linklater." — Josh
H.R. Pufnstuf
H.R. Pufnstuf
1969
★ 7.0
"The guys who used to eat a ton of acid and create children's shows, HR Puffin stuff. — Josh discusses how McDonald's characters were originally going to be licensed from Sid and Marty Krofft's children's show but ended up being ripoffs instead." — Josh
Super Size Me
Super Size Me
2004 1h 40m
★ 6.7
"And then Morgan Spurlock, of course, with the film Super Size Me, the documentary — Discussed as a documentary that criticized McDonald's when the filmmaker ate only McDonald's for 30 days." — Josh
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
2004 1h 59m
★ 7.1
"And I got my copy from the soundtrack of Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. — Josh mentions getting his copy of a Devo song from this Wes Anderson film's soundtrack." — Josh
The Simpsons
The Simpsons
1989
★ 8.0
"Sure, we almost forgot that great Simpsons episode on the McRib, too — Josh references a Simpsons episode about the McRib sandwich while wrapping up their McDonald's discussion." — Josh
Waking Life
Waking Life
2001 1h 41m
★ 7.5
"No, you're thinking of Waking Life. — Josh mentions this Richard Linklater film when Chuck seems confused about the director's other work." — Josh

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