Cause and effect for the popularity of fast food restaurants, And how it is effecting us - Essay Example

Direct links can be observed between the habitual use of fast food, the portion sizes, and the soaring increases of the proliferation of these types of restaurants. The hurried pace of life within the United States and the high profitability of fast food has caused the streets to be filled with these types of restaurants and has consequently contributed significantly to the increases that can be observed in the rates of obesity. The leading competitor in the fast food industry is McDonalds with 19% of all sales in the fast food industry going to this restaurant chain.

The second corporation is Doctor’s Associates, Inc. which owns Subway at 10% of the revenue, with Yum Brands, which owns KFC, A&W, Long John Silvers, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Yum Restaurants coming in third. The top seven competing fast food restaurants only hold 45% of the market, with McDonald’s holding 19% of that share making them the most powerful fast food restaurant in the United States (McDonald’s MCD). Therefore, looking at McDonalds has the best value in assessing the position of fast food for the American public The profitability of fast food restaurants in balance with the quick resource of food has created a large industry of fast food within the United States.

With the ease of drive-through windows, the speed of food delivery, and the high levels of advertising engaging the viewers with the value of fast, high calorie fatty foods, the American public is up against a difficult temptation. In 2007, the McDonald’s corporation made 22.8 billion dollars, with Doctor’s Associates, Inc bringing in 11.3 billion dollars (McDonald’s MCD). McDonald’s stays on top by actively pursuing areas of marketing development, market penetration, product development, and diversification.

In the 2007 annual report, McDonald’s discussed the advantages and marketing purposes of adding healthy choices to their menu, however despite these changes 75%