The Increase and Decrease in Fast Food Consumption - Case Study Example

Proliferation of Fast Food Franchises and the Consumption of Fast Foods Introduction In the recent years, fast foods have received considerable attention worldwide as their consumption of the rising side. With the increase in consumption levels of these foods, the number of fast food restaurants has been dramatically increasing. Many families today give preference to fast foods and consume them as complete meals. However, in play, there are a list of factors that account for the increase and decrease of fast food consumption (Allan, Cameron, Bamber, and Oliver 60). This paper will give significant priority to the factors that are affecting the increase and decrease in fast food consumption and the reasons behind the dramatic rise in the fast food restaurants. Adverts account for the recent increase in the intake of fast food. The fast food giants like the Burger King, McDonald, and KFC, have huge frequent and quality adverts that frequently run on kids and adult televisions. The adverts have also dominated kids’ online sites and other social sites. These adverts account for the rise in the intake of fast foods and increases in the number of fast foods restaurants all over the world (Richardson, Boone-Heinonen, Popkin and Gordon-Larsen 4). The increase in fast food advertisements has led to a rise in the worldwide market all over the world. However, a higher percentage of the market comprises of kids who rush off to restaurants for these tasty, low-cost foods. This elevated demand has seen continuous erection of more fast food restaurants (Richardson, Boone-Heinonen, Popkin and Gordon-Larsen 5). It is no doubt that the primary reason for the increase in the consumption of fast foods is the fact that the fast foods are time saving. The home prepared food does need not only time to prepare, but also a lot of time in the shopping centres and added time for washing the dishes and the kitchen. These problems do not exist when one goes for fast foods. Some restaurants have also improved the time-saving aspect by introducing the drive-through services. Drive-through gives the customers the advantage of picking whatever fast food they have ordered without getting off their cars. They pick their order as they drive through (Weekly Reader News 4). The increase in fast food consumption has also been on the rise because not everyone knows how to cook. A large world population does not know how to cook. At times, it is also normal that people do not feel like cooking. Therefore, it is an excellent alternative for the people who do not like or do not know how to cook (Weekly Reader News 4). Fast foods are relatively cheaper than the home cooked foods. For instance, for people who live on their own, it is possible to end up with more than necessary. When cooking at home, one not only spend on food, but also in all the ingredients needed to prepare the food. Unlike the home cooked foods, fast foods are cheaper as one only buys the consumable amount and no extra expenses on the additional ingredients. Fast foods are far less expensive than the home cooked. The urge to save some extra pennies is leading a large population into consuming more fast foods hence creating a tremendous market demand which in turn increases the number of investors settling for fast food restaurants (Weekly Reader News 4). Response to the economic downturns is also a significant factor that explains the current increase in fast food restaurants and the consumption of these fast foods. Because these foods are cheaper, they are always preferred during the economic downturns. Therefore, fast food restaurants remain even more profitable during economic downturns. The fact that the fast food restaurants are resistant to the economic downturn is increasing the investors’ interests in the fast food restaurants (Weekly Reader News 5). Fast foods restaurants also provide a wide variety of choices to choose from. It is easy that everyone will get one or more types that work well with him. The wide assortment of fast foods gives people a taste of different cultures, as there are many international foods to choose from; some restaurants provide Chinese noodles, Chinese burger, Italian foods, Mexican foods and many others. Therefore, the allure to feel the cultural taste is another factor that is leading to the increasing consumption of fast foods (Allan, Cameron, Bamber, and Oliver 60). Many fast food restaurants also provide calorie counts posts on the menu. By posting calorie count on the menu, fast foods consumers can now decide to choose a low-calorie food. This has helps to reduce the calories that a customer can consume without intending to. This was brought into existence by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. This nutrition information has promoted an increase in the consumption of fast foods as there is a high possibility to avoid high-calorie counts that lead to the chronic complications (Burns and Inglis 89). The increase in the consumption has also been significantly affected by the fact that fast foods are very delicious. Many people who consume fast foods and even those who do not prefer fast foods agree that fast foods are tastier than the home made meals. This has been the main reason many kids prefer fast foods. Kids may have a lot of food at home but still end up going for fast foods (Allan, Cameron, Bamber, and Oliver 61). Despite the fact that the consumption of fast foods is on the rise, it is also important to consider the factors that try to reduce the consumption of fast foods. The principle factor that lessen the consumption of fast food is the health factor. Over consumption of fast foods lead to chronic illnesses such as obesity, heart complications, kidney complications and cancer. The announcement of these chronic conditions instill fear in many people hence limiting their consumption of fast foods (Burns and Inglis 89). Another factor that calls for the reduction of the consumption of these fast foods is the fact that they hinder family ties and bonds. Some families prefer to eat together at home since there is a massive room for chats during meals. Unlike homemade meals, fast foods are mainly taken quickly in restaurants where there is little time to spend and chat with family (Burns and Inglis 89). Conclusion The recent increase in the number of fast food restaurants has been caused by the rise in the consumption of the fast foods. Consumption of fast foods, on the other hand, has been increasing due to the frequent convincing advertisements on televisions, websites and other media hence creating market for the fast foods. The consumption has also increased because of the cost effectiveness of these fast foods; they are convenient, and time-saving since there is no cooking and waiting. The fast foods are also tasty and appealing; this is another reason most people have given preference to these foods, especially kids. On the other hand, factors such as the health complications caused by overconsumption of fast foods accounts for the population pulling out of fast food consumption. Being that fast foods do not provide room for building family ties has also left some families avoiding fast foods and fast food restaurants. However, with the recent calorie post in fast food restaurant menus, there is likely to be a sharp rise in the consumption of fast foods as consumers will make a choice basing on the calorie count in various foods (Allan, Cameron, Bamber, and Oliver 61). Works Cited Allan, Cameron, Greg Bamber, and Damian Oliver. "Student Experiences at Work and Attitudes to Unionism: A Study of Retailing and Fast Food." (0): Print. Andrea Richardson S, Janne Boone, Barry Popkin and Penny Gordon: Neighborhood fast food restaurants and fast food consumption: A national study: Public Health (2011) pg 1-8 Burns, C. M., and A. D. Inglis. "Measuring food access in Melbourne: Access to healthy and fast foods by car, bus and foot in an urban municipality in Melbourne." Health & Place (2007): n. pag. Print. The New York Times: Health Guide: Fast food (2011). Retrieved on December 1, 2014. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/nutrition/fast-foods/news-and-features.html Weekly Reader News Edition 4-6: Burger Battles: A new study shows fast-food advertising to kids is on the rise. Pg 4-5 Read More