McDonald’s Earns Top 10 Spot on 2014 Brand Simplicity Index for the Middle East

Quick-service favourite commended for convenience, speed, and accessibility

November 24, 2014 – In recognition for its continued commitment to enhancing its customers’ experience, McDonald’s has earned a top 10 place on the 2014 Global Brand Simplicity Index for the Middle East. Published annually by the New York-based branding firm Siegel+Gale, this index evaluates the impact and power of simplicity on a brand’s customer loyalty.

Earning the sixth place on the index, McDonald’s is the only food and beverage brand listed in the top 10 rankings. This year’s index praised the iconic quick-service brand for its proliferation of branches, easy access, and its simple menu. McDonald’s was commended further for posting easy-to-read nutritional information on its packaging, so that customers can make informed food choices.

Commenting on this acknowledgment, Mr. Rafic Fakih, Managing Director and Partner of McDonald’s Emirates said: “This is a proud moment for McDonald’s Emirates we are compelled to push ourselves even harder on our journey to make the McDonald’s experience simpler, easier, and more convenient. At McDonald’s, we constantly challenge ourselves to innovate and proactively meet our customers’ evolving needs. This is a key driver behind everything we do – through revitalizing our menu and making our restaurants more digitally enabled, to offering more convenience and value.”

The Global Brand Simplicity Index is the result of more than 500 brand ratings spanning 25 industries, based on an annual survey of more than 10,000 consumers in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Published annually since 2010, McDonald’s is only one of four brands to consistently maintain a top 10 position.

About McDonald’s Emirates:
Operating since 1994, McDonald’s Emirates today has 125 restaurants geographically located to service customers in many areas. McDonald’s Emirates is committed to the quality of the products it serves at each restaurant and also maintains an active social responsibility agenda.

McDonald’s Emirates prides itself on being a local member of the community and has been committed to being a responsible corporate citizen since the first restaurant opened in the UAE. McDonald’s vast CSR agenda includes various sports events that promote balanced active lifestyles including the Olympic Day Run – the annual race which attracts thousands of runners every year, the Olympic Champion Kids Program which offered children the chance to experience the Olympic Games live from the event in 2008 and the Player Escort Program which has been launched twice in the UAE and offers children in the Emirates a chance of a life-time experience to fly to the FIFA World Cup venue and escort football players onto the field.

McDonald’s Emirates significantly reduced its carbon footprint since the launch of its biodiesel initiative in July 2011. 100% of McDonald’s used vegetable oil is collected from its outlets across the UAE and converted into 100% biodiesel which is used to fuel the company’s logistics fleet.