Chipotle, McDonald’s Looking to Stem Customer Exodus

Many children, teens, and adults around the U.S. are huge fans of fast food. Yet, many are not fully aware of recent food outbreaks at the popular Chipotle or the dismal financial reports from McDonald’s.

Chipotle has recently been suffering from food outbreaks caused by the E. Coli bacteria, which can be found in both human and animal intestines. While it can be harmless, on other occasions it can result in severe illness and possibly even death. E. Coli has been identified in Chipotle restaurants in three different U.S. states: Oregon, Washington, and California.

12 cases were reported in Oregon while 29 cases were reported in Washington. Both states closed a total 43 Chipotle restaurants as a result of dozens going to the hospital. People were also being tested positive for norovirus – a common cause of viral gastroenteritis- in California, which left 80 customers and 18 employees ill.

According to The Oregon Health Authority, E. Coli has infected people who ate at Chipotle between Oct. 14 and Oct. 23. These infections cause vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Treatments including blood transfusions, kidney dialysis, and antibiotics are recommended to help reduce the risk of serious complications.

McDonald’s, on the other hand, has had problems involving money. The fast food franchise has had a 10 percent drop in quarterly sales and earnings. They have also been losing customers to other rivals such as Smashburger, Shake Shack, and Five Guys.

The company noted that the main reason for the loss in sales and customer dissatisfaction was because products were not meeting customers’ demands. Don Thompson, the CEO and president of McDonald’s, shares that the menu will be revamped due to new product launches; however, it will not remain a main priority.