Fast Food
Greasy burgers and fries are out; lighter, healthier fare is
in. Fast food chains like McDonald's are adding salads and chicken
sandwiches to their traditional line of burgers, fries, and shakes.
With fast food under the gun from health advocates, and public
tastes changing, the industry is trying to cook up a new recipe
for growth. It centers on being fresh and different
THE BURGER AND FRIES guys know they have to change. Theirs has
become a very slow growing market. So fast food is trying to slow
down and re-make itself with fresh concepts and fresh items that
people want.
Fast food doesn’t have the best image with consumers right
now, many of whom say price is no longer as important as health
when they choose from the menu. So whatever the name, whether
it’s McDonald’s, Burger King, or Taco Bell, these
are tough time for the fast food chains.
So they are branching out, both on the menu and in the restaurant
business.
"I think these new fast food places are telling Americans
there is a different way to eat fast food - not just your traditional
places," said Harry Balzer, who follows the fast food industry
at the market research firm NPD Group. "We can give you places
that have a little more atmosphere, maybe not as fast, maybe made
to order you see it being made, not fried but it is a new alternative
for us to try."
The new alternative is a category known as "quick casual."
Chains like Subway, Panera Bread, and Cosi have exploded in growth
by offering fresh sandwiches at restaurants that seldom have drive
through lines. Last year, while fast food revenue was up 3.4 percent,
quick casual chains grew almost 5 times faster.
Take a surf around the internet maybe your local fast food store.
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