Burger King Case Study Essay

Burger King or McDonalds? In the United States, these two companies equally compete for consumers. Americans usually upgrade maven company over the some other or just choose to eat at whichever is to a greater extent convenient to them. For the American people, Burger King is as vulgar of a household name as McDonalds. However, in Japan, the Burger King brand is one that is not very well known. Burger King has been difficult to tap into the Nipponese grocery store for some time now. McDonalds, KFC, and Pizza Hut are the leading fast fodder market chains as of today, plainly Burger King is trying to make it into this region of the world. With U.S. markets saturated, and the mad cow disease scare slowing sales of Burger King in Europe, it is so important for Burger King to saturate some other market, Japan. Much research has been done to think of new and effective ways to penetrate the Nipponese market through market. Our group of researchers have put unitedly an in depth report on the issues within the marketing of Burger King in Japan. They have discovered the master(prenominal) cause for this need in marketing and what necessitate to be done to solve Burger Kings marketing issues. Situation AnalysisT here(predicate) are many differences between eastern and western sandwich culture regarding the eating place industry. In Western Culture space is to a greater extent easily attainable. It is easier for new companies to take part the market in the restaurant industry because it is more accepting of diversity. Food trends in this culture differ dramatically from eastern culture. In the western culture, significance of food is not greatly valued and is completeered in access creating more waste. The western culture is vast and heterogeneous. Many cultures are accepted creating a vast variety of fusion food sold here in the west culture. In restaurants a bigger variety of different food can be found on the menu. In the Eastern culture, food defines the culture. Each country has its own unique and cultural dishes that signifies the past. The middle easts favorite top meat ingredient is lamb and it is substituted for beef. as well as most of the centre of attention East is Islamic so that means that many of the of their dietary rules are observed because of religious factors. In Asia, food and culture is divided into three main regions southwest (India), southeast (Vietnam) and northeast (Japan). India uses more vegetarian ingredients such as beans, sift, and spices.Vietnam focuses on stir-frying, steaming, orboiling when preparing their food. In Japan, many use the spices they used for their for religious ceremonies. Also in Japan, space is very limited due to overpopulation of people. The Japanese market is maxed out making it very challenging for new companies such as restaurants to enter the restaurant industry. To the Japanese consumer, the significance of food is valued and they feel it is important to not waste it. Th e norm of their culture is to conserve and not let anything go to waste. Food is offered in small portions for this particular reason. Japan has a very homogeneous culture. They are set in the ways that they do things and dont deviate from their way of life. In Japans restaurant industry, it is more common to see rice and vegetables on the menu. In the case study one of the reasons why Burger King is unsuccessful in Japan is because they are trying to push western culture in an eastern market. Burger King doesnt check that they have to tailor their menu to meet the needs of the eastern pallet. They are not offering the foods that appeal to the people of Japan. There are number of other reasons why BK has not make out successful in Japan Weak advertising.Upon researching commercials for Burger King in Japan, it is apparent that their advertising doesnt appeal to their consumer market. Forcing higher(prenominal) prices than their contender (McDonalds).McDonalds has been established for more than 25 years and is the most popular hamburger restaurant. Most consumers are price consciousThere is no market place for them because they havent completely established their brand. BK in Japan does not look like they have established any goals as to how they want to present their brand No differentiation among competitorsThey havent fully achieved brand recognitionTheyre trying to be an upscale restaurant which doesnt fit the market. Targeted market is too narrow only catering to a younger crowd They need to reach out to the older population.The bell of having blast broil grills is not cost effective.BK is hiding the most unique characteristics because its too expensive to build it in front of the restaurant. The cypher promotion cost are beingoverlooked while opening too many stores. BK is just wants to try to take over the competitor market when in reality they are failing.Problem DefinitionThe problem with Japan is brand image. Burger King wants to expand without building a brand that the Japanese consumers are willing to spend extra money for a burger. Analysis of AlternativesFocus on freshnessBurger King has stated that its main focus is producing handed-down burgers. Instead of the typical two pickles and some ketchup, focus on the nutritional value such as fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles. Fix branding image branch themselves as a more upscale restaurant A example, better training of the staff and cleaner facilities. This may avoid burger wars. Appeal to younger genesisStudies have shown that the younger generation is willing to spend more money on nice things. Burger King should try to target this market by decent an upscale burger restaurant. Also, anime commercials may attract a younger crowd. Place flame broiled grills in front of store.With the gas restrictions are becoming more lenient, having customers visibly see how burgers are made will attract more customers and provide free advertisement just by word of mouth. Attract customers by smell.Venting the exhaust from the grill will release the smell of burgers cooking into the public. This could reach the customers 5 sense of smell, touch, see, taste, and hear. All of this elements could attract more customers to a red-hot flame broiled Whopper. Continue integrating Burger King into existing storesBuilding stand-alone restaurants is expensive. By adding small restaurants into high traffic areas (train/gas stations) it will be a great selling location because of the high volume of customers stopping and waiting. Also, land is so scarce in Japan, partnering will help minimize costs and providesa definite location for the restaurant. Adding Japanese influence into store.May become more relatable to the culture so customers will be dining in a comfortable environment. booster showsSponsor physical challenge show comparable to MXC (Most Extreme Elimination). Making the obstacle courses resemble Burger King. Example have some customers confine on Whoppers or placing the Burger King Emblem to help positively advertise working out with burgers. Themes in restaurantThe rock and roll theme is germinal but the drawbacks are that theyll only be known as the rock and roll themed restaurant. A Burger King could be known as a themed restaurant by having different themes in each restaurant. One themed restaurant can have revolving carts where the consumers can sit down and just pick their order off a conveyor belt right by their table. RecommendationTop Recommendation Ranking1. Fixing brand image2. Promote freshness of ingredients3. Adding flame broil grills in front of restaurants4. Integrate Burger King into existing stores such as gas station or train station 5. Focus on Millennial demographic6. Promote Japanese culture in restaurants7. Spend more on promotional advertising8. Attract customers by smell9. Sponsor Shows10. Theme in different restaurantsSWOT AnalysisDuring the research it can be said that Burger King in Japan is tryin g their best to become a real competitor in the fast food industry. I believe that Burger King has the ability to succeed if only better decisions are made. It is explicit that many BK restaurants are being developed in a rapid amount oftime. A Japanese proverb wishing to eat the fugu, but wishing to live too states that Fugu is a delicious fish which has a poison in it which leads to death if eaten, so in order to eat it has to be prepared by a skillful cook who knows how to properly get rid of the poison. This proverb illustrates situation when there is a bit of risk in taking the action and expresses concern about the outcome. In all seriousness, it is a risk to rapidly open BK restaurants without the concern of not stretching its potential goal of succeeding. Burger King Japan needs to sit down and focus on how they want to show the consumer what the BK industry is about. Next, corporate should pick up thinking outside of the box and adding more cultural options instead of bu ns and beef. I have discovered that a black bun burger Kuno Burger has made its way to Japan. Further research on the success needs to be analyzed. Did the consumers like it? Did they know it existed? How did you advertise the sandwich? What will happen if you add rice dishes on the menu? Or fish sandwiches?Also, I believe a way to help Burger King find its target market is by communicate individuals what they would like to see, taste, hear, smell, and touch. Maybe have more events and a taste testing between two competing burger restaurants. One target market can be tourists see Japan. Some tourists are thrilled to see that their comfort zone is all of a sudden changed because of cultural influences. McDonalds has successfully changed its menu to fit more of the consumer needs which has proven to be the top restaurant to beat. Burger King needs to be more aware of their tactics and build a better team to run into out how to attend to all customers from all around the world (whet her the want something familiar or something new).In conclusion, Burger King has to reconsider its standpoint in Japan. It has proved to establish itself successfully in other countries. In the maxed out market economy of Japan, Burger King can has potential to grow. Corporate needs to band together to better figure out the brand image before expanding itself too thin.