McDonalds — MacCoin

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Big Mac, McDonalds is releasing a special coin that allows the holder to purchase a Big Mac in any country around this world. This “food-backed currency” allows the holder to avoid exchange rates between countries and references The Economist’s Big Mac Index as Big Mac’s ability to be essentially identical across the world. Economists may soon be able to teach a whole survey course using tv and movie scenes referencing McDonalds (1, 2, 3).

Thanks to Kim Holder for the clip suggestion:

Just in time for fall semester prep for teaching MACRO, thank you @McDonalds https://t.co/jvTJjJIWqt #MacCoin #EconEd #UWGMacro #BigMacIndex

— Kim Holder (@cubegrl) July 30, 2018

2018 0

McDonald’s — Weak Dollar

In this commercial, office workers are lamenting the apparent weakness of the dollar relative to other currencies. Another worker comes by with a hamburger from McDonald’s $1 menu and the office changes their tunes when they realize that a dollar can buy a whole hamburger.

2018 1

Bedazzled — No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

Elliot (Brendan Fraser) strikes a deal with the Devil (Elizabeth Hurley) in Bedazzled in order to gain the affection of a coworker. In this short clip, Elliot needs proof of the Devil’s power, so he asks for a Big Mac and a large coke. The two proceed to McDonalds, but Elliot ends up having to pay for it himself because there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

2017 1

The Founder — Opening Scene

The Founder is based on the rise of Ray Kroc and the McDonald’s brothers. The opening scene of the movie can be used to talk about a variety of topics in producer theory. Michael Keaton plays entrepreneur Ray Kroc and the opening scene starts with Kroc explaining how fast food establishments can upgrade to a 5-spindle milkshake machine and boost the production of milkshakes at the restaurant. Keaton also goes describes themes that are used in monopolistic competition that focus on firms differentiating their products, perhaps by being able to focus on milkshakes.

Thanks for the submission Ryan Herzog!

2017 1