In Tilburg, McDonald’s is open for the first time this year during the holidays, and it turns out to be a bull’s eye. While Brabant is enjoying roulades, turkeys or an evening of gourmet dining, the guests of the McDonald’s in Tilburg South didn’t think a quick bite was a bad idea. “I don’t dare say which Christmas dinner I like better,” a man grins, looking at his wife.
“We don’t have that much family to fill two Christmas days and we don’t feel like fussing,” laughs a young visitor who toasts her friend with a coke. “Christmas is becoming less and less about the Christmas spirit, and more and more about food or eating, so we thought: have a nice Maccie pop.”
Done with the kitchen stress
According to franchisee Mathijs Penders, the December crowds play a major role. “The holidays demand more and more of us; of course you already have Sinterklaas, and Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are being celebrated more and more exuberantly,” he says. “Some are simply tired of spending too much time in the kitchen and opt for a simple outing.”
And so it pays off that this franchisee opens his business for the first time during all the holidays. “Look around you, it’s no less packed than on normal days,” he says. “Yesterday was the first time we were open on Christmas Day, it was busier than normal on Thursdays.”
On the way to a fun afternoon
A Breda family joins us: “We have already had two wonderful evenings with the family,” says father. “Tonight we are going to the light safari in the Beekse Bergen. This was on the route.” The children grin enthusiastically: “This is also delicious Christmas food, it was my idea,” says one of them proudly.
At another table sits a mother who admits that this is almost a tradition. “Almost every year my son asks: can we go to Mac on Boxing Day?” She shrugs. “It’s a nice tradition, after busy days of gourmet food and family over. Then we usually go to the cinema in the afternoon and then have a bite to eat here.”
Less glitter, but enjoy
The Kap family from Nieuwendijk has just picked up their son and daughter-in-law from the airport. “We had a wonderful time skiing in Austria,” says my son. “Then you won’t be cooking up an entire gourmet set at home anymore. This is a great way to end the holiday,” he laughs. Father Marius holds his burger in the air while laughing and nods: “Culinary tour de force, this.”
So no shiny tablecloth or candlelight in Tilburg South, but without stress and gourmet smoke in your curtains you will see full bellies and happy faces here. And so a dinner at Mac’s might be quite Christmasy too!