Is McDowell's copying McDonald's?
By Lena Kovadlo
@lovebuglena (52224)
Staten Island, New York
February 18, 2018 4:04pm CST
When I saw online that a restaurant opened in Queens (NYC) called McDowell's, whose logo is a yellow M and whose signature sandwich is the Big Mick, I immediately thought they are copying McDonald's, and wondered if they are allowed to do that.
The name McDowell's seemed familiar though. I tried to remember where I had heard or seen it before as it wasn't the first time I had come across it. I googled the name and turns out this is the restaurant from the comedy movie Coming to America starring Eddie Murphy, which was released in 1988. That's where Prince Akeem got a job when he came to America and became employee of the month.
7 people like this
7 responses
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
18 Feb 18
I'm surprised they can name a burger, the Big Mick. But, then again, things must have been researched first before they did this. A lawsuit isn't something they'd want to be involved in!
3 people like this
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
19 Feb 18
@lovebuglena I would suspect McDowell to be McDonald's spin off to save on taxes.
2 people like this
@lovebuglena (52224)
• Staten Island, New York
19 Feb 18
In the movie the burger was called the Big Mick and the restaurant McDowell's. Perhaps this restaurant is an homage to the one in the movie. But still, seems like a copy-cat type of thing.
There was a pop-up McDowell's in California and there the waiters were the same uniform as the waiters in the movie. I wonder if the waiters in the restaurant in Queens wear the same outfits.
3 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
19 Feb 18
@lovebuglena Actually, there's no law that says they can't use their own, personal name. McDowell's isn't quite as common, but it's pretty close in spelling
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (209221)
• United States
18 Feb 18
Well, I hope they do better than the real McDonalds who seems to have turned into crap..except for some of their delicious drinks..
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52224)
• Staten Island, New York
19 Feb 18
I am not a fan of McDonald's A few years ago I went to McDonald's, which I never do, only because I was hungry and this was nearby and quick. I got the Big Mac. It was not good at all. I prefer Wendy's and maybe Burger King. Though I am a gourmet burger type of person.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52224)
• Staten Island, New York
19 Feb 18
I wonder what they have to say on this matter. Have they responded to this?
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
19 Feb 18
The Big Mick? 
Is the owner's name McDowell's? I guess it's ok since it is not a hamburger.
Is the owner's name McDowell's? I guess it's ok since it is not a hamburger.@lovebuglena (52224)
• Staten Island, New York
19 Feb 18
It is a burger with all the stuff that a burger has. 
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52224)
• Staten Island, New York
21 Feb 18
@1hopefulman I have no idea.
1 person likes this
