3 ms·

I'm not sure about peak burger, but peak burger chain would be nice.

prawn 10y ago
Is the prevalence of fast food chains unique to the US? I spent three weeks in France earlier this year, I saw 1-2 recognisable fast food brands from afar and that was it. In 1-2 weeks in the US, you would see multiple franchises each of 20 brands comfortably? Here in Australia, there might be 5-8 quite common ones. I know why they are popular - predictability for one thing - but why significantly less so outside the US? Regional populations? Developed earlier?
- detaro 10y ago
  20 brands in the same area? Or in different parts of the country? Wikipedia has this list, which shows a lot of variation, but I'm not sure how reliable it is with smaller chains. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fast_food_restaurant_chains https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fast_food_restaurant_c... Also depends on where you visit: the largest cities often have a lot more brands than more average places. Frequency and traditions of eating out/cooking at home very likely play a role, as do food preferences (does a bakery chain count?).
  - prawn 10y ago
    20 brands in the same 1-2 state US trip. Say, driving from LA to Vegas. Places like KFC, Arby's, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell, Subway, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, Carl's Jr, Dairy Queen, Chick fil-A, Del Taco, Jack in the Box, El Pollo Loco, Panda Express, Red Lobster, Chipotle, Chili's, IHOP, Hooters, Olive Garden, etc. Most of these are just going by roadside signs. There are loads more that you generally get within cities (Five Guys, etc).
- rtpg 10y ago
  In France you have a lot of "local" fast food in downtown areas already. There's the consistency argument for going to a chain, but there's also a decent amount of competition. People are walking around more, taking mass transit, so foot traffic alone can be enough to get some clients. Whereas in the US, everyone's driving by your restaurant, so without those Golden Arches out front, you get about 2 seconds to convince someone to stop. This is just an informed guess, though.
- chrismcb 10y ago
  The burger is basically "American food" it really is hard to find outside of USA. And usually it isn't good, the meat tastes odd. This is even true at places like McDonald's outside of USA.
  - cylinder 10y ago
    What? No. McDonalds in the US is amongst the worst. In Australia, not only is McDonalds of better quality but there are lots of new burger places doing better American style burgers than I can find here in the center of Manhattan...
  - prawn 10y ago
    Burgers are very easy to find in Australasia and Europe. Most pubs/bistros will have one on the menu. And there are loads of small burger places in Australia too.

prawn 10y ago

Is the prevalence of fast food chains unique to the US? I spent three weeks in France earlier this year, I saw 1-2 recognisable fast food brands from afar and that was it. In 1-2 weeks in the US, you would see multiple franchises each of 20 brands comfortably? Here in Australia, there might be 5-8 quite common ones. I know why they are popular - predictability for one thing - but why significantly less so outside the US? Regional populations? Developed earlier?

detaro 10y ago
20 brands in the same area? Or in different parts of the country? Wikipedia has this list, which shows a lot of variation, but I'm not sure how reliable it is with smaller chains. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fast_food_restaurant_chains https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fast_food_restaurant_c... Also depends on where you visit: the largest cities often have a lot more brands than more average places. Frequency and traditions of eating out/cooking at home very likely play a role, as do food preferences (does a bakery chain count?).
- prawn 10y ago
  20 brands in the same 1-2 state US trip. Say, driving from LA to Vegas. Places like KFC, Arby's, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell, Subway, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, Carl's Jr, Dairy Queen, Chick fil-A, Del Taco, Jack in the Box, El Pollo Loco, Panda Express, Red Lobster, Chipotle, Chili's, IHOP, Hooters, Olive Garden, etc. Most of these are just going by roadside signs. There are loads more that you generally get within cities (Five Guys, etc).
rtpg 10y ago
In France you have a lot of "local" fast food in downtown areas already. There's the consistency argument for going to a chain, but there's also a decent amount of competition. People are walking around more, taking mass transit, so foot traffic alone can be enough to get some clients. Whereas in the US, everyone's driving by your restaurant, so without those Golden Arches out front, you get about 2 seconds to convince someone to stop. This is just an informed guess, though.
chrismcb 10y ago
The burger is basically "American food" it really is hard to find outside of USA. And usually it isn't good, the meat tastes odd. This is even true at places like McDonald's outside of USA.
- cylinder 10y ago
  What? No. McDonalds in the US is amongst the worst. In Australia, not only is McDonalds of better quality but there are lots of new burger places doing better American style burgers than I can find here in the center of Manhattan...
- prawn 10y ago
  Burgers are very easy to find in Australasia and Europe. Most pubs/bistros will have one on the menu. And there are loads of small burger places in Australia too.