the staff of the Ridgewood blog
River Edge NJ, in 2024, McDonald’s once again proved its place at the heart of American life—not just as a fast-food giant, but as a cultural touchstone where everything from politics to criminal drama unfolds. Two major news stories in recent months highlight the unexpected ways McDonald’s continues to reflect the quirks, contradictions, and connections of ordinary Americans.
From Campaign Stops to Criminal Arrests
At the end of October, President Donald Trump made headlines with a controversial campaign stunt at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, where he “worked” the drive-through for 30 minutes. Weeks later, the chain was back in the spotlight when Luigi Mangione, the alleged assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was arrested at a McDonald’s—also in Pennsylvania. Mangione’s capture came thanks to a group of sharp-eyed morning regulars and employees who recognized him despite his best efforts to stay under the radar.
A Cultural Blind Spot in Commentary
The reactions to these stories in certain corners of the media revealed a disconnect between commentators and the role McDonald’s plays in everyday American life. Some questioned why someone “as careful” as Mangione would risk going to a McDonald’s, while others wondered how he could possibly be recognized in such a “soulless” and uniform franchise setting.
But these reactions miss the mark. To millions of Americans, McDonald’s isn’t just a generic fast-food outlet—it’s a community hub.
The McDonald’s Effect: Familiarity Breeds Connection
For many, McDonald’s is a constant in a changing world. It’s where retirees gather for coffee and conversation every morning, where families stop during road trips, and where teenagers bond over fries and milkshakes. Each location may look the same, but within those golden arches lies a unique ecosystem of regulars and employees who notice when something—or someone—feels out of place.
In Mangione’s case, it was this familiarity that led to his capture. The regulars and staff at that Pennsylvania McDonald’s weren’t just passively sipping coffee—they were part of a small, tight-knit community.
Trump’s McDonald’s Moment
Trump’s campaign stop at McDonald’s might have been a stunt, but it wasn’t random. He understands the symbolic power of the chain as a cultural equalizer. Love or hate him, his brief stint “working” the drive-through played into his everyman image and the nostalgia many Americans feel for a place that has been part of their lives for decades.
More Than Burgers and Fries
McDonald’s enduring relevance isn’t just about Big Macs and Happy Meals—it’s about its role in American life. It’s a place where people gather, stories unfold, and yes, even major news breaks. Whether it’s a political campaign or a criminal investigation, the chain’s ubiquity makes it the backdrop for the moments, big and small, that define the country.
McDonald’s, with its more than 13,000 locations in the U.S. alone, is known for being the first job many teens have, with many folks keeping the Golden Arches as their place of employment well into adulthood. Now, a statistic from the fast food giant serves as inspiration for a new initiative by the 68-year-old company,
On Oct. 11, McDonald’s announced a project based on a surprising statistic: 1 in 8 Americans have worked at a McDonald’s restaurant. McDonald’s confirmed to TODAY.com that it surveyed a representative sample of American adults and found that 1 in 8 (just over, actually, at 13.7%) reported that they currently or formerly worked at a McDonald’s restaurant.
As 2024 comes to a close, these stories remind us that McDonald’s isn’t just a fast-food chain—it’s a microcosm of America itself, capturing our shared routines, unexpected drama, and enduring connections.
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I had a friend, let’s call him Bob, that worked at BK in the late 70s.
A small posse of friends would show up late at night and Bob would load up the big bag with munchies. And then charge us $2.