Harvard Business Review McDonald’s Strategic Direction Case Study Please answer the following questions pertaining to the Harvard Business Review McDonald’

Harvard Business Review McDonald’s Strategic Direction Case Study Please answer the following questions pertaining to the Harvard Business Review McDonald’s Case Study. (Links to an external site.)

Note: You will need to purchase this case from the website linked above.

Purpose: This assignment is aimed at reinforcing concepts discussed in the textbook and lecture videos through reviewing decisions made by a company.

Instructions: Please submit your assignment via a file upload. Please use proper formatting (12 point font, Times New Roman, single-spaced.) Your assignment should be approximately 1-1.5 pages in length.

Note: This is an individual assignment and all work must be original. Do not collaborate with other students on this assignment.

1. Strategic Direction: The case provides an overview of the history of McDonald’s and explains how rapid growth affected the company.

Menu Challenges: The case explains how the original menu was simple and consisted of burgers, fries, and drinks, but grew rapidly to include a variety of items as the company expanded.

a) What factors influenced the company to start adding menu items?

b) What are some advantages of expanding menu offerings?

c) What are some concerns or items to consider regarding expanding menu offerings?

d) Do you agree with the decisions made by previous executives to expand the menu offerings at McDonald’s or do you believe the original menu approach would have been better? Explain your reasoning.

2. External Factors: The case provides a detailed account of external factors that affected the company and how these factors influenced strategy.

a) What were the economic factors affecting the company?

b) What were the sociocultural factors affecting the company?

c) What ecological/environmental factors caused a disruption in the supply of beef?

d) Since this case study is from several years ago, what external factors do you believe are of high importance for the company today? Please use and cite an external source (in APA format) to support your answer.

3. Competitive Forces: McDonald’s has to be aware not only of direct competitors, but also substitutes that can take away market share. Based on the information provided in the case:

a) Explain at least 3 companies that you see as direct competitors of McDonald’s (the case lists more, but just focus on the top 3 competitors in your opinion.)

b) Explain at least 3 companies listed in the case that you see as substitutes (i.e., not direct competitors, but companies that can steal customers away from the company).

c) How do these competitors and substitutes affect McDonald’s strategies?