The fast food chains we have come to know and support make up one of the biggest industries in the nation. Every day, these corporate giants churn out Whoppers and Happy Meals to millions of consumers. However, it is not a coincidence that so many people are attracted to these chain restaurants. It is a result of ingenious marketing. Over the years, the fast food industry has used many cleverly planned tactics to provide the American consumer with products it can’t refuse. They know how to take advantage of pop culture, they provide a sense of familiarity, and their convenience is very hard to match.
Out of all the restaurants in the world, the fast food chains are the most “up-to-date.” Every time you look, they have the catchiest ads, the most popular endorsements, and the coolest toys. For example, the Taco Bell commercials with the talking Chihuahua were wildly popular among kids and adults alike. During the LA Lakers’ championship season, you could always see Shaquille O’Neal in Burger King ads. Also, whenever a new Disney movie comes out, you can always look for matching paraphernalia in McDonalds’ Happy Meals. These strategies may seem petty and unimportant, but in reality, they do have a major effect in drawing in customers. Many customers show their support for these things by eating at the restaurants that advertise them, whether they do it consciously or unconsciously.
On top of it all, the fast food chains get paid for sponsoring the movies. It’s a win-win situation, and it has been proven to be very effective. Fast food chains originated in America, but over time, they have spread their influence throughout the world. Today, “McDonalds” is a household term in hundreds of nations around the world.
This leads people to start feeling a sense of security and comfort by eating at such restaurants. “If people all around the world are eating here, it can’t be all that bad, can it?” This is especially true with people who are away from their hometown. They prefer to play it safe, and eat somewhere recognizable, even if they are familiar with the methods used to make that food. Familiarity is a major factor in deciding where to eat, and fast food chains have an overwhelming advantage in that category. Small restaurants, and informal sit-down places keep decreasing in number, due to the spread of fast food. In my home town, the number of McDonalds’ alone equals the total number of sit-down restaurants.
I am sure this trend will be repeated many times in the near future. Everyone is always in a hurry nowadays. People eat their breakfast while driving to work. They eat snack bars and protein shakes instead of real meals. They order pizzas instead of cooking. They never seem to have time to sit down and eat a good family dinner at home.
These are the principles on which the fast food industry is based. Once upon a time, you had to buy a chicken from the store, roast it, and carve it at the dinner table. Now you can buy that same chicken, cooked, breaded, and bones removed, for 99 cents at burger king. The quality of the food plunges, but people don’t care.
They want food, and they don’t have time to wait. However, there is no denying that it is tempting to eat at Taco Bell and save money and time. Not many people are willing to give that up just for a healthier lifestyle. The fast food industry has too much power over people. The people up top have used many strategies to integrate their Mc Nuggets and French fries into the American lifestyle, and now they are here to stay. They have spread influence by means of television, endorsements, pop culture, and quantity.
Now, the fast food industry has America in the palm of its hand, and it can feed us whatever it wants to.