The Success of McDonald’s: Applying the Just-In-Time Philosophy to Service Delivery
1. Introduction
In today’s fast food industry, McDonald’s is one of the most well-known and successful companies. They have accomplished this by standardizing their product and service around the globe. A big part of their success has been due to their implementation of the just-in-time (JIT) philosophy in order to ensure process quality. JIT is a Japanese manufacturing philosophy that focuses on reducing inventory and waste by increasing efficiency and flexibility. Applying JIT to service delivery means that all workers are able to provide the same eating experience around the world. This not only saves time and money, but also allows for customers to have consistent expectations when they visit a McDonald’s restaurant.
2. What is JIT?
JIT is a production strategy that was developed in Japan in the 1970s. The goal of JIT is to eliminate waste and increase efficiency by producing only what is needed, when it is needed. JIT production involves three main elements:
1. small lot sizes
2) frequent deliveries
3) rapid set up times
The key to successful JIT production is having a high degree of flexibility so that changes can be made quickly and easily. This allows for businesses to respond to customer demand in a timely manner while still maintaining high quality standards.
3. Applying JIT to Service Delivery
In order to apply JIT to service delivery, McDonald’s had to first industrialize the process so that all workers would be able to provide the same eating experience around the world. They did this by breaking down the steps of service into simple tasks that could be completed by any employee, no matter their skill level. For example, instead of having each employee make each sandwich from start to finish, they created an assembly line where each employee was responsible for one task, such as adding the meat or cheese. This not only saved time, but also ensured that each sandwich was made in the same way every time.
4. Creating the McDonald’s Experience
One of the most important aspects of McDonald’s success has been their ability to create a consistent customer experience around the world. In order to do this, they had to standardize their product and service so that it would be the same no matter where you were in the world. For example, every McDonald’s restaurant has the same menu with the same prices. They also have similar décor and layout so that customers know what to expect when they walk in the door. This level of consistency creates a feeling of comfort and familiarity for customers, which keeps them coming back.
5. Maintaining Quality Standards
Another important aspect of McDonald’s success is their commitment to maintaining high quality standards. In order to do this, they have a number of quality control measures in place throughout the company. For example, they have strict guidelines for food preparation and handling so that all food is safe to eat. They also regularly test their products so that they can ensure that they are meeting customer expectations. By maintaining these high standards, McDonald’s is able to keep their customers happy and coming back for more.
6. McDonald’s Quality of Service: Summary
McDonald’s has been successful in creating a consistent customer experience around the world by applying the just-in-time (JIT) philosophy to their service delivery. This has allowed them to save time and money while still maintaining high quality standards. In order to maintain their success, McDonald’s will need to continue to invest in their people and processes so that they can keep up with the ever-changing customer demands.