Hamburglar meets Netstumbler: McDonalds' is beginning to roll out its on-site wireless internet service in partnership with WayPort, and promotional offers will likely include "buy-a-[insert food item here], get a two-hour wireless connection free" deals. Not everyone predicts success:
McDonald's said it sees wireless service in its restaurants as a natural extension of convenient service, which should appeal to students and professionals, while helping drive traffic during off hours. Still, the move was met with some skepticism from some industry analysts who noted that McDonald's lacked the upscale clientele that was most likely to take advantage of constant connectivity. "With Starbucks, I think it's terrific because it does keep people in some of their stores," said Robert Goldin, a restaurant consultant with the market research firm Technomic Inc. "With McDonald's, I don't see it. The setting to me doesn't seem very conducive."
Interesting: This FAQ on McDwireless.com points out that this is a six-month trial program… the unwiring begins now, and presumably McDonalds will re-evaluate the pickup rate at the end of the trial, to determine whether or not they'll continue to offer.
Link to "McDWireless.com", Link to Reuters story, Link to McDonald's press release, Discuss (Thanks, cacheop)
