McDonald’s opening in Wanaka
Photo: Erik Mclean.
"McDonaldization has been seen as one of the most important processes in contemporary society. It affects all aspects of our lives, from the way we work to the way we play, from the way we eat to the way we communicate." George Ritzer
Introduction
With McDonald's nearing its opening in Wanaka, this blog post explores the impact on the town by addressing five crucial questions related to health, environmental, economic, cultural, and ethical implications.
Is McDonald’s coming to Wanaka?
McDonald’s plans to open a franchise in Wanaka, New Zealand, by 2026. The location will be at Mt. Iron Junction, right before entering the town at the intersection of State Highways 6-84, making it visible and accessible to everyone traveling between the nearby towns.
The potential McDonald’s site will accommodate 75 diners, provide parking for 24 cars, and operate 24 hours a day.
Some locals feel disheartened and have joined forces through a petition created by Sarah Morrison to prevent McDonald's from coming to town. Others, however, believe having McDonald's in town isn't a big deal and think the opposition is making a fuss over nothing.
What are the main reasons for opposing the opening of McDonald's in Wanaka?
Why are some people against McDonald's?
What is McDonaldization?
In 1993, North American sociologist George Ritzer published "The McDonaldization of Society," introducing the concept as a framework for understanding the spread of principles characteristic of fast food restaurants to other sectors of society.
Ritzer studies the operational side of McDonald's, and from there tries to show which values are being held by McDonald's and spread around different spaces in our society.
For McDonald's to operate successfully, rationality and efficiency become top priorities. Through extensive mechanization, anything that could potentially delay daily operations is eliminated, and human errors, which can create trouble, are minimized. This leads to the dehumanization and homogenization of behaviors: McDonald's doesn't want prolonged human interactions, no one should wait more than three minutes. Order fast, get your food fast, eat fast, leave fast. Lines are there to be followed, counter workers behave almost robotically, and you, as a customer, are expected to do the same.
When considering the type of society we want to live in, we should evaluate whether McDonald's aligns with those values. Every brand, product, and especially every large multinational corporation has a specific target audience they aim to attract in order to continue selling and expanding. Naturally, their ultimate goal is to reach the widest audience possible.
“We're betting big on physical and digital development. Today, McDonald's has over 40,000 restaurants — and by the end of 2027, we plan to expand to 50,000 restaurants around the world.” Mcdonald’s Investor Update 2023.
what type of society is McDonald’s aiming for?
Let’s break down McDonald's goals into 5 questions and examine the effects that McDonald's could have on Wanaka and nearby towns.
What type of body (and mind) does McDonald’s want?
McDonald’s health concerns.
What does the body of someone who frequently eats McDonald's look like?
Frequent consumption of McDonald's and any processed fast food, which is encouraged by the company to achieve its 2027 goals, can have significant physical and psychological effects.
Physically, it can lead to weight gain, increased body fat, muscle loss, digestive issues, dental problems, and poor skin health due to its high calorie, fat, and sugar content. Over time, these dietary habits increase the risk of chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Furthermore, the high levels of sugar and unhealthy fats, combined with other additives, can contribute to mood swings, addiction, depression and anxiety, cognitive decline, reduced stress resilience, and other psychological effects.
Does the type of body promoted by McDonald's have the energy and capability to enjoy the wonderful outdoors of the Wanaka region?
If Wanaka aims to be renowned for its outdoorsy lifestyle, how does McDonald's fit into the Regenerative Tourism 2030 plan proposed by QLDC?
2. What type of world does McDonald’s promote? Environmental impacts of Macdonald’s.
Firstly, there's the issue of waste generation. With its fast-food model, McDonald's produces significant amounts of packaging waste, including disposable cups, containers, and wrappers, contributing to landfill accumulation and littering. Moreover, the production and transportation of food ingredients, often sourced from distant locations, entail carbon emissions and energy consumption, contributing to climate change.
Additionally, the traffic generated by McDonald's, especially during peak hours, can contribute to air and noise pollution, affecting the overall environmental quality of the town.
3. What type of life does McDonald’s dream of? Long-term economic effects of McDonald’s in Wanaka area.
The presence of McDonald's in a town can have significant economic impacts, particularly in terms of employment. As Steve Schikken proudly said McDonald’s is a “very high employer of youth in New Zealand”, but is this a good thing? This can be beneficial for the local economy by reducing youth unemployment rates and providing individuals with valuable job experience. However, there are potential consequences to consider when a large portion of the youth workforce is employed in positions with limited skill development and advancement opportunities.
While working at McDonald's can offer valuable soft skills such as teamwork and customer service, it may also detract from the pursuit of higher education or more economically rewarding career paths.
Is it really a good idea to have the youth employed in a very robotic work environment with constant access to processed food?
Additionally, reliance on low-wage, entry-level jobs like those offered by McDonald's may contribute to income inequality within the community, as individuals struggle to attain financial stability or advance to higher-paying positions. Therefore, while McDonald's undoubtedly plays a role in the local economy by providing employment opportunities, it's essential to consider the long-term implications of relying on such employment for the town's youth population.
4. What type of town does McDonald’s want? McDonald’s cultural influence.
A McDonald’s store in Wanaka will stand out with its strong presence and marketing muscle, aiming to be the top spot for both locals and tourists. It's the epitome of convenience: easy parking, speedy service, perfect for those on the go. But does this fit Wanaka's vibe? What happened to supporting local businesses? Can we really have both—a huge McDonald's at the town's entrance and still encourage visitors to explore and connect with the community? It's a bit of a puzzle.
McDonald's promotes a kind of sameness that doesn't fit with Wanaka's diverse and local-focused atmosphere. It creates a false sense of community and aims to overshadow the genuine connections fostered by local businesses.
Do you envision Wanaka as a community where interactions are merely counted in minutes? Or do you aspire to foster a town with deep, meaningful connections, where relationships aren't evaluated solely based on efficiency?
5. What type of human do we want?
Should we care about McDonald's opening in Wanaka? Is it time to set aside the commotion and carry on with our lives? Like The Herald said: “Wanaka Mc protester must realise it is no longer a “little mountain town”.
In a world where every chance to engage actively with the community and address concerns is dismissed as an irritating distraction, we can step away from this minor political skirmish and pursue our ethical ideals elsewhere. We can also take a moment to reflect on our core values, assess if they align with those around us, and explore ways to work towards a strong engaged community.
