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Here is one trail that ended: https://www.foodbeverageinsider.com/formulation/mcdonalds-drops-beyond-meat-based-burgers-after-test-run https://www.foodbeveragei

by mc32 4y ago

Here is one trail that ended: https://www.foodbeverageinsider.com/formulation/mcdonalds-drops-beyond-meat-based-burgers-after-test-run https://www.foodbeverageinsider.com/formulation/mcdonalds-dr... In addition to McD's, PandExpress and TacoBell discontinued trial menu items.

woodruffw 4y ago
Panda Express and Taco Bell might be different, but that article makes it sound like the trial concluded as planned: > At the pilot’s onset, McDonald’s indicated the McPlant would be available as part of the pilot for a limited time while supplies last. The company confirmed to Food & Beverage Insider in August the test run concluded as planned. In other words: they ran a trial, and it finished. That itself isn't evidence for either success or failure, any more than taking a scheduled blood test is/isn't evidence for a blood disease.
- tablespoon 4y ago
  > In other words: they ran a trial, and it finished. That itself isn't evidence for either success or failure, any more than taking a scheduled blood test is/isn't evidence for a blood disease. There might be some ambiguity, but the evidence needle is definitely more on the "failure" side. This isn't like a routine blood test. They were test marketing a product. If the test succeeded, it would be foolish of them to not roll it out widely and make more money off of its now-measured success. It's very likely the product didn't meet their expectations, but it's hard to say by how much.
  - woodruffw 4y ago
    > If the test succeeded, it would be foolish of them to not roll it out widely and make more money off of its now-measured success. It's very likely the product didn't meet their expectations, but it's hard to say by how much. I don't think you can safely assume that. There are lots of reasons to not immediately turn a trial into a full run: logistical and supply chain considerations, contract negotiations for the ingredients, running surveys and tweaking the items based on customer feedback, &c. This is true in almost every industry except software: you put space between the trial and full deployment because there are physical and logistical considerations that cost time and money.

by mc32 4y ago

woodruffw 4y ago

Panda Express and Taco Bell might be different, but that article makes it sound like the trial concluded as planned: > At the pilot’s onset, McDonald’s indicated the McPlant would be available as part of the pilot for a limited time while supplies last. The company confirmed to Food & Beverage Insider in August the test run concluded as planned. In other words: they ran a trial, and it finished. That itself isn't evidence for either success or failure, any more than taking a scheduled blood test is/isn't evidence for a blood disease.

tablespoon 4y ago
> In other words: they ran a trial, and it finished. That itself isn't evidence for either success or failure, any more than taking a scheduled blood test is/isn't evidence for a blood disease. There might be some ambiguity, but the evidence needle is definitely more on the "failure" side. This isn't like a routine blood test. They were test marketing a product. If the test succeeded, it would be foolish of them to not roll it out widely and make more money off of its now-measured success. It's very likely the product didn't meet their expectations, but it's hard to say by how much.
- woodruffw 4y ago
  > If the test succeeded, it would be foolish of them to not roll it out widely and make more money off of its now-measured success. It's very likely the product didn't meet their expectations, but it's hard to say by how much. I don't think you can safely assume that. There are lots of reasons to not immediately turn a trial into a full run: logistical and supply chain considerations, contract negotiations for the ingredients, running surveys and tweaking the items based on customer feedback, &c. This is true in almost every industry except software: you put space between the trial and full deployment because there are physical and logistical considerations that cost time and money.