Question

Topic: Customer Behavior

Does Red, Yellow, And Green Make You Eat More?

Posted by Anonymous on 10/25/2005 at 3:42 PM ET 250 Points
After remodeling our cafeteria my boss wants to re-hang the existing curtains that are bright red, yellow, and green, with vertical stripes. We painted the walls using burgundy with a tan/gold rag wash and deep grey almost black speckled effect. There is a 36" board and batten wainscot that is stained like the tan/gold in the walls and the carpet is a mossy green with a tan and black fleck in it. The boss-man wants the red, yellow, green because he says it "is proven to increase your appetite". I think the bright colors are inappropriate for the new earth tone driven decor. HELP!!!
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 10/25/2005 at 4:15 PM Accepted
    Hi skipeneknob,

    Your boss is probably referring to the McDonald's colors red and yellow - here is a link to article that talks about, among other things, how McDonald's has used those colors, including other tidbits that might be useful from a restaurant point of view:

    https://web.syr.edu/~najordan/WRT205/McDonalds.html

    I'm not sure if this source is correct - I have read other research that says they use those loud colors because they promote faster customer turnover (hence "fast food"). You could probably do more research on McDonalds colors on the internet to find out more. However, this is probably where your boss got the idea.

    However, whether or not they are appropriate with earth tones is a different story. The articles doesn't say, but maybe some reds, yellows and greens that are more earthy might have the same qualities but be an easier sell.

    Good luck - hope this helps.
  • Posted by mgoodman on 10/25/2005 at 7:36 PM Member
    Is this really something you want to fall on your sword over?

    I agree with virago that the color combination sounds awful, but is it worth a conflict with your boss? You've given him/her your input. If it's ignored, then let it be.

    And even if we had statistics that seem to prove that there is no difference in how much you eat based on color, would it be worth an argument? Or if the data seem to indicate that there is a difference, would the cafeteria look any better?

    Let it go. Move on to the things that matter.
  • Posted on 10/26/2005 at 3:23 AM Member
    I agree with virago... I recently redesigned my bedroom and initially considered going with a deep shape of orange for my walls. But then I did my research and found out that orange is more ideal for dining areas as it stimulates the appetite.

    It isn't really clear whether you've verbalized your objections to your boss or not... In case you waited for input before going back to him, why don't you do some research (esp. on orange), maybe get the input of a designer, and present all that to him, respectfully?
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