Fast Food Industries
Over the past two decades, the global fast food
industry has grown rapidly. In the United States alone, the sector is worth
more than 180 billion dollars. Business analysts predict that by 2018, it will
experience a sharp revenue increase to 210 billion dollars (Perl, 2011). The US
fast food industry entails corporations
that produce and sell meals. Their provisions require little preparation. Some
of the most prominent firms involved in the industry are subway, Burger King,
McDonalds, and Wendy’s. While fast food consumption introduces dangers like
obesity, the industry is a source of government
revenue and employment.
Pros
Fast food producers offer convenience to their
customers. For instance, fast food is ideal for busy individuals that would
otherwise skip meals. Home cooked meals call
for shopping and washing of utensils. Yet, these challenges do not exist in the
case of fast food since the customer orders readymade meals. Even better, it is
an ideal option for an individual that lacks cooking skills or unwilling to
prepare food for one. It is cheaper and economical to purchase fast food for
one rather than preparation from scratch. There is also no waste because exact
quantities can be ordered.
According to Gilbert et al. (2014), skipping a meal
leads to a rebound effect due to slow metabolism. Therefore, people eat more
during the next round hence becoming vulnerable to diseases such as diabetes. Grabbing
simple meals from a fast food joint is easy and quick. Apart from American
favorites like French fries, pizza, and burgers, customers can choose
Middle-Eastern, Mexican, Asian, or Indian dishes.
American citizens have been eating fast foods for
years. It implies that the industry has become part and parcel of their
day-to-day lives. Ideally, parents can
easily convince children to eat it routinely since they are accustomed to the
fast food. In addition, it is hard for passionate eaters to resist the taste of
a cheesy pizza or a juicy burger. Most importantly, the food satisfies hunger
fast.
Further, more fast food restaurants in the United
States offer a list of healthy options. For example, at Burger King and
McDonalds, a customer can opt for a salad to supplement the main course.
Besides, the federal government has set up strict regulations that demand companies display fat and calorie content on
the menu. In this way, people can recognize at a glance what they are eating.
The information is important in making quick and appropriate food choices.
In addition, fast food organizations provide a
standard food quality, be it in California or Florida. Clearly defined
standards such as these provide a sense
of familiarity, thus enthusiasts can enjoy their favorite meals no matter where
they are. The fast food prices are relatively lower in comparison to regular
meals. Given that there is a fierce competition in the industry, fast food
chains constantly undercut each other, In turn, the customer realize savings by
purchasing a lunch for less than $5.
Cons
Fast food chains offer high-calorie
foods. In most cases, the firms do not reward their supplies for adopting green
approaches in growing food and meat used. In fact, activist groups such as PETA
are pressurizing the fast food corporations for inhuman treatment of animals.
Essentially, the shoddy practices in the industry’s supply chain network are to
blame. Mass food producers sacrifice sanitary and health practices, especially
during meat processing. Because of this, processed meat products are classified
as one of the leading causes of terminal cancerous diseases. The majority of
fast food chains on the West Coast use cheaper ingredients that do not meet US
Food and Drug Administration standards (Nestle, 2013). Consequently, the
customers cannot be sure if the meals served are cooked and prepared in
sanitary environments.
Moreover, mass production of food is unhealthy,
specifically considering the use of preservatives and chemicals. Since fast
foods are dense in calories, the consumers put on more weight as compared to
when they eat fresh foods prepared at home. The authorities can hardly watch
the quality of food prepared on a large
scale, resulting in mass outbreaks of illnesses. Further, families no longer
get ample bonding times given that the food is consumed hurriedly at
restaurants and chains away from home.
Fast food companies employ deceptive strategies to
advertise and sell their products. For instance, they make chicken nuggets from
undisclosed byproducts. Besides, the industry regulator lacks a clear
definition of ‘natural food’, thus encouraging the exploitation of this term
during product promotion (Nestle, 2013). Of keen to note is that fast food
restaurants are in the business to maximize profits. Therefore, they tactically
utilize tricky marketing procedures that involve non-disclosure of food
ingredients. What many consumers do not know is that the real cost of fast food
surpasses the burger price. Measuring it calls for food quality consideration
and how the low cost affects the food chain in the long-run.
In
summary, it is clear that the fast food industry offers numerous benefits.
Their products are not only convenient but also affordable for people that do
not have enough cooking time. They are also tasty, but Americans should not
lose sight of the fact that fast foods are unhealthy. I recommend that they
should consume burgers, French fries, or Pizza in moderation. Moreover, the
government should strictly implement its regulations on the industry to
minimize health risks. In this way, the soaring healthcare expenditure will
reduce significantly. Lastly, the industry’s giants should educate the public
(as part of their CSR activities) on the impact of their products to consumer’s
wellbeing.
References
Gilbert, G.
R., Veloutsou, C., Goode, M. M., & Moutinho, L. (2014). Measuring Customer
Satisfaction in the Fast Food Industry: A Cross-National Approach. Journal of Services Marketing, 18(5), 371-383.
Nestle, M.
(2013). Food Politics: How the
Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health (Vol. 3). Berkeley: Univ of California Press.
Perl, L.
(2011). Junk Food, Fast Food,
Health Food: What America Eats and Why [USA]. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
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