As 43 of the 55 McDonald’s outlets shut shop on June 29, 2017, my appetite for fast food has doubled. I have been craving for the Pizza McPuff and the McFlurry along with the ever so tasty filet-o-fish.
Let me begin by clarifying that neither am I endorsing fast food nor I am a fitness freak. I am a regular person who likes to indulge once in a while and McDonald’s shutting down in Delhi has really begun to hurt now.
Not a bird in sight where people used to flock to catch up with friends every evening. A place always buzzing with laughter and cheer has gone mom. All that I am left with is memories of my favorite outlet. And when the emotional side of me mellows down, the practical me rise up thinking where else can you eat a wholesome meal for less than 200 bucks?
I am a loyal McDonald’s customer and I hate the other fast food options. I can eat a plate of bhalla papdi but when I want a burger I want only a McDonald’s burger. Period. Where will all the burger-hungry Delhiites head now? Because what McDonald’s did to you, no one else would.
Where else could you get a free replacement for a dropped fountain coke? Where else would a kid walk out with free, colourful balloons in both hands? I often wonder where would all the Delhi kids go to celebrate little achievements at school? If not more, every kid on the block surely misses McDonald’s for its “Happy Meal” toys that made the meal-time real fun.
For people who are anti-fast food, please take a deep breath and retrospect. Have you never enjoyed a McDonald’s burger with French fries ever?
For those of you thinking I could order a burger online – No! I am all for online shopping but just for clothes. My meals have to be oven-fresh. And mind you! I am well aware of the remaining McDonald’s outlets in Delhi but there is none that is close enough and none that is close enough (to my heart). I might grab a bite elsewhere whenever I get a chance but there is no way I can stop missing the one that just shut down near my house. Being just a stone’s throw away, it always invited me with its conquering smell of French fries.
Amidst all this, about 1700 people lost their jobs for no real reason. If not for fans like me, the Delhi outlets must open so that these people can continue to earn their bread and butter because there is nothing more saddening than losing your livelihood.
Is anybody listening?
– Meenakshi Besoya
