In the 1970s, McDonald’s faced a dilemma. Their menu had ballooned into a bloated mess—too many options, too much complexity, and no clear focus. Customers were confused. Operations slowed. The brand felt diluted.

So they cut the fat. Literally. They revamped the menu, spotlighting what worked best. The result? Faster service. Higher profits. Stronger identity.

Fast forward to today: Starbucks is slashing 30% of its menu. Same reason. They overbuilt. They tried to be everything to everyone. And now? Customers are overwhelmed. Baristas are frustrated. Sales are stagnating.

The Consumer Playbook

It’s not just fast food. Apple built an empire by offering a simple, focused lineup. In-N-Out Burger sticks to a few core items and consistently wins on customer satisfaction. Less clutter, more clarity.

The Platform Paradox

Now think about software and platforms. Many try to pack in every feature imaginable, thinking more is better. But here’s the kicker—it’s not.

• Complex platforms are hard to sell. Buyers struggle to see value when it’s buried under layers of unnecessary features.

• Users get lost. Too many choices create friction, and according to Hick’s Law, more options mean longer decision times—or no decision at all. Confused customers don’t buy.

Why Simplicity Sells

Whether it’s burgers or business software, the rule is the same. Focus on what matters. Prioritize essentials. Remove the rest.

The best platforms don’t do more. They do less, better.

Starbucks and McDonald’s fixed their businesses by cutting, not adding. Maybe it’s time your platform did the same.

When Simplicity Doesn't Sell

There’s a time and place for everything. Grow too fast, and you risk confusion and inefficiency. Grow too slow, and competitors take your customers.

The easy answer? It depends.

The real solution? Expand when your existing customers are willing to pay for it. If they don’t see value in your new features, neither will new customers. Build for real demand, not hypothetical growth. Every single company that has survived the test of time has built through real value, not valuation.