Abstract A critique of the fastfoodindustry that discusses Eric Schlosser's book, "FastFood Nation" and Morgan Spurlock's documentary film, "Supersize Me". It contends that both present ample evidence that the health and longevity of the American people are being severely damaged by the fastfoodindustry.
From the Paper "Eric Schlosser's, "Fast Food Nation" uses the truth to persuade his readers of the reality of the facts and opinions presented in his book. Unlike the devious deceptive and manipulative methods used by the fast food industry to stimulate sales on ..."
Abstract This paper examines the fastfoodindustry, a rather controversial industry within the United States and on an international basis. The paper maintains that it is useful to understand some major tenets of its operations and to use these as comparative measures to see if the strategic objectives of the industry are different or similar to that of other industries. It adds that it is also useful to understand the business management aspects of the fastfoodindustry model. The paper chooses three criteria - automation, uniformity, and low prices - and provides a critical review of these criteria in the fastfoodindustry. These are then compared to other industries for a crucial review of the overall fastfoodindustry model. The paper includes graphs and charts.
Outline:
Introduction
Automation: FastFoodIndustry Technological Advancements
Insurance and FastFood: Comparison of Automation Criteria
Uniformity in the FastFoodIndustry Exploring the Uniform Criteria: Comparing the FastFood and Coffee Shop Chains
Low Prices in the FastFoodIndustry: Is that Necessarily a Negative Criterion?
Low Pricing Model: Comparison of Wal-Mart and FastFood Companies
Conclusion
From the Paper "Automation within the industry has been noted to optimize efficiency, enhance physical and financial assets, and to minimize waste, all of which increases the profit margin for many companies within the industry. Automation in the fast food industry is primarily driven by consumers increased demand. For example, McDonald's has utilized a mobile point of sale software at some locations to increase sales by serving more drive-thru customers faster, increasing accuracy for orders, and decreasing the standard wait time in the store."
Abstract This paper explains that a faster-paced lifestyle with more women joining the workforce results in the detriment of "traditional" American family meals, but it is an enormous advantage to the fastfoodindustry; virtually everyone loves fastfood, even though there are concerns about health, and the industry is firmly established around the world. The author points out that the multi-billion dollar fastfoodindustry today is said to have been started in 1936 by Maria del Gray, who named the original McDonald's after her fiancee who was killed in a vehicular accident; Ray Kroc later founded the McDonald's franchise system based on del Gray's McDonald's. The paper concludes the process of "McDonaldization" continues to spread the inexorable forces of capitalism and standardized food products around the world; everyone is eating fastfoods, even if they are protesting it as soon as they are finished with their burgers and fries.
Table of Contents
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Social Effects
Structural Changes in the FastFoodIndustry Figure: Franchise Percentages Owned by Parent Company as of 1991
Current and Future Trends
"McDonaldization"
FastFood's Impact on Health
Focus on Service
Conclusion
From the Paper "Today, the fast food industry has evolved in a number of important ways from the early days of Maria del Gray's McDonalds. The fast food industry is highly competitive, but remains fairly homogeneous and nonunion; however, some restaurant outlets are owned and operated by parent companies while others are owned and operated by individual franchisees. In a typical franchise agreement, the franchisor (known as the parent company) grants the franchisee a license to operate a standardized restaurant with a specified technology and widely recognized trademark; in exchange, the franchisee pays the parent company a fixed fee and a monthly royalty on gross sales (Krueger says this is generally 8 percent). In some instances, the franchisee will be required to post an explicit performance bond as well. The total start-up cost of a franchised restaurant in a major chain is ordinarily between $400,000 and $600,000."
Abstract This paper looks at the global features and implications of conducting international operations within the fastfoodindustry. It also analyzes the macro and micro environments affecting the fastfoodindustry in the United States. It then looks at how changes in consumer behavior and successful management have resulted in the growth of the fastfoodindustry.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
The FastFoodIndustry Societal Developments
Economic Forces
Political Climate
Technological Developments
Ecological Developments
Market Forecasts - Future Scenarios
Equilibrium of Power
Regulatory Framework
Franchising in the FastFoodIndustry Conclusions
From the Paper "The fast food industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world and most of their success has been based on the changes occurring in the micro and macro environments. People have reduced time to cook and fast food products are the handiest solution. The future of the industry looks bright, but difficulties could be posed by regulatory measures and changes in the society. The potential threats refer to inabilities in retaining the staff members (due to the low wages), the consumers' preference for healthy foods, environment protection policies, an unstable economic background or an economic perception for creating economies of scale."
This paper analyzes the duplicitous nature of advertising in the fastfoodindustry, focusing on the advertisements of three multinational fastfood companies, McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Long John Silver.
Abstract Fastfood advertising has been allowed to profess anything, from the "healthy quality" of their food to the food company's contribution to homeless kids. While fastfood giants are quick to take any of their detractors to court for any erroneous allegations made by members of the public, it doesn?t stop these same companies from committing libel themselves through their promotions. However, most fastfood companies steer clear of making outrageous claims such any health benefits, preferring to concentrate on marketing their service's convenience, economy and perceived lifestyle. This paper endeavors to highlight this discrepancy in the industry and showcases three fastfood companies and their advertising efforts in that regard.
From the Paper "Fast food outlets have become the messiah for the millions of people out there who don"t have more than five minutes to spare in grabbing a bite to eat or for the millions of mothers desperate for one night of not cooking dinner for the family. There is certainly a lot to choose from. All one has to do is switch on the television, turn on the radio, go to the cinemas or even walk down the street. People from all walks of life are bombarded each and every day with jingles and gimmicks and catchcries, inviting the consumer to partake of their fried or greasy menu. Some appeal to the consumer's need for convenience, others appeal to the consumer's economic constraints, and others appeal to the consumer's perceived utopian lifestyle. Some even go so far as to appeal to the consumer's interest in healthy eating. But are these appeals from fast food conglomerates based on truth or are they just trying to beef up their profits duplicitously" This paper endeavors to explore some claims that fast food companies have made in the past through their advertising. Three fast food giants will also be held under the microscope and studied for any evidence of duplicity through their advertising."
Abstract The paper examines the workplace issues at fastfood restaurants. The paper portrays the realities of low wages and poor motivation of the employees who work at these places. The paper also notes that one of the reasons that workers at fastfood restaurants have poor morale is that workplace conditions are typically dirty and poor and too often the emphasis is on speed rather than the safety and quality of the product. The paper also discusses a study where researchers monitored the "frequency of fastfood restaurant use" (FFFRU) amongst adolescents and found that FFFRU was directly linked to fat intake.
Outline:
Introduction
Motivational Problems in the FastFoodIndustry Motivational Problems Due to Poor Working Conditions
Low Wages in the FastFoodIndustry What About Those Who Eat at FastFood Restaurants?
From the Paper "Americans spent more in 2001 on fast food than on "books, CDs, newspapers, magazines, and videos combined - about $110 billion," writes Julie Finnin Day in The Christian Science Monitor (Day 2001). "What's more," Day continued in her review of Eric Schlosser's book, Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal, "the golden arches are more universally recognized than the Christian cross." Moreover, Day summarizes Schlosser's focus on how the labor force in the meat processing industry has changed, from skilled, unionized workers a generation ago to today's workforce in fast food restaurants, which is "mostly recent immigrants, many of whom are illiterate and non-unionized." The plight of those who work in the industry that provides chicken, beef, pork and other meats to the fast food industry "has met with public indifference and industry secrecy - largely, Schlosser argues, because of their dark skin color.""
Abstract This paper examines the current and future market situation for the leading fastfood restaurants in America. The paper begins with a thorough assessment of the financial and marketing considerations for the industry. Next the paper examines how traditional growth engines, such as R&D and technology investment can be utilized to help grow the fastfood business. The paper concludes with recommendations for the future, and then offers an appendix on statistical trends in food consumption -- particularly as it relates to fastfood.
Outline:
Financial Analysis
Stock/Investment Outlook
Potential/Prospective for Growth
Competitive Structure
Role of Research and Development
Technological Investment and Analysis
Recommendation for the Future
New Trends In Food Preparation and Eating
From the Paper "In today's market the state of the fast food industry can be summed up in two words: "fiercely competitive." McDonald's and Burger King, two fast food giants, dominate the industry but many smaller companies such as Checkers, Subway, and Taco Bell are starting to make a large dent in fast food sales. The number of fast food restaurants increased by 5% in 1995 adding more competition to an already staggering number of restaurants. Fast food continues to be very popular helping to ease the competition for customers. Americans are working longer hours leaving less time to cook at home. With less time on their hands consumers are turning towards fast food. Of the total number of people dining out 66% go to a fast food restaurant. Americans spent 93 billion dollars on fast food in 1995 accounting for 49% of total eat out food expenditures. Value pricing and larger portions are popular trends to meet consumer demand for cheap, plentiful food. Companies stay competitive by attracting customers through advertising and movie sponsorship. Marketing expenditures are gigantic in the fast food industry with many companies spending up to 25% of total expenses on advertising. Aggressive global expansion has increased fast food sales and promises to provide strong future growth. Large, untapped marketplaces exist for fast food in both industrialized and developing nations."
Abstract The paper contends that in the fastfoodindustry, the workers are exploited like slaves while those on top reap all the benefits. The paper goes on to discuss how classism is a growing trend in the United States, as the disparity between the upper class and lower class continues to grow, which furthers the domination of the upper class. The paper demonstrates how education levels are impacted by this class disparity, with students from poorer families less likely to attend university. The paper touches upon Aristotle's and John Locke's views on slavery and asserts that not only are fastfoodindustries detrimental to the health of the nation, but they create class boundaries and their minimal wages are a form of slavery.
From the Paper "There is a matrix of domination that has been maintained through the processes of hegemony in the fast food industry because of the inability of those who regulate the industry to step up and end repression. While new ways of thinking have allowed for us to eliminate different stages of repression over time, there will always be those aspects that are never fixed. This occurs in the fast food industry, as the workers are exploited, much like slaves, and those on top reap all the benefits of this corrupt system. Through the understanding of this oppression, they have come up with new methods of repressing the people, in order to further their own personal goals."
Abstract This paper reviews Eric Scholosser's 2002 book "FastFood Nation" and its portrayal of the dehumanization of the fast-foodindustry and losses to the American consumer. The author presents many aspects of the fastfood culture.
From the Paper "We've all heard and most likely dismissed the adage that we are what we eat. Usually if we spend any time at all bothering to think about this, we have some vague idea that it means if we eat unhealthy things than our own health will suffer. While that's certainly ..."
Abstract This paper discusses the role of the fastfoodindustry in the global problem of obesity. What does the name 'McDonalds' mean to you? Maybe the name brings back images and pleasant memories of your childhood, of going to McDonalds for a burger and fries, and playing on the play equipment. And if the images have effect that McDonalds intends it to have, you should start thinking about going down to the nearest McDonalds and buying some junk food whether you're hungry or not!
Abstract This paper examines a 2004 Wall Street Journal article on mad cow disease, and how companies, especially fastfood companies, are responding to the possibility of tainted meat. It uses the example of McDonald's.
Abstract This paper explains that the fastfoodindustry is a lucrative and dominant market. The author points out that the powerhouse fastfood chains, such as KFC, match the desire of their fast-paced customers for meals-on-the-go. The paper relates that KFC is a restaurant chain based in Louisville, Kentucky and owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. The author reports that KFC is a major global competitor in the fastfoodindustry, renown for its fried chicken and other fastfood offerings. The paper also relates that the recent demand for healthier living has been trumpeted by some of the fastfoodindustry, such as Subway, a company that prides itself on healthier fastfood alternatives. The author stresses that this health trend is not good news for KFC, a company that is famous for its unhealthy fried chicken --- and little else. The paper includes graphs.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Competitors
Corporate Governance
Trends Affecting the FastFoodIndustry Ethics and Social Responsibility
Stakeholders
External Environment
Internal Strengths and Weaknesses
External Opportunity and Threats
Issue Priority Matrix
Mapping Strategic Groups
Industry Matrix
Conclusion
From the Paper "The impact of the economy, culture, globalization, and legislation on KFC and the fast food industry at large has already been examined. However, the industry is impacted not only by political and societal influences, such as environmental responsibility and healthy eating, but also by technological advancements over recent years. In recent decades, the increased focus on technology, such as television, the Internet and advertising through these mediums, has proven beneficial for the industry. Fast food companies put a lot of money into television advertising, resulting in something of a "warring" atmosphere when it comes to producing the more effective commercial."
This paper summarizes and critiques part of Eric Schlosser's now classic book, "FastFood Nation", about the American fastfoodindustry, its history, influence and effects.
Abstract This paper explains that Eric Schlosser, in his book "FastFood Nation", states that what America enthusiastically and habitually eats explains much of the national psychology of the U.S.; thus, fastfoods represent a national "craving" for sameness, predictability and conformity. The author points out that, in Chapter I, Schlosser reports that the "founding fathers" of the American (now very heavily-exported) fastfoodindustry actually used their own originality, creativity, ingenuity, risk-taking capacities and entrepreneurial ways to create, ironically, the bland yet predictable sameness and conformity that has existed from the start within the fastfoodindustry. The paper states that, because the book was easy to read and entertaining, the extensive list of well-written end-notes, thorough bibliography and index was surprising and indicated the far-reaching research upon which the book is based.
Table of Contents
Summary of Chapter I: "The Founding Fathers"
Schlosser: FastFood is a Metaphor for the Nation
Chapter 10: "Global Realization"
Critique of "Meat and Potatoes" Section
From the Paper "Also within Chapter 10 "Global Realization" of Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation (2001), the author discusses the targeting of children by fast food advertisers, and even of international conferences and marketing organizations like the Gepetto Group that study children's consumption tastes and habits, and marketing trends and techniques that appeal to children in particular. As a result of such efforts, though, childhood obesity, as Schlosser points out, has become an epidemic in America, and in other nations that have embraced the American-created fast food habit."
Tags: conformity, children, founders, research, international
This paper is a research study that performs a concentration analysis of the fast-food segment of the restaurant industry with a view toward developing an explanation for shifting growth and investment trends within the industry.
Abstract This paper is a research study that investigated: Is profitability associated positively with concentration in the fast-food segment of the restaurant industry? This paper includes an extensive review of the literature that covers many fields: The fast-foodindustry, external environmental conditions, the market structure, anti-trust concerns, elasticity of demand, productivity and statistical and research procedures. The paper reports the conclusion of the research that the larger firms in the industry dominate the industry because they are more efficient.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose and Significance of the Problem
Background on the Fast-Food Segment of the Restaurant Industry and External Environmental Conditions
Overview of the Remainder of the Study
Review of Related Literature
Theoretical and Conceptual Literature
Market Structure
Antitrust Concerns
Elasticity of Demand
Productivity
Literature Review Summary
Methodology
Research Design
Analytical Model
Data Sources
Data Analysis
Summary
Results
Hypothesis Test Results
Summary
Summary and Conclusions
From the Paper "Barriers to exit refer to the costs that would be incurred by a firm should that firm decide to stop participating in a given market. Thus, a market in which participating firms (1) are required to make a high cost investment in equipment and/or facilities, and (2) where such equipment and/or facilities may not (a) be easily transferable by a firm to use for other purposes, or (b) quickly sold without significant loss may be said to be characterized by barriers to exit. Market contestability is defined primarily in the context of ease of exit, and ease of exit is directly related to the barriers to exit character of a market. When a firm can leave an industry or market at little or no cost to the firm, the market is said to be contestable."
Summary and discussion of "FastFood Nation" and its commentary on how the fastfoodindustry has shaped and defined American society and the society of other nations.
Abstract This paper explains the premise of Eric Schlosser's book, "FastFood Nation", which argues that the fastfoodindustry is representative of American culture and that this culture is exported abroad, often to the detriment of the target nations. The paper looks at Schlosser's discussion of the myriad problems in the fastfoodindustry and the ways in which this industry has altered American society and may alter society around the world.
From the Paper "The icon that represents fast food culture for most people is McDonald's, though the fast food culture developed long before the creation of that restaurant chain and includes many other practitioners. Schlosser considers the impact of such fast-food chains but also considers the primacy of the hamburger in the American diet and some of the dangers it poses. The spread of McDonald's around the world has been decried by many as exporting some of the worst of American culture."
