McDonalds is Out: Walmart Swaps Fast-Food Giant for Fresh New Partner

Most consumers in America have noticed that the price for regular items has increased across the board. Everything from gas to insurance, groceries, and clothing has become massively overpriced in recent years.

Due to the massive increase in costs for everyday items, more consumers have been turning to value brands in the past few years. This is why mega retailer Walmart has performed better than its counterparts like Target.

On an earnings call this month, Chief Executive Doug McMillion said, “Our results were stronger than we anticipated, with sales growth of 5.7% and adjusted operating profit up 12.9% in constant currency. All three operating segments performed well.”

A recent report noted that more than 65% of Americans have suffered from financial stress due to inflation in the last year.

The company regularly takes feedback from loyal customers and makes an effort to keep in touch with regular, everyday people who shop at its stores.

The company also mentioned that they have recently pledged to invest roughly $9 billion to make its brick-and-mortar stores even cleaner, more manageable, and feel refreshed.

Some of the biggest changes will include updated interiors and exteriors, new paint, signs, shopping carriages, more specious navigatable aisles, new check out designs, bigger pharmacies, refreshed vision centers, interactive corner displays for home designs and bedding, more portions for pick-up and delivery options, as well as grab & go section with fresh meals and drinks.

The ambitious changes to the shopping experience will also include a big update to the food offerings.

A few weeks ago, McDonald’s units were in more than 800 Walmart stores. Now, there will only be about 150 units left after multiple locations close.

For decades Walmart and McDonald’s had a deep association that just made sense. Walmart offers its customers familiar products at strong-value prices, while McDonald’s promotes values that have long attracted customers.

There are several reasons why these fast food chains are closing in the grocery store. Less foot traffic in stores, curbside pickup, and hundreds of Walmart’s closing due to loss of sales are why many locations are closing down.

As customers scoff at the high prices of fast food restaurants, like McDonald’s and its $15 Big Mac meals, they are turning to grocery stores like Walmart, despite the higher grocery bill, because they feel like they are getting a good deal.

On Tuesday, Walmart announced that they would be partnering with Knuckies Hoagies, a Milton, Ga., chain that specializes in fresh sandwiches and cheesesteaks.

Some of the brands that Walmart is testing out are smoothie vending machines, Charley Phyllis Steak restaurants, Domino Pizza locations, Ben’s soft pretzels, and many other fast food concepts.

The super grocery store is now trying to rebrand itself through a partnership with a fast food company that makes a lifestyle statement.

Uncle Sharkii’s will start appearing in Walmarts in California. Other states will start seeing different fast food offerings in their local grocery stores.

The sandwich company was founded in 2019 and has garnered massive success.

Aside from the exciting new partnership with Knuckies Hoagies, Walmart has made it part of its mission to expand further into different food offerings than the most unhealthy options.

One of the other brands Walmart is partnering with is Uncle Sharkii, which sells affordable Poke Bowls. “Uncle Sharkii is partnering up with Walmart, and we’re getting ready to bring poke to the masses!#Uncle Sharkii #PokeBar #Walmart #ComingSoon,” the retailer’s new partner shared on X, the former Twitter.

Amid the massive downturn of retail sales, large retailers have had no choice but start to listen to customers who don’t want to be price gouged for sales anymore.

Both Walmart and Target have expanded their curbside-pickup programs, which have enabled customers to order online and pick up at the store without leaving their cars.

Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey addressed the matter during the chain’s third-quarter-earnings call.

Walmart also wants customers to take advantage of all their services because it encourages more visits. The company hopes that this level of satisfaction will bring customers back.

Walmart has long been the pillar of affordable shopping across the US. The company is not only the largest retailer, it is a gauge of consumer sentiment as many people go to the store as their one-stop shop.