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  3. Let’s face it—there are lots of reasons to hate McDonald’s: calories, cholesterol and, for me at least, that sickening feeling a

Let’s face it—there are lots of reasons to hate McDonald’s: calories, cholesterol and, for me at least, that sickening feeling a

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问题     Let’s face it—there are lots of reasons to hate McDonald’s: calories, cholesterol and, for me at least, that sickening feeling after munching (大口咀嚼) on McNuggets. Then there’s always that kid at the drive-through who forgets the ketchup (番茄酱).
    Well, add one more reason to spite McDonald’s: as the global economy spirals downward, McDonald’s is minting money. "In the worst of times for the restaurant industry, it’s the best of times for McDonald’s," says Burt Flickinger III, managing director of the Strategic Resources Group, a retail-consulting company. In fact, the company’s sales have increased for 55 straight months. Profits grew 11%, to $1.2 billion.
    The pricing of McDonald’s, highlighted by dollar-menu items like apple pies, side salads and yogurt, plus cheap combo meals is a key strength during the recession. In particular, consumers are fleeing casual, family chain restaurants for the convenience and savings of fast food.
    The economy is not the only reason people are drawn to McDonald’s. The company’s management also deserves credit for its success. Back seven years ago, America’s obesity (肥胖) epidemic was a hot topic, and McDonald’s suffered from the strong negative reaction. Stale food and tired stores also kept people away. "McDonald’s was actively persuading customers from coming back," says John Glass, a Morgan Stanley analyst.
    Since that time, McDonald’s have remodeled 11,000 stores. At a neat and clean restaurant in the Bronx one weekday evening, Brian Waters, a mailman, sat with his 9-year-old son in a booth. The bright dining area featured abstract paintings of New York City’s bridges and the Statue of Liberty. "It used to be dark and dull in here," Waters says. "Now it’s nice and clean. I don’t mind sitting here anymore." Stores have also extended hours: 34% of the company’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are now open 24/7.
    The menu got an upgrade too. Obscene "super-size" choices were phased out, and healthier options like apples and salads were added. The company changed its coffee blend; coffee sales have soared 70% over the past two years. Chicken McNuggets now consist solely of white meat, which has less fat and fewer calories than the darker-meat mix of old.
    Like any other business in this environment, McDonald’s faces some potential roadblocks. As the recession wears on, fast-food-service growth may flatten out; plus, McDonald’s can expect more price competition. For example, Steak ’n Shake, the diner-style burger chain in 21 states throughout the Midwest and South, is promoting four different meal combos for less than $4. "In Los Angeles, every other billboard is a 99-cent food price," says Glass. The battle for bargain-hunting eaters is on. But given its recent winning ways, McDonald’s might just add a few more billion served.
When the battle for bargain-hunting eaters is on, the author expects that McDonald’s will most probably _____.
选项 A、increase its management expenses
B、open more chain restaurants
C、have to cut its prices sharply
D、gain more customers
答案D
解析 最后一句句末的过去分词served表明a few more billion是McDonald’s的服务对象，即作者认为McDonald’s还是能迎来更多的顾客。因此，本题应选D。
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