A Brief Note On The Fast Food Industry Essay

Fast food is very popular amongst today’s society. Fast Food Nation has reasons for the explosion in popularity of fast food restaurants in the mid-1900’s. It also explains negative effects on American Culture in today’s society. The fast-food industry has multiplied across America and changed the food industry. Eric Schlosser describes in Fast Food Nation the way people think about what they eat and what people think of the fast food industry, and also its impact on society.

Working in a slaughter house is one of the most dangerous jobs on earth. Workers in these factories risk their lives and limbs on a daily basis, all the while making the factory owner's rich. These blue collar jobs are becoming increasingly dangerous as can be seen in both “The Jungle” to the “Fast Food Nation”. Through both the works of Upton Sinclair's “The Jungle”, written in 1906, and Eric Schlosser’s “Fast Food Nation”,, published in 2001 it is clear that the behind-the-scenes picture of the meat-packing industry, not much has changed in the past hundred years.

Fast food, in today’s society, has become a major part of individuals’ lives. For it’s easy, quick and cheap food. While any meal with low preparation time can be considered to be fast food, typically it is referred to as low quality, prepackaged foods that have little preparation time. Through further research of fast food restaurants and their role in the obesity epidemic in America, it lead to further conclusions on the need for changes that must be done in order to combat obesity. There are, however, multiple individuals who feel that the fast food industry is simply taking a toll on Americans and their health. For instance, the article “Don’t blame the Eater” explains the battle of fast food chains in America, and the major causes of this epidemic. Obesity in America, costs the United States about 147 billion dollars annually. In a recent article, Author Eric Finkelstein, a researcher for Triangle Park conducted a study in which explains the multiple causes and affects of fast food chains and its role in creating an unhealthy society. Considerably, “The Effect of Fast food Restaurants on Obesity”, an in depth article written by authors Janet Currie, Stefano DellaVigna, Enrico Moretti and Vikram Pathania, share their studies and findings on how fast food chains are indeed a major player in obesity across the country, as well as a leading player in the up rise in health related illnesses. There is a connection between neighborhood scarcity and fast food industries.

This book discusses the fast-food industry and seeks to describe the impact of the industry on the U.S. economy and society. Also, it talks about the guys who has been investigating the fast food industry for many years. From his broad research, he has uncovered an abundance of little-known, frequently unsettling truths about the fast food industry.

The fast food industry in the US is witnessing the increasingly fierce competition among Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Jimmy’s egg and KFC. In addition, consumers increasingly favored foods clean and healthy. Foreseeing this need, numerous popular fast food restaurants sprung up promptly. The first Chipotle restaurant is opened in 1993 by Steve Ells in Colorado. On the contrary, McDonald’s is founded by McDonald’s family with a long history as well as one of the oldest brand in America. My paper will explain the similarities and differences in their three characteristics between Chipotle and McDonald’s, both of them are large enterprises in the fast food industry which have large market shares. Then, I also give opinions to differentiate

‘Fast Food Nation’ by Eric Schlosser traces the history of fast food industry from old hot dog stands to the billion dollar franchise companies established as America spread its influence of quick, easy and greasy cuisine around the globe. It is a brilliant piece of investigative journalism that looks deep into the industries that have profited from the American agriculture business, while engaging in labor practices that are often shameful.

From a study completed by Chicago-based Research International USA completed a study called “Fast Food Nation 2008. The panel consisted of 1,000 respondents of ages 16-65 who provided their inputs with an online survey which was conducted between March 13 through 2008. Which was based on results on fast food restaurants like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s are gaining popularity even through the economic hardship and recession. Marketing strategy has become more of influence on kids and young American’s. As population grows and the demand increases of fast food restaurants are expanding their stores to capturing more consumers. Fast food chains are also willing to change their menus to continue to gain and retain repeating customers.

The fast food industry has helped to bring to light various economic situations and the industry can be dissected in terms of economic analysis. To begin with the fast food industry helps to bring to light the controversial topic of unionization of workers. Another controversial topic that the fast food industry helps to dissect and make more understandable is the idea of advertisement that targets certain age groups and the idea of globalization. Moreover, businesses within the fast food industry help to determine the type of competition under which the whole industry operates and how businesses within the industry make their profits. The fast food industry operates under a wide range of common economic situations and the fast food industry helps to generate discussion and analysis of the economy as a

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. is considered part of the fast-casual and high quality food restaurant industry. The fast casual industry is today the fastest growing segment of the restaurant industry. The definition of a fast casual restaurant is an establishment that promises rapid service, higher quality foods, and a more enjoyable atmosphere than that usually offered at a typical fast food restaurant. (Analysis of Strategic move by Chipotle- book). Therefore this industry is poisoned right in between the fast food restaurant and casual dining restaurant industry. It is considered part of the fast food due to the following qualities; high-speed service, self-service, simple menu, no drive-thru provided. The casual dining due to the higher quality

The discussion of “ How Major Restaurant Chains Plans Their Menus” describes and offered readers with restaurant chains priorities when it come to planning the menu. The report presents the three major priorities of most fast food restaurants: sales, profitability, and preparation ease; moreover, it explains the view of fast food corporations on the subject of healthy food. The fast food outlets are not willing to replace the more profitable products for less profitable products despite the consumer’s demands and health. In addition, the report demonstrates the parallel relationship between profits and the type of food being served. The source is dependable considering there are multiple authors, whose are experts in the subject, whose wrote

McDonald's is seeking to diversify its product offerings and establish a 'classier' image as a company. It is also seeking to satisfy the needs of a more diverse customer base. To do so, it can expand its southwestern chicken offerings. It already features a sandwich with a southwestern flair and chipotle snack wraps. Offering a new chicken burger with salsa and Monterey Jack cheese and 'special edition' fries with southwestern seasoning and salsa dipping sauce would appeal to Latino consumers who are already loyal patrons of the chain, and to the larger American public, which is newly-infatuated with 'Tex-Mex' cuisine (Helm 2010). This type of sale could be considered 'low-hanging fruit.' McDonald's already has a substantial customer base amongst Latino customers. Fast food customers in general are enthusiastic consumers of Americanized Mexican food, as manifested in the popularity of Taco Bell. And McDonald's southwestern products are already popular sellers.

This case study determines the critical success factors used by Subway Restaurants Corporation to expand nationally, which the corporation wants to use also to expand internationally. In addition, this paper describes the competition and the prospect success in Asia-Pacific and Latin America. In general, the fast food industry is discovered with respect to the history and future plans of fast food chain Subway international for expanding and accretion in Asia-Pacific and Latin America, containing the four factors that Subway should use to compete and success in those markets. Each proposed country market has unique cultural and religious requirements should be realized by Subway, as well as the consumption patterns, market trends, and the franchise values which determine from the local traditional fast food compared to the viewpoint of Subway’s healthy alternatives and low expansion costs.

The fast food industry is expanding globally over the years despite of downturns in national economies. Due to the rapid growth and success of the service, issues such as workers’ right, pay levels and conditions of work are often questioned. While fast food industries has expanded globally and become multinational corporations (MNCs),to what extent they are able to impose common employment practices on diverse national systems of labor legislations?(Royle, Towers 2002) This essay shall discuss about the similarities and differences between work and employment relations in the fast food industries. The country that will be discussed is Singapore, Germany and the United States. The

Even if Burger King covers a large number of countries all around the world, the international brand depends heavily on the United States’ market which represents 60% of its sell points and about 68% of its revenues. Even though America is great for Burger King’s market success, that dependence can represent problems if the brand undergoes a local recession, social claims or regulation changes. The international franchises are also dependent on a few distributors. Both dependencies create weaknesses and increase risk of disruption in Burger King’s supply and distribution network.

Is fast food getting to be a problem? Many people love fast food but do not even now what it does to their body. There is getting to be more and more evidence that fast food is bad for people. Just about every day there is somebody that is going to the hospital because of all the fast food they eat. People may not like fast food because it is unhealthy, targets children, and exploits animals.