McDonald's

McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) is the poster child for unhealthy food in America. As the demand for higher quality, lower-calorie foods has risen, McDonald's is among the most savagely criticized firms. McDonald's is in the bottom 10% of the American Customer Satisfaction Index among 181 firms across all industries measured in the poll. The negative reaction of the press to McDonald's business practices has grown rapidly, fueled by attacks against the firm by the health care sector and consumer advocates. McDonald's has also been accused of using free toys as an incentive to entice children to their fast food outlets. So far legal actions, like the one recently brought by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, do not seem to have damaged the company's business. But the obesity epidemic and rise in diseases from high calorie and high fat foods will change consumer practice over time, especially if there is a "sin tax" placed on these foods. The bad PR appears not to have hurt the company's share price, however, which has soared up nearly 25% in the last year.

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