fast food industry essay

Fast Food Industry in the US

According to studies conducted in the last 30 years, America continues to lead other countries in the consumption of fast food. Indeed, it is no secret that the country has the largest industry in the world offering fast food to people in over 120 countries (Burstein 34). In the U.S., it is estimated that an average person eats more than three meals from a fast food joint in one week.

Most people rely on fast food because of the positive benefits associated with their consumption. However, rarely will people pause to reflect on the negative effects of eating such meals.

Although the fast food industry has numerous benefits to individuals and the economy, it has nonetheless several challenges that need urgent attention. This paper will discuss the fast food industry in the US with an emphasis on the positive as well as the negative impacts it has on American economy.

The fast food industry has placed America on the world map. The talk about burgers, hotdogs has become the iconic chat of the American culture. Indeed, it has made popular the lifestyle of America in the midst of other nations. In addition, the industry has been of immense benefit to the U.S economy.

According to Schlosser, “Americans now spend more money on fast food than on higher education, personal computers, computer software, or new cars” (Schlosser 3). The industry had improved a great deal compared to what it was in 1945, when “cars, education, and farming were the largest sectors of the economy” (Schlosser 4). It is estimated that the fast food sector has created not less than 3.5 million jobs for American citizens.

The fast food industry has transformed towns, from small ones to busy cities. For example, the growth of Anaheim, from a small town to a huge and busy city, has been attributed to the advent of fast food. Another benefit of the industry is that it has rejuvenated competition within itself. Ray Kroc referred top the fast food industry as “the American way of survival of the fittest” (Schlosser 37).

This shows that, at its peak, the industry has created intense rivalry. This spirit of competition has been healthy for the American economy in that it has produced massive employment. In addition, it has helped several businesses to flourish with little risks (Burstein 37).

Despite the economic effects of the fast food industry, there are also numerous challenges that are prevalent in this sector. It has pushed the desire for more production of wheat as well as organic food products. The growth of companies such as ConAgra and IBP, have left many farmers jobless. From an historical background, it is well known that farmers play a key role in food security.

However, the growing number of agricultural companies has done away with the habitual notion of the village farmer and his small farm. From this perspective, it is clear that the fast food industry is slowly changing the American way of life (Jakle and Sculle 22).

The American culture has become a lazy one. Currently, many expectations are placed on households. This pushes people to spend long hours in their places of work or in family or other related commitments, all, which require peoples’ attention. Based on such demands of modern-day life, many people consider fast food convenient (Wilk, 12).

As a result, people are now living a lifestyle that can be christened as “a convenience culture” (Mooij and Mooij 324). Indeed, it is a fact that convenience has become the driving force behind many decisions. Therefore, as households spend more time on business or family related activities, fast food becomes an option as it saves time and energy.

However, the idea of convenience is diminished by the lazy culture that has infiltrated the American people. The time one takes to prepare a meal can contribute to exercising ones muscles. Nowadays, some people even purchase their meals from inside their cars (Lankford 8).

Another significant observation on fast food is that it has seen a dramatic increase in obesity cases. Foods such as burgers have high levels of fat. In addition, soft drinks that accompany fast food meals are saturated with sugar. These are taken in abundance in American society, and are the leading causes of obesity. Obesity is the newest killer threat in America, as it comes along with other health complications.

In conclusion, the fast food industry has been growing at a very fast rate in the American society. Many people cite convenience as a reason why they prefer fast food to traditional ones. As highlighted above, the negative effects of these foods are adverse. An obese nation is a lazy nation. Children are becoming obese at a very tender age, increasing chances of contracting diseases such as heat attack and diabetes.

The economic consequences of treating these diseases cannot be empathized. As discussed above, the industry is a key player in stimulating the economy.

However, it is also important to question the rationale of earning a decent salary, while at the same time sending people to graves at a very young age due to diseases that can be avoided. It is important that people are educated on the need to prepare their meals and take balanced diet. Education is the key to a healthy living, and this can mitigate the negative effects from this industry.

Works Cited

Burstein, John. Fast Food: Slowing Us All Down. New York: Crabtree Publishing Company, 2008. Print.

Jakle, John and Sculle Keith. Fast Food: Roadside Restaurants in the Automobile Age. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 2007. Print.

Lankford, Ronnie. Junk Food. Michigan: Gale, 2010. Print.

Mooij, Marieke and Mooij, K. Marieke. Consumer Behavior and Culture: consequences for global marketing. New York: SAGE. Print.

Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2006. Print.

Wilk, R. Richard. Fast Food/slow Food: the cultural economy of the global food system. New York: Rowman Altamira., 2009. Print.

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Home Essay Samples Food Fast Food

Cause and Effect of Fast Food: the Impact on Health and Society

Table of contents, causes of fast food consumption, effects on physical well-being, cultural and societal impact, economic considerations, promoting healthier lifestyles, conclusion: balancing convenience and health.

• Ludwig, D. S., Peterson, K. E., & Gortmaker, S. L. (2001). Relation between consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and childhood obesity: a prospective, observational analysis. The Lancet, 357(9255), 505-508.
• Malik, V. S., Pan, A., Willett, W. C., & Hu, F. B. (2013). Sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain in children and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 98(4), 1084-1102.
• Story, M., Kaphingst, K. M., Robinson-O'Brien, R., & Glanz, K. (2008). Creating healthy food and eating environments: policy and environmental approaches. Annual Review of Public Health, 29, 253-272.
• Stuckler, D., McKee, M., Ebrahim, S., & Basu, S. (2012). Manufacturing epidemics: the role of global producers in increased consumption of unhealthy commodities including processed foods, alcohol, and tobacco. PLOS Medicine, 9(6), e1001235.
• World Health Organization. (2016). Report of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity. WHO Press.

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The Fast Food Industry, Essay Example

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Present a reasoned argument for and against the fast food industry in the US. You may include the advantages such as economic and social advantages, along with the disadvantages including increases in obesity, types of employment, etc.

Fast food consumption in America has risen over the last decades. Consumers spend a good amount of money on fast food rather than cooking inside the home most of the time(Jekanowski, Binkley, & Eales, 2001). This lends to assumptions and research facts regarding the concept of advantages and disadvantages in the fast food industry.

Advantages of the Industry

Fast Food Businesses

The fast food industry offers advantages to businesses, individual consumers, and the economy in the U.S. Fast food businesses benefit from the industry in the way of profits received from the demand for fast food by the public. Fast food businesses use promotional strategies to increase sales and thus increase their profits. For example, McDonald’s is known for using “in-your-face” strategies that include having McDonald’s restaurants in many different locations where “people live, work, play, or gather”(Jekanowski, Binkley, & Eales, 2001, p. 59). According to an article in Forbes , fast food restaurants have very lucrative per-store profits every year. For instance, Chick-fil-A grosses an average $3.1 million per store each year. McDonald’s is in second place with $2.6 million in sales per store, and Jason’s Deli is in third place with $2.55 million per store(Tice, 2013).

Individual Consumers

While fast food businesses profit from consumer spending on fast food, the individual consumer benefits from the fast food industry in the way of convenience and accessibility. Consumers assess prices of food products, but they also assess the time it takes to obtain the food for consumption. This refers to “time costs incurred when purchasing and consuming food” (Jekanowski, Binkley, & Eales, 2001, p. 60).Time cost is important to consumers and they benefit from fast food because it allows them to get food faster than having to cook it at home. Also, there are so many fast food choices in the U.S. today that it is very accessible, so there is no fear of not having choices when it comes to fast food. Another advantage of the fast food industry for consumers is employment (HNC, 2014).

The Economy

The advantages of the fast food industry for the economy is that it promotes economic development, and consumer spending, which stimulates the economy. This is particularly true because fast food sales in the U.S. contribute to the buy local movement, which impacts the flow of money in the country. This has an economic impact by keeping the economy going. In addition, the economy benefits from the high volume of dollars spent in the fast food industry, because it stimulates currency circulation in the country by which more people can benefit, such as the restaurant owners and workers getting paid to take care of their expenses, families, and lifestyles(Schwartz, 2009).

Disadvantages in the Industry

As stated, the fast food industry also has it disadvantages, which largely affect consumers in the way of health problems that stem from the unhealthy contents of most fast foods. Fast food often has high levels of cholesterol, sodium, Trans fats and saturated fats, which lead to heart disease, obesity and other health issues(HNC, 2014). Eating fast food on the run has replaced traditional sit-down dinners that were cooked at home for the family. Unfortunately, many children are fed fast foods more often than having the benefits of home cooked meals(Jekanowski, Binkley, & Eales, 2001). Additionally, fast food consumption has been proven to contribute to obesity and the health conditions that stem from being obese. Studies show that consuming fast food two or more times a week is associated with a 31% higher risk of abdominal obesity in men and a 25% higher risk in women(Jaworowska, Blackham, Davies, & Stevenson, 2013). Another study by the Journal of the Medical Association (2010) revealed that the obesity rate in the United States has doubled since 1970 until now, which is now one-third of Americans. Additionally, the number of Americans who are overweight but not yet classified as obese is two-thirds of the people in the country(Hojjat, 2015). In other words, 60% of Americans are overweight and 30% have gone past that to obesity.

Health issues resulting from fast food consumption has a negative economic impact on the country, because it is associated with higher health and medical costs. Disease and conditions related to unhealthy diets and obesity raises healthcare and health insurance costs. In addition, it causes increased disability insurance premiums and premature deaths. It also causes work absenteeism and lost productivity in the working sector because people are sick. This is due to individual decisions to make unhealthy choices with poor diets and lack of exercise and other unhealthy life behaviors(Hojjat, 2015).

The fast food industry is both a blessing and a curse, it seems, as there are some advantages; however, the disadvantages seem to outweigh the advantages to individuals and the economy, as it pertains to healthcare costs. This is particularly true when the disadvantages affect the nation’s children. Research shows that the fast food industry has attempted to change some menu items to healthier choices, but the problems outlined here remain(Jaworowska, Blackham, Davies, & Stevenson, 2013).

HNC. (2014). Pros and Cons of Fast Food . Retrieved from http://healthnewschannel.net/Disadvantages-Of-Fast-Food.html

Hojjat, T. A. (2015). The Economic Analysis of Obesity. Review of Business & Finance Studies, 6 (1), 81-98.

Jaworowska, A., Blackham, T., Davies, I. G., & Stevenson, L. (2013, May). Nutritional challenges and health implications of takeaway and fast food. Nutrition Reviews, 71 (5), 310-318.

Jekanowski, M. D., Binkley, J. K., & Eales, J. (2001). Convenience, Accessibility, and the Demand for Fast Food. Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 26 (1), 58-74.

Schwartz, J. D. (2009, June 11). Buying Local: How It Boosts the Economy . Retrieved from Time: http://content.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1903632,00.html

Tice, C. (2013). Million-Dollar Burger — The Most Lucrative Fast-Food Restaurants . Retrieved from Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2013/08/30/million-dollar-burger-the-most-lucrative-fast-food-restaurants/

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101 Fast Food Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Fast food is a popular topic for essays, as it offers a wide range of issues to discuss. From the health impacts of fast food to the environmental consequences of its production, there are countless angles to explore. If you're looking for inspiration for your next essay on fast food, here are 101 topic ideas and examples to get you started:

• The rise of fast food culture in America
• The impact of fast food on childhood obesity
• The economics of the fast food industry
• The environmental impact of fast food packaging
• The ethics of fast food marketing to children
• Fast food and food deserts in low-income communities
• The health risks of consuming fast food regularly
• The history of fast food chains like McDonald's and Burger King
• The relationship between fast food and mental health
• The globalization of fast food chains
• Fast food and its effects on the planet's climate
• The role of fast food in shaping cultural norms around food
• The future of fast food and the rise of plant-based options
• Fast food and its impact on agricultural practices
• The social justice implications of fast food labor practices
• Fast food and its ties to food addiction
• The role of fast food in shaping urban landscapes
• Fast food and its impact on food waste
• The connection between fast food and chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease
• Fast food and its role in shaping dietary trends
• The influence of fast food on food policy and regulation
• The relationship between fast food and income inequality
• Fast food and its impact on food insecurity
• The cultural appropriation of traditional foods by fast food chains
• The role of fast food in shaping consumer preferences
• Fast food and its influence on food advertising
• The impact of fast food on animal welfare
• The connection between fast food and factory farming
• Fast food and its role in the obesity epidemic
• The marketing tactics used by fast food chains to target children
• The impact of fast food on the gut microbiome
• Fast food and its impact on mental health disorders like depression and anxiety
• The relationship between fast food and sleep disorders
• Fast food and its ties to food insecurity in developing countries
• The role of fast food in shaping dietary patterns in low-income communities
• Fast food and its impact on soil erosion and deforestation
• The connection between fast food and water pollution
• Fast food and its ties to antibiotic resistance
• The influence of fast food on food waste and recycling practices
• Fast food and its impact on marine ecosystems
• The relationship between fast food and foodborne illnesses
• The connection between fast food and the rise of superbugs
• Fast food and its role in shaping consumer demand for convenience
• The impact of fast food on the mental health of food service workers
• Fast food and its ties to income inequality and social mobility
• The role of fast food in shaping dietary trends among millennials
• The connection between fast food and social media influencers
• Fast food and its influence on body image and eating disorders
• The relationship between fast food and food safety regulations
• Fast food and its impact on child labor practices in developing countries
• The connection between fast food and agricultural subsidies
• The influence of fast food on food waste and food loss
• Fast food and its ties to deforestation and habitat destruction
• The impact of fast food on water scarcity and water pollution
• The relationship between fast food and air pollution
• Fast food and its role in shaping consumer demand for convenience and immediacy
• The connection between fast food and the rise of food delivery services
• The influence of fast food on food prices and inflation
• Fast food and its impact on food quality and nutritional value
• The role of fast food in shaping dietary patterns and food preferences
• The relationship between fast food and food insecurity in urban areas
• Fast food and its ties to social inequality and discrimination
• The impact of fast food on mental health and well-being
• The connection between fast food and the rise of food allergies
• The influence of fast food on food waste and food packaging
• Fast food and its role in shaping consumer demand for convenience and speed
• The relationship between fast food and food safety regulations and inspections
• The connection between fast food and the rise of foodborne illnesses and outbreaks
• The influence of fast food on food advertising and marketing
• Fast food and its impact on food access and affordability
• The role of fast food in shaping dietary patterns and food choices
• The relationship between fast food and the rise

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Essay on Fast Food

Students are often asked to write an essay on Fast Food in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Fast Food

Introduction.

Fast food is a type of meal that people often eat because it’s quick, convenient, and tasty. These meals are usually served at restaurants, drive-thrus, or take-outs.

Popularity of Fast Food

Fast food is popular worldwide. It’s often the go-to option when people are busy or don’t have time to cook. Fast food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and KFC are famous globally.

Health Implications

Despite its popularity, fast food is often unhealthy. It’s typically high in fats, sugars, and salts which can lead to health problems like obesity and heart disease if consumed regularly.

While fast food is convenient and tasty, it’s important to eat it in moderation due to its potential health risks.

Also check:

• Paragraph on Fast Food
• Speech on Fast Food

250 Words Essay on Fast Food

Fast food, a term that has become synonymous with contemporary urban lifestyle, is a phenomenon born out of our fast-paced lives. It refers to food that is prepared and served quickly, often in a packaged form for take-out.

The Allure of Fast Food

Fast food chains, with their convenience and affordability, have become a ubiquitous part of our global landscape. The allure lies in their ability to cater to our increasingly time-pressed lives, providing quick, tasty meals at the click of a button or a short queue at the drive-thru.

However, this convenience comes with a price. Fast food is often high in calories, saturated fats, sugar, and salt, leading to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other lifestyle-related diseases. The ease of accessibility and the addictive taste of fast food can lead to overconsumption, creating a vicious cycle of poor dietary habits and health problems.

Environmental Impact

Fast food’s environmental footprint is another concern. The industry contributes significantly to deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions due to its high demand for animal products and reliance on single-use packaging.

In conclusion, while fast food provides a convenient solution to our fast-paced lives, it is essential to be mindful of its health and environmental implications. Striking a balance between convenience and health, and making sustainable choices, is the way forward in our relationship with fast food.

500 Words Essay on Fast Food

The rise of fast food.

Fast food has become an integral part of modern society, with its influence stretching across the globe. The fast food industry originated in the United States during the early 20th century, with the advent of assembly line production methods. This revolutionized the food industry, making it possible to serve large quantities of food quickly and efficiently.

The Appeal of Fast Food

Fast food’s appeal lies in its convenience, affordability, and taste. In our fast-paced society, many people opt for fast food as it saves time that would otherwise be spent preparing meals. It also provides a low-cost option for those on a tight budget. Moreover, the taste of fast food, often high in fat, sugar, and salt, is designed to stimulate our palates and keep us coming back for more.

The Impact on Health

Despite its convenience and affordability, fast food has a profound impact on public health. It is often high in calories, unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt, contributing to a range of health issues including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. The World Health Organization has recognized the consumption of fast food as a major factor in the global obesity epidemic.

Societal Implications

Fast food also has broader societal implications. It has reshaped our eating habits, contributing to a culture of convenience that often prioritizes speed and ease over nutrition and health. This has implications for our relationship with food, our health, and even our social interactions. Fast food restaurants, for instance, have become common gathering places, influencing our social dynamics.

The Environmental Impact

Fast food’s environmental impact is another area of concern. Fast food chains are major contributors to deforestation due to their demand for beef and palm oil. They also contribute to pollution through their excessive use of packaging and energy consumption.

The Future of Fast Food

The future of fast food is uncertain. On one hand, the industry continues to grow, driven by increasing demand in developing countries. On the other hand, there is a growing awareness of the health and environmental impacts of fast food, leading to calls for change. Many fast food chains are now offering healthier options and making efforts to reduce their environmental impact.

In conclusion, fast food has undeniably shaped our society and our lifestyles. While it offers convenience and affordability, its health and environmental impacts cannot be ignored. As consumers, we have a role to play in shaping the future of this industry, through our choices and our demand for healthier, more sustainable options.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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An opinion essay about fast food.

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Chick Fil a Business Analysis

This essay about Chick-fil-A’s net worth explores the financial success and strategic decisions that have shaped the fast-food giant’s valuation. Focusing on Chick-fil-A’s unique business model, which includes a distinctive franchise system and ownership of restaurants, the essay highlights how these factors contribute to the company’s operational efficiency and sales performance. Despite being privately held, estimates suggest Chick-fil-A’s net worth is in the billions, supported by its high sales volumes, strategic expansion, and innovation in digital ordering and menu development. The essay also touches on Chick-fil-A’s corporate culture and community engagement efforts as key components of its brand equity and overall valuation. Through strategic growth initiatives and a commitment to quality and service, Chick-fil-A has established itself as a financial powerhouse in the American fast-food sector, with its net worth reflecting its position as an industry leader.

How it works

Chick-fil-A, the American fast-food behemoth known for its signature chicken sandwiches and unwavering commitment to customer service, has carved out a significant niche in the competitive restaurant industry. Beyond its culinary offerings, Chick-fil-A’s business model, corporate ethos, and strategic growth initiatives have played pivotal roles in its financial success. This essay delves into the net worth of Chick-fil-A, exploring the financial fabric and strategic decisions that have shaped its valuation over the years.

Founded in 1946 by S. Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A has grown from a single diner in Hapeville, Georgia, to a nationwide chain with over 2,400 locations across the United States.

Unlike many of its competitors, Chick-fil-A has remained a privately held company, with the Cathy family retaining ownership. This private status often shrouds the exact details of its financials in mystery; however, industry estimates and financial analyses provide insight into its impressive economic footprint.

Chick-fil-A’s net worth is intricately tied to its unique business model and operational strategies. The company operates on a franchise system, but with a twist; instead of selling franchises, it selects operators to run restaurants, maintaining ownership of the restaurant itself. This model allows for rigorous quality control and a consistent customer experience, hallmarks of the Chick-fil-A brand. Financially, this approach has paid dividends, with the company achieving remarkable sales volumes per store, far outpacing many of its competitors in the fast-food sector.

Financial analysts estimate Chick-fil-A’s net worth to be in the billions, a testament to its robust sales performance and strategic growth. Despite being closed on Sundays, a policy rooted in the founder’s Christian beliefs, Chick-fil-A has managed to outperform many competitors in annual sales. This financial prowess is further bolstered by the company’s strategic expansion and innovation strategies. For instance, Chick-fil-A has invested heavily in digital ordering technology, drive-thru efficiency, and menu innovation to meet evolving consumer preferences, ensuring sustained growth and profitability.

Moreover, Chick-fil-A’s corporate culture and commitment to community engagement have contributed to its brand equity, a crucial component of its net worth. The company invests in leadership training, employee development, and scholarship programs, fostering a loyal and dedicated workforce that drives operational excellence. Community engagement initiatives, ranging from disaster relief efforts to food donations, reinforce the company’s reputation as a socially responsible entity, endearing it to consumers and enhancing its overall valuation.

In conclusion, Chick-fil-A’s net worth is a reflection of its unique business model, operational excellence, and strategic growth initiatives. While exact figures are closely held, industry estimates underscore the company’s financial success, driven by high sales volumes, operational efficiency, and a strong brand identity. As Chick-fil-A continues to expand and innovate, its financial footprint is likely to grow, further cementing its position as a powerhouse in the American fast-food landscape. The company’s journey from a single diner to a multibillion-dollar entity is a compelling narrative of entrepreneurial vision, strategic innovation, and unwavering commitment to values, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of building and sustaining financial worth in the competitive restaurant industry.

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A Crispy, Salty, American History of Fast Food

Adam Chandler’s new book explores the intersection between fast food and U.S. history

Anna Diamond

A food fight broke out on Twitter in the middle of February. It wasn’t over the sandwichiness of a hot dog or the right way to eat a slice of pizza, but instead was spurred on by a tweet from the Los Angeles Times’ Food section.

The paper had just released its “official fast food French fry rankings” and the food columnist, Lucas Kwan Peterson, dared to list In-N-Out, the beloved chain founded in the 1940s in Baldwin Park, east of L.A., at the absolute bottom.

One of Peterson’s colleagues registered her discontent tweeting sardonically, “hello i am the social media intern and have to share this but i totally dont [sic] agree with it.” In-N-Out fans, fuming that one longstanding Southern California institution would betray another, made their fury known across the social media platform and in the Times ’ comments sections.

Preferences (and pride) may vary among regional chains—whether it’s In-N-Out in the West, Culver’s in the Midwest or Chick-Fil-A in the South—but U.S. consumers remain fast food fanatics. A Gallup survey showed 80 percent of Americans eat at fast food chains at least once a month.

The passion Americans feel about fast food is at the heart of journalist Adam Chandler’s new book, Drive-Thru Dreams . “There are no inherited rites in America, but if one were to come close, it would involve mainlining sodium beneath the comforting fluorescence of an anonymous fast food dining room or beneath the dome light of a car,” he writes in the introduction. Chandler spoke with Smithsonian about the intersection between American history and fast food, its enduring popularity and how chains are changing to keep up with consumers.

Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey Through the Heart of America's Fast-Food Kingdom

Drive-Thru Dreams by Adam Chandler tells an intimate and contemporary story of America―its humble beginning, its innovations and failures, its international charisma, and its regional identities―through its beloved roadside fare.

Why did you want to write this book?

I grew up in Texas where it’s not polarizing to eat fast food. It’s not divisive at all. Now I live in Brooklyn, New York, where it is. I think traveling between those two places a lot made me realize there’s a really interesting divide about this and made me want to explore it more.

What do you think makes fast food so quintessentially American? What does its history reveal about American history?

Fast food [took off] in large part because of the highway system that we built in the 1950s and the1960s. America started driving more than ever before and we rearranged our cities based on car travel, for better or worse. And it was a natural business response to the American on-the-go kind of lifestyle.

The founders of all these fast food chains are [part of] what we would call the quintessential American Dream. They were, by and large, from humble beginnings. They often grew up poor, didn’t achieve success until late in their life, and had all these setbacks. Colonel Sanders is a key example of somebody who struggled his entire life and then struck it rich with a chicken recipe he perfected while working at a gas station in southeastern Kentucky. There are all of these really impressive stories that I think, in another era, we would hold up as the ideal of American success.

And then there’s the food. The food is terrible, and it’s delicious, and it’s completely ridiculous and we love it. I mean, not everybody loves it, but it has this element of hucksterism to it, these insane ideas that get made. It’s a very American idea to just have the biggest, craziest burger or the wildest thing.

You can go into a McDonald’s, you can go into a Taco Bell, and you will see literally every demographic grouping there. Old, young, all races, all ages, all economic backgrounds kind of sharing a meal. There’re not a lot of places that offer that.

White Castle was the country’s first fast food chain when it opened in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas. What made it so appealing to Americans?

It fit the tech fascinations of the ’20s. There was a real assembly-line fervor that was raging across America. White Castle adopted this model—they had food that was prepared quickly in a very highly mechanized, highly systematized way. Every inch of the grill was dedicated for either the bread or the beef in small, square patties.

[White Castle] had these efficiencies built into it that really spoke to the fascinations of the era. And now it would sound weird, the idea that your experience there should be the same every single time and that every customer gets the exact same food over and over again. Something that’s very familiar is kind of seen as a negative now, but back then it absolutely was a cherished part of the experience.

For a long time, fast food was tied to suburban life, but in the late 1960s, companies made an effort to open franchises in urban areas. Can you talk about the dynamics at play there?

It’s a political third rail in a lot of ways because where fast food has ended up is, often times, a food desert in various communities. It is a place that people go to, along with corner stores, that don’t have a lot of nutritious and nutrient-dense foods. It definitely holds itself inadvertently as this sort of emblem of privation for certain communities.

Fast food moved into the urban centers late in the late 1960s and part of this was a result of the fact that they had saturated the suburbs and needed to expand. And this had a lot to do with the Civil Rights era, which is a fascinating sort of intersection in the story. Black-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses, were hoping to create economic bases in city centers where white flight and a lot of other social factors, like the building of the highways, had divided communities. Fast food was seen by activists and by the government—which would ultimately issue loans to help small businesses open fast food chains—as a solution to the problem.

The actual benefit or attraction of opening a fast food restaurant is self-evident. It’s familiar, it’s easily reproduced, and it’s popular and relatively cheap. Its profit margins are higher than a lot of other businesses, particularly grocery stores. So, this created kind of a perfect soup of all of these competing factors that united to spread fast food within urban centers and that’s where they took off.

How has the fast-food industry shaped other industries? And how did other industries shape it?

A lot of people credit, and critique, fast food with offering this kind of franchise model that you see all over the United States and all over the world, whether it’s haircuts or mattresses or gyms. Any kind of service [where] you see a franchise for a lot of people traces back to the roots of McDonald’s being a truly national brand.

What was interesting to me about fast food and its relationship with other businesses is, first of all, all kinds of weird, strange businesses feed into the fast food empire—whether it's creating packaging, or building equipment, or coming up with spices or flavors. Whenever McDonald’s creates a new product that requires a new piece of equipment to prepare it, they have to create an entire company to build that one product because that product is going to [be replicated] 30,000 times.

Fast food is more reactive, in a way, to the pushes and pulls of the American economy and that has to do with business trends. It has to do with how people are shopping and eating and consuming these days. So, as much as the drive-through has been and remains such a dominating force in the United States, we’re seeing Uber Eats, Seamless, DoorDash and all of these new companies involve themselves in fast food in a totally unexpected way. I personally can’t think of anything that sounds less appealing to me than having a burger you’re probably supposed to eat within 5 or 10 minutes delivered to your door in 20 or 30, but it’s proven to be extremely popular.

After the release of Morgan Spurlock’s documentary Supersize Me and the publication of Eric Schlosser’s book Fast Food Nation , there was a push in the 2000s for people to eat healthier and cut out fast food. How effective was that effort? Why didn’t we see a real change in fast food dining habits?

There have been efforts across the decades to push fast food to change. In the 1990s Kentucky Fried Chicken actually shortened its name to KFC, because “fried” was actually [considered] such a bad word.

In the book, I talk with [journalist] Michael Pollan about him having conversations with some of his acolytes and his followers, basically asking them, “How would you feel, if one day, you woke up and McDonald’s was all organic, no GMO, no high fructose corn syrup?” And the people responded [that they would be] disappointed. So, there’s an emotional component to it which is that we like fast food to be an indulgence, a treat, a kind of unhealthy, guilty pleasure.

A lot of people just don’t want the food to change. It’s not something that the core fast food consumer is really sweating in a way that you maybe hear about more on the coasts or in certain enclaves where the focus is more on changing dietary habits and improving the food systems.

Your book is full of entertaining anecdotes, like KFC Christmas in Japan . Do you have a favorite story from the book?

The creation of Doritos Locos Tacos is my favorite story in the book. Mostly because it involves a really terrific person who, in the most relatable way, was sitting on his couch eating Taco Bell and saw a Doritos commercial and thought, “This is exactly what I want to have—a Doritos-flavored taco shell.” He lobbied Frito-Lay to create the shells, and they said, “No, we can’t do that.”

So he started a Facebook group where he used his Photoshop skills to kind of put together these tableaus of famous pictures with Doritos Locos Taco shells in them. A lot of people started paying attention to it. And Taco Bell, which had actually created the idea 20 years before, and had shelved it because of corporate in-fighting, was planning to release the product and brought this guy along for the journey. It was a really, really fascinating, beautiful story. He lives to see the creation of the product, but dies very shortly thereafter. And his family and friends gather, and they all go out to Taco Bell after the funeral, and they eat their Doritos Locos Tacos.

Since you finished writing your book, Burger King introduced the plant-based Impossible Burger in many of its stores . Is this just the latest example of what industry insiders call “stealth health”? Do you think it’ll catch on?

Burger King was the first national chain to have a veggie burger on their menu and it’s had one since ’02 or ’03. What’s interesting about the Impossible Burger is that it fulfills criteria for people who want a more ecologically progressive burger as opposed to one that’s actually healthier for you. The Impossible Burger has GMOs, it’s highly processed, and it has about as many calories in many instances as a normal beef burger does especially once you build on the bread and the toppings and everything else. So, in a lot of ways, while it is impressive and while it does have its merits, from a health standpoint it’s more smoke-and-mirrors than anything. And so, if we’re talking about improving American diets, the Impossible Burger is probably not the answer.

I guess to add onto that there are some other interesting, incremental things that happened last year. Sonic, which is America's fourth-biggest burger chain, introduced burgers that they call the Blended Burgers and they have 70 or 75 percent meat and 25 percent mushroom, sort of a similar idea. And those have many fewer calories and actually taste pretty good. It’s a more incremental version of change to the burger process, it's “Try this out, it's a little healthier” and I think you can mentally make that adjustment a little bit easier than to something that is grown in a lab and has its own baggage. There’s a lot of tinkering going on and we're going to see what really sticks in the next coming years.

To write the book, you ate at fast-food chains all over the country. What’s your favorite one? Did that change from when you started?

Well, I have a nostalgic, historic connection to Whataburger, which is a Texas-born chain, because it was where I went as a kid and where my friends and I went in high school. I think I would be betraying my sweet Texas roots if I didn’t say it remains my favorite. I think they would ban me from going to the Alamo or something if I said it was something different.

[But] I always had a dangerous love affair with Taco Bell. That only increased during my time on the road because the way that people feel about Taco Bell is different than people feel about a lot of chains, at least national chains. Taco Bell is something special because everyone that loves Taco Bell, really loves Taco Bell. And everybody else thinks it’s the worst thing in the world. When I find a fellow Taco Bell traveler on the road, I immediately feel closer to that person.

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Anna Diamond | READ MORE

Anna Diamond is the former assistant editor for Smithsonian magazine.

Fast food IELTS sample essay with vocabulary

Our band nine sample essays give you the opportunity to learn from successful essays that show off the best structure, vocabulary and grammar. This IELTS essay on fast food gives the advantages and disadvantages of this type of meal.

Band nine sample essay

Fast food is increasingly popular in large cities. compare the advantages and disadvantages of this type of food and give your own opinion. .

Despite many healthy eating campaigns, demand for junk food has skyrocketed in recent years. In this essay, I will explore the advantage that this food is affordable with the disadvantage to consumers’ health. 

To begin, fast food allows people to grab a quick bite to eat without spending too much money. As the world has been hit by inflation and stagnant wage growth over the last year, more and more consumers have been unable to find affordable meals on the go . If someone finds themselves in this situation, fast food can help them to afford to eat. Furthermore, for parents, who are deeply affected by price rises, many fast food restaurants have multi-buy meal deals which are suitable for a whole family and which can help them cope. 

However, regular fast food consumption is damaging for those who eat it. Because these foods are prepared in bulk , they rarely use fresh ingredients and often use additives, which can have a negative impact on people’s health. Furthermore, as the quality of the ingredients cannot be high while keeping prices low, these foods often rely on sugar and fats to make them taste better than they otherwise would. For example, compared to an organic homemade burger, a burger from a fast food chain is likely to be full of chemicals, use poor quality meat and bread, and use more sugar and fat than is necessary.

To conclude, fast food is beneficial as it helps people to eat without breaking the bank . However, it also can be damaging to consumer’s health. For me, given that for many, the alternative to fast food is to not be able to afford to eat, fast food has more advantages than disadvantages.

Fast Food vocabulary

There is a lot of vocabulary you need to write an essay about fast food. I have highlighted some of the important terms from the essay below, but keep an eye out for other essays as there is more to know.

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Fast Food — Critical Analysis of “Fast Food Nation” by Eric Schlosser

Critical Analysis of "Fast Food Nation" by Eric Schlosser

• Categories: Fast Food Fast Food Nation Literature Review

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Published: Sep 1, 2020

Words: 1570 | Pages: 3 | 8 min read

Table of contents

Meta-thesis and its development/evidence, author’s credibility and bias(es), why should we trust what he says, understanding and connections.

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