Wendy's Chili Revisited

Chipotle ventured into a new territory when it was created, as it had an innovative vision for fast-casual restaurants. By using fresh and quality ingredients, Chipotle raised the bar in their segment. The service line where customers could see their order being prepared enhanced the experience of Chipotle. Consumers who were used to eating at fast-casual restaurants where the food was frozen and made out of sight were able to savor the uniqueness of Chipotle. These differences helped Chipotle become successful. However, as competitors copy the traits that make Chipotle unique, Chipotle must adapt and overcome in order to remain a profitable company.

The way that Burger King and other fast food restaurant chains do business and markets their products to consumers is due to the change in our society to where the consumer wants the biggest, fastest, and best product they can get for their money. This change in society can be attributed to a process known as McDonaldization. Although McDonaldization can be applied to many other parts of our society, this paper will focus on its impact on Burger King and Taco Bell restaurants. My belief is that the process of McDonaldization has lead our generations toward a more a much more efficient lifestyle, with much less quality. From my observations and studies of these fast food resturants, several themes have become

Throughout all of human history, mankind has searched for the ultimate food. To our enjoyment, in 1950, the world was given the answer: Whataburger. Whataburger has taken the hearts of Americans by storm by by serving classic southern style burgers, fries, and shakes. Despite it’s humble beginnings in Corpus Christi, the franchise now boasts over 750 locations and has even secured the 2016 title of “Best Burger in America”. In an effort to understand why this small burger chain became so successful evaluating this legendary business in three different aspects: price, quality, and customer service.

Notes from AN inexperienced chili taster named FRANK, who was visiting from the East coast:

The McDonald’s “Speedee Service System” launched in 1948 and made meals terribly cheap and fast. In Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser wrote, “The McDonald brothers’ Speedee Service System revolutionized the restaurant business… as word spread about the low prices and good hamburgers.” (20) For the first time, working-class families could afford to buy their children restaurant food. Customers were purchasing their “Pure Beef Hamburger” for 15 cents, and “Tempting Cheeseburger” for 20 cents.

With the demand of fast food on the rise, two rival competitors continue the argument of “Who is better, Zaxby’s or Chick-Fil-A?” Zach McLeroy and Tony Townley founded Zaxby’s in 1990, almost forty-five years after Dan T. Cathy established his first Chick-Fil-A dwarf house in 1946. Since these entrepreneurs started their businesses, their restaurants have popped up all across the country. Both share many similarities while still keeping their individuality, and each company brings in a tremendous amount of revenue each year. Typically, Zaxby’s is open twelve hours a day, seven days a week; Chick-Fil-A’s normal work day is sixteen hours, but they are closed on Sundays. Each restaurant provides both drive through

Although many customers enjoy that Chipotle is sticking to their “Food with Integrity” mission statement, it could prove to be very costly to them and their customers. Chipotle’s food costs are currently higher than the industry average. Per Exhibit 1 of the Chipotle’s article, shows that Taco Bell cost half the amount for the same type cuisine at Chipotle. Chipotle charges higher prices for a fast food store, with the average customer spending approximately $8.50 per visit. It is important to monitor of economic changes of customer spending habits so they are aware of price elasticity and

Feeling good and hungry?, It’s Skyline time. Whenever I feel good and very hungry, I good to Skyline Chili. A place where you can get some great chili spaghetti and a pepsi with a smile. Skyline has been around since 1949 and is still going strong. Today Skylinechili gets around by billboards, TV commercials and by the Cincinnati Reds baseball team.

Changes in customer preferences, general economic conditions, discretionary spending priorities, demographic trends, traffic patterns and the type, number and location of competing restaurants have a moderate effect on the restaurant industry (Chipotle, 2010). One example of customer preferences being a driver in the industry is the “Whole Food-ism Movement” which has put a large focus on organic, antibiotic-free, and non-processed foods (Mansolillo, 2007). Consumers now look for healthier options when eating and an overall healthier lifestyle. Chipotle has been able to benefit from this movement by carrying on their “Food with Integrity” mission (Chipotle, 2010).

Wendy’s created an initial level of excitement that competitors were unable to match. Being known as an originator creates a strong bond between customers.

BK, on the other hand, uses the continuous chain broiler, with a capacity of 8 burgers per chain, where no human intervention is necessary because the patties enter the broiler on one end and come out on other end after 80 seconds. Furthermore, sandwich dressing is standardized at McD’s with lever based dispensers and portion controlled condiments. At BK, sandwich dressing is handled by employees using plastic squeeze bottles without pre-measured quantities. The lack of portion-controlled condiments at BK can result in different taste and quality of products in addition to wastage. Exhibit 5 and 6 reveal the operating results for McD’s and BK, respectively. McD’s is ahead of the game in the sandwich dressing department, Exhibit 6 shows that BK spends 1.1% of their sales in condiments wastage. BK also uses microwave ovens to maintain the “Made to Order” warm and fresh burgers. The use of microwave ovens result in a 2.1% increase in utility cost compared to McD’s. On the other hand, the cost of food at McD’s is 1.9% higher compared to BK because McD’s keeps finished goods inventory in a bin for 10 minutes before they are discarded. In addition, the paper used to wrap the burger contributes to higher food cost of 0.9% at McD’s.

“To better understand consumer preferences in fast food products and the services provided by Wendy’s and the industry as a whole’”

The central thesis of this paper examines the organizational structures of McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendy’s food restaurants. It will examine the comparison and contrast of the organizational structure of McDonalds with Burger King, and Wendy’s Corporations. What functions influence McDonalds, and explains how the organizational design helps determine the structure that best suits McDonalds needs, as a business.

If we look at the fast food industry today there is room for success. Based on RNCOS’ new US Fast Food Market Outlook 2010, fast food industry growth rate is strong. Especially, hamburger sales growth is reported at the healthy rate of 4.6% in 2008. The market is expected to grow to cross the $170 billion marks by 2010.It is believed that due to the economic meltdown, fast food industry is benefiting from people being more prices conscious. People who were enjoying nice means at fancier restaurants are now turning their choice of means to more economical ways.

“In July 2013, the Company announced a system optimization initiative, as part of its brand transformation, which includes a plan to sell approximately 425 company-owned restaurants to franchisees by the end of the first quarter of 2014” (Wendy's 2013 Annual Report, 2014, p.13). All businesses restructure its operations from time to time, and Wendy’s is no different. As a result, the reduction in the amount of company owned restaurants will expose the intellectual capital to more people, which can also begin to hurt the assets that drive revenue for the company. In addition, the less control over the individuals that work in these restaurants can affect the image of the brand, if the intellectual capital is not handled correctly. However, the affect intellectual capital has on the balance sheet of the company will ultimately be the judge of the success of the company’s intellectual