Market Structure: The organization and characteristics of a specific market where a company operates is referred to as market structure. While markets can basically be classified by their degree of competitiveness and pricing, there are four types of markets i.e. perfect competition, monopolistic competition, monopoly, and oligopoly. In perfect competition markets, many firms are price takers whereas monopolistic competition markets are characterized by the ability of some firms to have market power. In contrast, oligopoly markets are those in which few firms can be price makers while monopoly market is where one firm can be a price maker. McDonald's franchise operates in oligopoly market since the fast food industry is one of the major industries with this type of markets. Some of the common features of oligopolistic markets are price rigidity and price war that have significant impacts on the firm's pricing strategies. The reason for the operation of this franchise in oligopolistic markets is that fast food industry is characterized by a small number of large producers or sellers. As a result, every large seller in the industry has a perceptible impact on other sellers as they influence the market. The oligopolistic market structure proves to be very efficient for the franchise in making its pricing decisions and developing and executing its own strategies. Actually, the structure enables McDonalds to know its rivals well and keenly examine their strategies and
There are different types of market structures. For example, pure competition market structure with many sellers and products that are standardized. Monopolistic competition entails firms selling similar products but not identical. Many sellers compete for buyers. Oligopoly another market structures where few firms dominate. Monopolies are the single entity that supplies the market. It is when Monophony has more buyers than sellers controlling the market. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck provides excellent data. Through the farmers, decision from the banks and in farms it explores the market
McDonald's has successfully created a brand/name for itself as the leading fast food retailer in the world. It is somewhat of impossibility for one to not come across a McDonald's with over 30,000 local restaurants in over 100 countries (McDonald's, 2011). Those restaurants are owned either by a franchise owner or a corporation; a percentage of all the earnings from a franchise owner, including a percentage from their annual revenue go to McDonald's.
Two different market structures are monopoly and oligopoly. Oligopoly is a type of monopoly but isn’t exactly the same. Monopoly is the structure that most businesses have which doesn’t have much competition. Oligopoly is a rather difficult business structure for new companies to join.
There are four types of market structures: Monopolistic Competition, Monopoly, Oligopoly, and Perfect Competition. Monopolistic Competition is also known as competitive market. In this market structure, there are a large number of firms that produce similar but somewhat differentiated products for the same target customers. The market share is also divided among large number of firms making it difficult for one firm to become the market leader. On the other hand, Monopoly is a type of market structure in which only one firm controls the whole industry. There are strict barriers to entry for new firms due to governmental restrictions or the monopolistic power of the firm itself. In Oligopoly, the whole industry is dominated by a few large scale firms that set prices, introduce innovative products, and use heavy campaigns to attract buyers. All other small scale firms follow the changing market patterns set by these oligopolistic firms. Lastly, perfect competition is a market structure in which there are a larger number of firms that produce similar as well as differentiated products for
Market structure is the physical characteristics of the market within which companies react. This means that there are different kinds of market structure based on how companies work together within a particular industry. Location and product have the most to do with determining the market structure. There are four defined market types. The first market structure is called the perfectly competitive market. The second market is called a monopoly market structure. The third market is called monopolistic competition market structure. The final market is called oligopoly market structure. Each market structure is different and both benefits and disadvantages
Explain the most important characteristic in perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, and monopolies and relate the characteristic to how these firms can make profits in the short run. In your analysis, make sure to relate an example for each of the market structures listed and how it relates to the particular characteristics.
Firms within the fast food industry fall under the market structure of perfect competition. Market structure is a classification system for the key traits of a market. The characteristics of perfect competition include: large number of buyers and sellers, easy entry to and exit from the market, homogeneous products, and the firm is the price taker. Many fast food franchises fit all or most of these characteristics.
REFERENCES•www.mcdonalds.com, accessed on 18 July, 2008•www.mcdonldsindia.net, accessed on 18 July, 2008•en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald's, accessed on 19 July, 2008•http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/263943/mcdonalds_strategic_marketing_mix.html?cat=4, accessed on 19 July, 2008•www.kfc.com, accessed on 25 August, 2008
Comparing McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s I started to see some interesting aspects to their marketing strategies. First by focusing on their main economic characteristics, secondly looking more in depth at the competition and driving forces, and lastly their key success factors. They have been striving to make changes to increase market shares as well as trying to dominate a global fast food industry by competing in the products, places, prices, and promotions they offer and geographic markets as well. These competitors mature at different life cycles whether it be from growing in the existing market opportunities, developing new diversification into related business striking for sustainable growth, or
The central thesis of this paper examines the organizational structures of McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendy’s food restaurants. It will examine the comparison and contrast of the organizational structure of McDonalds with Burger King, and Wendy’s Corporations. What functions influence McDonalds, and explains how the organizational design helps determine the structure that best suits McDonalds needs, as a business.
Firms within the fast food industry fall under the market structure of perfect competition. Market structure is a classification system for the key traits of a market. The characteristics of perfect competition include: large number of buyers and sellers, easy entry to and exit from the market, homogeneous products, and the firm is the price taker. Many fast food franchises fit all or most of these characteristics.
The second force that acts on the industry is the threat of new entrants. Fortunately for McDonald’s and it’s over 30,000 restaurants world-wide, the corporation has set itself in a position of dominance. Using a growth strategy, “McDonald’s is continuously expanding its reach which makes it increasingly difficult for new fast food restaurants to enter the industry, through franchising, McDonald’s is able to reach nearly every corner of the globe” (Shell, Ellen Ruppel).
Since McDonald’s is the most well know fast food chain in the world with a market cap of 69.35 billion, brand recognition is their biggest strength. The secret of McDonald’s success is its willingness to innovate and maintain consistency in the operation of its many outlets. In recent years McDonald’s has introduced Premium Salads, Snack Wraps, fresh Apple Dippers in the United States, and Corn Cups in China. Also, McDonald 's products are priced so low that economic conditions are almost insignificant.
On the other hand, buyers were more increasingly focusing on value and healthy foods. This condition can force McDonald and its competitor to offer product innovation that can attract the buyers and match with the buyers' requirements.
McDonald’s is a global chain of Quick Serve Restaurant as well as with other fast food restaurant such as KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut and other, however we can conclude that McDonald’s is much more popular than others. All these global brands are completely a strong brand which is hard for other new entrants to give threat. Although all the global brands are strong enough in fast food industries, they cannot feel so comfortably because new entrants can appear with new phenomena. Therefore, to keep this away McDonald’s has to develop strategies as what been said before.