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5. Ronald isn’t clowning around
McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) kicked off its four-week Monopoly-themed promotion on Tuesday.

The fast-good giant attracts diners during this annual campaign as folks collect game pieces depicting the Monopoly board game properties. Matched sets can be exchanged for prizes, though the burger giant offers plenty of instant winner pieces, too.

The reason that Mickey D’s gets singled out is that it’s doing this now. The Monopoly game at McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) has kicked off in late September during the past couple of years. At a time when store-level sales growth has been spotty, this is one way to make sure that comps through July and August remain positive.

Sure, it will have to address the shortfall come late September, but don’t be surprised if that coincides with a seasonally early return of the McRib and other new menu items.

Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz owns shares of Netflix and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. The Motley Fool recommends Baidu, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, McDonald’s, and Netflix. It owns shares of Baidu, McDonald’s, and Netflix.

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