Big Mac: Inside the McDonald's Empire - Program Highlights

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS


	Big Business McDonald's has more than 31-thousand restaurants in 118 countries. The company has gone thru a hugh turnaround in recent years and now serves 52-million people a day! Each individual store contributes to the bottom line - especially one in Darien, Connecticut. The popular store is an oasis for travelers on a busy turnpike. Big Mac: Big Business Carl Quintanilla travels to Darien, Connecticut for a look inside one of the busiest McDonald's stores.

	The New McJob It's not just flipping burgers! Working at McDonald's can lead to a successful career. Franchise owners hire, fire, and manage budgets and income in the millions of dollars. Today, there's a new definition of the "McJob." Connecticut store Operations Manager Tyrone Davis runs six stores and hopes to be an owner on day. Climbing the Corporate Ladder Store Operations Manager Tyrone Davis talks about working his way up the corporate ladder.

	McDonald's Four-Star Chef Who creates the McDonald's menu? It's Chef Dan Coudreaut, who gave up the glamour of the Four Seasons hotel to work on Quarter Pounders and Chicken McNuggets and a whole lot more! Our cameras capture a close look at the immense amount of testing and research behind every product and the meticulous manner in which the hamburger is prepared. In the Kitchen Go inside McDonald's secret test kitchen run by Chef Dan Coudreaut.

	Remember When... Hamburgers were just 15-cents - dinners came with a milkshake and McDonald's with a drive-in. More than 50 years ago, McDonald's founder Ray Kroc turned a small hamburger business into a global empire - one store, one owner at a time. Take a look at the rich history behind the Golden Arches. Slideshow: Back in the Day... McDonald’s Founder Ray Kroc Ray Kroc on how McDonald's was launched (from NBC's "Tomorrow Show" with Tom Snyder 1977). Hamburger University McDonald's "Hamburger University" course on how to be a great McDonald's employee (1976). Hula Burger Life and Death of the McDonald's "Hula Burger." (with Tom Brokaw on NBC's "Today Show" 1977)

	Nutrition As the biggest and most successful fast food chain, McDonald's has been a lightening rod for nutrition criticism. Some critics charge McDonald's staples – burgers and fries – contribute to a national epidemic of obesity, particularly among children. We'll explore the accusations and the company's response. Plus, a look at the incredible array of advertising and marketing produced to promote McDonald's. McDonald's Nutrition Information

	The New Frontier McDonald's new frontier is China. Roughly half of McDonald's 31-thousand stores are outside the U.S., and China may be the company's most promising foreign market. There you'll find a new kind of McDonald's restaurant - "The McCafe" - serving high-end specialty coffee, desserts & pastries. Big Mac in China Take a look at McDonald’s in China.

SHOW TIMES

Monday, November 30th 9p ET

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