McDonalds and Starbucks have invested heavily in developing their brand names and marketing initiatives domestically and internationally. While they both have experienced growing pains, they have also enjoyed the sweet successes learned from each other. While best practices were not always the “buzz word” for some organizations over the years, they did learn from each other in their way. However, like any other business, they may not want to admit that there were lessons learned and practices realized by other businesses which helped them to grow and thrive in various markets. Please take a moment and think about the following question as you prepare to research and write the assignment for this week. How do you think McDonalds and Starbucks were able to establish their brands to fit local markets through architectural design of the stores, their e-commerce strategies and service to accommodate the local markets and culture?

1.     Please explain their approaches individually and determine if there are any differences or similarities.

2.     Do you think Starbucks benefitted from the missteps by McDonalds that you will read about in your research?

3.     You should use reference material from course readings and outside sources when needed to strengthen your argument

4.     Complete your answers in a Word document with APA formatting and submit Assignment