McDonald They can go in one of a few directions from here, as far as I can see it. They can start making their own ketchup, they can move on to another national brand like Hunt's, or they can go with a third-party generic product. As long as they don't go with the ultra-sour metallic tasting stuff they used to give us in my high school cafeteria, I think everything will be just fine.
I can't remember the last time I went to McDonald's for anything other than breakfast and that was only twice in the last couple years so meh.
Most Americans haven't been getting Heinz ketchup at McDonald's anyway -- those little packets are typically McDonald's house brand, and no one really seems to care. The only major US markets where Mickey D currently provides Heinz ketchup are Pittsburgh (home of Heinz) and Minneapolis. The change mostly affects McDonald's in other countries, many of which do use Heinz. Why would McDonald's drop Heinz everywhere? Well, earlier this year, Heinz was acquired by a partnership of 3G Capital and Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. It just so happens that 3G Capital also owns Burger King. Chances are good that Heinz ketchup will still be available at BK.
