A giant inflatable McDonald’s mascot floated by a franchisee in a southern Arizona town drew backlash from some residents, causing it to be taken down, local outlet KVOA reported.
The newly rebuilt McDonald’s in Catalina Foothills was reopened to much fanfare, but its large inflatable rooftop Ronald McDonald mascot quickly divided opinion among customers, guests and residents, according to the outlet’s Sep. 27 report.
“Was just going home and then pop there it was,” resident Clive Morgan told KVOA.
The mascot seemed to be beneath the neighborhood’s upscale status for some and jarred with the nearby mountain range skyline.
“I thought this is crazy, would this set a precedent for all the drive-thrus and McDonald’s in town, we’d end up like a huge theme park,” he said.
Some Catalina Foothills residents were upset to see this pop up at a renovated McDonalds on Swan and Sunrise. I spoke with the franchise owner. I am live @KVOA at 4 & 5. pic.twitter.com/M78cnHPlrR
— Chorus Nylander KVOA (@CNylanderKVOA) September 27, 2024
“Complaining about an inflatable blocking views is one way to spend your time,” a Twitter user reacted.
“Clive needs to chill! Plus, he’s a snowbird from Canada! #tucson #mcdonalds,” Johnjay Van Es, a Phoenix, Arizona-based radio host, posted on Twitter.
Paul Dias —owner of Dias Management Inc., which reopened the McDonald’s location — strongly disagreed with Morgan and some others, KVOA reported.
“It got a lot of great feedback from our customers and our guests coming in, it was the talk of the town,” he told KVOA.
The company had advertised the inflatable Sep. 20 as “a sight to see.”
“There were a few people that thought it wasn’t appropriate for the area we’re in,” Dias added.
The company reportedly took down the iconic inflatable Sep. 27, nine days after the Sep. 18 reopening. (RELATED: McDonald’s Changes Iconic ‘Happy Meal’ In Dumbest Decision Ever)
“Our intent was never to make anyone upset, not one customer at all, so we made the business decision to keep it down for the near future and probably for good,” Dias told KVOA.
“Mission accomplished, sir,” a now-satisfied Morgan told KVOA after the inflatable’s removal.
Dias Management Inc. runs 23 McDonald’s outlets across Tucson, according to the company’s Facebook page. One of Dias’s daughters reportedly runs the new location, which Dias reportedly described as special to him.
“It’s the closest restaurant to my home,” Dias told KVOA.
