# Fastfood Internet McDonald's to Offer Free Wi-Fi, Tries to Corner Starbucks By Brian G Randles | Published 2009-12-17 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-wi-fi References: [csmonitor](http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2009/1216/Free-WiFi-at-McDonald-s-coming-in-2010) & [mcdonalds](http://www.mcdonalds.co.uk/restaurants/whats-on/whats-on-wifi.shtml) It is pretty well known that free Wi-Fi is a key component to garnering customer loyalty. You want a consistent fan base coming to your establishment? You better supply a haven for your customers to show off their latest Apple gear. [Starbucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-coffee-house) is the only company immune to this unwritten rule, but that might soon be changing. [McDonald](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-free-fries-friday)’s is once again hoping to eat up some of the territory claimed by Starbucks by offering free Wi-Fi starting in January of 2010. The good folks at Mickie D’s want their restaurants to serve as local hangouts, but I just can’t imagine a hipster whipping out his [MacBook](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apple-silicon-cost) after chowing down on a quarter-pounder. Check out the full story, and decide for yourself, at the links below. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.0/10 - Popularity: 26% | Activity: 55% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [New Ventures](https://www.trendhunter.com/newventures) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Free Wi-fi:** Providing free Wi-Fi is becoming a key strategy for businesses to attract and retain customers. - **Customer Loyalty:** Creating a welcoming environment, such as offering free Wi-Fi, can help businesses build long-term relationships with their customers. - **Competition with Starbucks:** McDonald's aims to challenge Starbucks by offering free Wi-Fi and transforming their restaurants into local hangouts. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fast Food:** Fast food chains like McDonald's see an opportunity to differentiate themselves and attract customers by providing free Wi-Fi. - **Coffee:** Coffee chains like Starbucks may face increased competition as McDonald's offers free Wi-Fi to lure in customers. - **Technology:** With the rise in demand for free Wi-Fi, there is an opportunity for technology companies to innovate and provide solutions for businesses to offer seamless internet access. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Complimentary QSR Fries Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-free-fries-friday.md) - [Fast Airline Wi-Fi Offerings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aeroplan-members1.md) - [Complimentary QSR Fries Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-fries-friday.md) - [Free Inflight Wi-Fi Perks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-inflight-wi.md) - [Sponsored In-Flight Wi Fi Perks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sponsored-in-flight-wi.md) - [QSR Rewards Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/qsr-rewards-programs.md) - [Virtual Fast-Food Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-filed.md) - [Back-to-School QSR Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-educator-promotion.md) - [Creature-Collecting QSR Incentives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pokestops.md)