(thesis help) Why are fast food chains successful?

Question

this is my current topic but i am planning to narrow it down.. can you also help me choose? =)
-competition between fast food chains
-impact of advertising to fast food success -shifting of fast foods to local tastes
-success factors of fast foods
-location
-advertising
-shifting to local taste
-menu

do you know any resources in the net? i'm really having a hard time researching. tnx a lot!!

Answer 1

Your q needs to be narrowed down by YOU. However, successful?
It depends on who's rating.

Monetarily, they have a system whereby recipes are controlled, systems are standardized, and support comes form the parent company for them to succeed.

The fact that the food is ready to be consumed is a draw. People also have limited time to eat. fast food places also concentrate on a limited menu making their business easier to run. They also can have a late night window for drive-through, thus increasing profits. Workers are paid low wages here too.

Some places have made the seats, lighting, tables friendlier to the eye.

Some give gifts and freebies to kids. Some have specials and attract those wishing to save money. Some like Mickey D's have games to play on Monopoly Boards. It's all like a gamble and those whop like games and gambling are attracted.

A hamburger, for example is not the same in fast food compared to a home grilled outdoor one. It is inferior at the fast food restaurant. People are used to the taste of mediocre food. Thus, fast food succeeds in drawing people in.

Some people take home lots of straws, napkins, salt and pepper, spices and saucers when management is not looking in fast food places. People also go to the bathroom in fast food places, and often then purchase something. the lure of the bathroom pulls people in.

Many now have dollar menus, attracting the homeless, or those penny pinchers.

Answer 2

Good question - I'm assumign since you are in the sociology forum that your thesis is in sociology? If that's the case you need to shift yoru focus to be more sociological. It may be interesting to do a content analysis study of the mottos of fast food restaurants through history. For example, take the evolution of McDonald's mottos. They directly reflect the current societal conditions. Remember "you deserve a break today?" That was the slogan in the 70s. It was targeting working mothers saying "Hey supermom, you work so hard all the time both at your job and at home - come to McD's because you deserve a break today." You'll see that the slogans evolve with each decade reflecting how society feels about family life. Totally interesting!

Another sociological inquiry into fast food chains might be how they target and prey upon the poor. With dollar menus, it's now easier and cheaper for a low-income family just to go to BK, Wendy's, or McD's. But what are the ramifications fo that? Poor nutrition, increased health problems, etc.

Oh yeah, one other thing - check out "The McDonaldization of Society" by George Ritzer.
Good luck!

Answer 3

A big reason the fast food chains have done so well is because people know what they are getting. A McDonald's is the same all over the country, but people are sometime weary of what they will get from mom and pop burger stop.

Competition between fast food chains might be good. Value meals are hurting fast food chains a great deal Value meals have taught us that people eat fast food because it is cheap and fast, not for taste. The chain with the lowest priced value meal has been selling the most food, but their profit margins have been hurt greatly.

Answer 4

The point of technology is to make our lives easy or (If you ask me) lazier. This includes faster foods. We as a society do not want to spend money so cheap fast food is perfect for this country. If you haven't notice fast food is actually improving. What does that say?
It says that we are fat, lazy and cheap!
Is this were we want to be with technology? Is this our vision of the future? Maybe not be that's where were going.

Answer 5

You can't do a thesis on it and not watch "Supersize Me." So watch that.

The main reasons for sucess are FAST (in and out ,everything is already ready, drivethru windows) and Menu perfection. They do research on what to serve, how to serve it. That is why most are burger places. When they change the menu, they change toppings on the burger.

You don't have to get out of your car, your pjs if you really like. it's easy to eat as much as you want, while listening to your favorite music, or on your way to whatever you need to do in life.

Answer 6

people don't want to cook.

they don't get to do the dishes after the meals.

they can blame somebody else if the taste is not right.

the taste of the food is the same all over the country.

good for people on the go.

Answer 7

I used to work for KFC. People like the convenience (fast). The food usually tastes good. (they use trans fats -not good for you though). The food is usually cheap.

Answer 8

A good place to start might be the theory of McDonaldization of society (George Ritzer).

Answer 9

I think they are so successful because a lot of people don't know how to cook, won't cook, or just can't cook for one person. My uncle lives alone and he eats out three time a day..

Answer 10

Ask the fat kids!