McDonald's starts playing classical music at night to pacify customers, stop fights

Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Although some of the music heard in McDonald's over breakfast recently doesn’t exactly have people lovin’ it, some British outlets of the fast food chain have begun playing classical music at night in effort to stop fights from breaking out.

McDonald's locations in Stockport are relying on Brahms, Beethoven and Bach to help cancel out the beer-filled bellies of its late night customers.

The Stockport council used the same classical music tactic to keep rowdy youths out of an alleyway near Councillor Lane.

"The idea is they would disperse as it's not their scene," said Councillor Philip Harding. "I believed it was successful but it's a bit of a different suggestion inside a business. I like classical music but I'm not sure the patrons of McDonald's do."

A McDonald's spokesman said: “Our first priority is to ensure that our restaurants are safe and welcoming environments for both customers and staff, so we take antisocial behavior very seriously. We work closely with police to prevent incidents and where necessary exclude those who repeatedly cause a nuisance. We have also held meetings with young people and parents to encourage good behavior.”

According to a council spokesman, “The classical music clearly differentiates between the nightclub atmosphere that some customers have just left and the more serene family restaurant that McDonald's aims to provide.”

[The Daily Mail]