What explains McDonald's enviable success? One major factor is the extent to which the company maintains strong controls over most aspects of its operations. These controls have helped McDonald's develop a competitive edge in the form of high product and service consistency. A Big Mac is likely to taste pretty much the same whether we are eating it in Boston or Bangkok. As noted economist Robert J. Samuelson reported in praising McDonald's, his Big Macordered at an outlet in Tokyo did not "merely taste like an American Big Mac" it tasted "exactly the same." Still, the company has allowed room for innovation. How are successful companies such as Mcdonald's able to design and implement effective controls?