It failed in the market, and, eventually pulled from distribution.
Now, it was a tasty product, as such things go, and, as stated, competitively priced, offered by a lesser-known, yet well-established chain. Yet, in head-to-head sales, the A&W 1/3 lb. burger failed, and failed badly.
Hence a focus group.
Long story short, and skipping snide remarks, the focus group exposed the product's fatal flaw... it was a fraction.
Oh, it was customary to sell fractions, 1/4 lb. burgers, 1/2 lb. burgers, but the 1/3 lb. burger failed.
However, the buying public, the consumer making the optimum decision for return on investment, fractured the math and reached the conclusion that a 1/4 lb. burger (0.11 kg. of meat) was a better investment than a 1/3 lb. burger (0.15 kg. of meat) for the same price.
The common reasoning seemed to be that "4" was greater than "3", therefore, ergo, and to wit, the McDonald's 1/4 lb. burger was more for the dollar than the A&W product.
Keep that in mind the next time that weird guy who used to sit at the desk next to you at a job 20 years ago, the one with the foil hat, sends you a potentially questionable claim about the relative value of some politician or program.
Just some early morning meanderings.
Copyright January 12, 2024 by Donovan Baldwin
