McDonald's jumps on Wellness bandwagon

When it comes to wellness, this company has adopted the “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” philosophy.

In an effort to promote some of its meal options as ideal for dieters, McDonald’s recently signed a deal with Weight Watchers.

The fast-food franchise best known for mind-bogglingly high-calorie Big Macs, Double Quarter Pounders with Cheese and Chicken Selects unveiled three meals that have been branded with the Weight Watchers logo in New Zealand.

McDonald’s also plans additional Australian outlets later in the year as part of a six-year push to change its image.

This isn’t the first move the restaurant chain has made to appear more health-conscious. Three years ago, it spent $330,000 to put the Heart Foundation’s logo on several meals.

While McDonald’s New Zealand CEO Mark Hawthorne insists the move is for “a noble cause,” critics feel the franchise has ulterior motives.

Boyd Swinburn, from the Australian Society for the Study of Obesity at Deakin University, said, “Make no mistake, this is about selling more burgers and fries. Mum can go in and feel good about her Weight Watchers meal while she buys the kids burgers.”

Should this effort prove successful, what other strange partnerships should we expect in the future? Atkins approved burritos from Taco Bell? Valerie Bertinelli chowing down on Burger King’s new turkey whopper in a Jenny Craig commercial?