How would I explain this games never changing formula?

[Kosmos992k]

Not to detract from the point but here at least burger places (both large chains and small businesses) no longer just carry burgers on the menu offering things like hotdogs, nacho's, salads, and various other fast food products due to trying to boost business with a broader appeal than a new sauce or an extra patty.

Yes, and as with most businesses that over diversify, they will ultimately refocus on their core business of burgers...

[Yurimi]

Yes, and as with most businesses that over diversify, they will ultimately refocus on their core business of burgers...

As it has been an expanding menu for well over a decade at both big chains (mcdonalds, wendy's, A&W, DQ, Burger King etc) and small businesses around my place, I would say that it has been at least somewhat successful as they continue to do it as they have for years.

Edit: To kind of make this a solid point in my area Mcdonalds is (at least for the drive-thru) open all night, between the hours of 4am-11am they do not sell burgers (unless it is slow and they dont mind making you one specially), you only have their breakfast menu which consists of egg mcmuffins, bacon, eggs, french toast, waffles, hashbrown patties etc. This practice is also mirrored by another burger place A&W who also does not serve unless specifically for you upon request, burgers. Mcdonalds a while ago introduced salads that are still on their menu today. A local burger shop started doing nacho's a few years ago and they are probably the best nacho's I can get in the city and from friend who is a server there they are apperently extremely popular.

[Kosmos992k]

As it has been an expanding menu for well over a decade at both big chains (mcdonalds, wendy's, A&W, DQ, Burger King etc) and small businesses around my place, I would say that it has been at least somewhat successful as they continue to do it as they have for years.

McDonalds only significant business growth in recent yeras has come on the back of extending their breakfast menu to 24 hours. Other than that they have been chipped away at by other smaller nimbler chains offering something new, such as Chipotle. The same is true of the others. McD's occasionally brings a new 'product', but almost without exception they are burgers in structure. McRib? a pork burger with BBQ sauce. Sirloin Burgers, a way of charging twice as much for a burger by selling...another burger. Chicken whether battered, breaded or grilled on a bun - it's just another form of burger, or as McD's term their burgers...sandwiches.

Burger King - the same sort of thing; Wendy's, same again; etc...

Chipotle offers what it offers, Genghis Grill offers it's thing, Corky's BBQ is still BBQ, Outback is steaks, Lonestar is steaks, Grand Panda buffet is still a Chinese food buffet, Red Robin is still a burger joint with presumptions of grandeur...

[Yurimi]

McDonalds only significant business growth in recent yeras has come on the back of extending their breakfast menu to 24 hours. Other than that they have been chipped away at by other smaller nimbler chains offering something new, such as Chipotle. The same is true of the others. McD's occasionally brings a new 'product', but almost without exception they are burgers in structure. McRib? a pork burger with BBQ sauce. Sirloin Burgers, a way of charging twice as much for a burger by selling...another burger. Chicken whether battered, breaded or grilled on a bun - it's just another form of burger, or as McD's term their burgers...sandwiches.

Burger King - the same sort of thing; Wendy's, same again; etc...

Chipotle offers what it offers, Genghis Grill offers it's thing, Corky's BBQ is still BBQ, Outback is steaks, Lonestar is steaks, Grand Panda buffet is still a Chinese food buffet, Red Robin is still a burger joint with presumptions of grandeur...

Starbucks is no longer just a coffee shop it sells sandwhiches (both artisian sandwiches and regular variety on top of breakfast sandwhiches) and various other snacks
Mcdonalds here used to not have McNuggets, is a chicken nugget a burger? Same with the breakfast menu is a plate of eggs and bacon a burger? It wasn't always there.
A&W chubby chicken family started as only chicken strips before they started adding the chubby chicken burger due to popularity (anyone else old enough to remember chubby chicken as a limited time deal?)
Wendy's started adding "healthy options" such as salads, yogurts as well as various other things here
DQ has recently been doing a push through advertising on their hotdogs and poutines here as well as their staple ice creams.
BK now has a side menu at least locally that has an array of products not burger related such as again salads, smoothies, and even things such as fresh fruits
As someone who actually worked at a red robin here I can assure you their menu is FOREVER changing and some things that have shown to be popular have stayed on throughout the years.
Subway here added soups a few years back and personal pizza's a couple years ago.
Tim hortons is no longer just in the business of donuts either so there is that too

[Skotie]

McDonalds only significant business growth in recent yeras has come on the back of extending their breakfast menu to 24 hours.

McDonald's lost business with me awhile ago. I don't like fast food much period but I preferred Burger King since I feel like the burgers taste slightly better if I need to grab something real quick. The 24 hour breakfast lie almost roped me back in until I found out it's only SELECT breakfast items which are offered 24 hours. For example I can't get a sausage biscuit with egg anytime of the day, because heating up a biscuit it so much harder than a english muffin I guess *rolls eyes*. I just really liked their biscuit sandwiches.