If you haven't read Loren Balsker's first letter to McDonald's, do so.

Here is the response from McDonald's:

February 23, 2006

Ms. Loren Balkser
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX MD 20782

Dear Ms. Balkser:

Thank you for contacting McDonald's recently with your idea for a product or service that you believe would be of interest to us. We appreciate your interest in McDonald's, but we have to return the material you sent us because it is our company's policy not to consider unsolicited ideas from outside the McDonald's system.

It's not that great ideas cannot come from people outside of McDonald's. Each year, however, McDonald's receives thousands of unsolicited ideas and proposals for products and services from individuals as well as companies. Because of the volume of unsolicited ideas and the difficulty of sorting out what is truly a "new" idea as opposed to a concept that has already been considered or developed by McDonald's, we must adhere to a strict policy of not reviewing any unsolicited ideas that come from outside the McDonald's family of employees, franchisees and approved suppliers. We realize that we may be missing out on a few good ideas, but we have had to adopt this policy for legal and business reasons.

As a result, we must decline your invitation to review your submission and hope you understand the reasons for this decision. Enclosed is your original submission.

Again, Ms. Balkser, thank you for thinking of McDonald's.

Sincerely,

Nancy Larraide
Representative
McDonald's Customer Response Center

And here is the next letter from Loren:

March 7, 2006

Dear Nancy Larraide:

Thank you very much for your recent reply to my letter. Let me first say that I am a man, not a “Ms.” You also may not have noticed the “PhD” behind my name. These types of misunderstandings happen from time to time–no hard feelings.

As to your letter, believe me, I understand completely what you are saying and that your policy of not reviewing ideas from “outside the McDonald's family of employees, franchisees and approved suppliers” is a good way to cut out all the crazy ideas (which I'm sure you get a lot of).

However, I'm sure you'll agree that my idea is not a crazy one. In fact, I'm surprised that McDonald's (or one of your competitors) has not already enacted something similar. That being said, I do understand very well how bureaucracy works and it's not too surprising that even McDonald's has some bureaucracy. That is why I am giving you, Nancy, full rights to present this idea as your own creation—because you, as an employee,  are inside “the McDonald's family” and have the right to do so.

Let me also say, for the record, that I am not submitting this idea in the hopes of making any money from McDonald's.  If McDonald's decides to use it, I release them from any responsibility to remunerate me or even credit me. I just think that this is something that could help to heal the nation, and that is something I am very passionate about. If there is any reward to be had from submitting a great idea, I hope you will take advantage of it for yourself. I will not lay claim to any money you might make off this idea and you have my signature below to prove it.

Thank you once again for your time. I look forward to hearing how the idea was received by your superiors.

Sincerely,

MR. Loren K. Balsker, “PhD”
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Attachment: The original letter of January 21, 2006, describing my idea, and your response dated February 23, 2006.