I wonder if we're starting to see the beginning of the end of fast food chains?

So many big ones are failing, if not already on the brink of collapse. Subway, KFC, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Dairy Queen, even the mighty McDonald's. Each have closed hundreds of restaurants in recent years and just seem to be on a downward spiral. Fast food will always be a thing, from independent restaurants to food trucks. But in the coming years, they may be all that's left of the fast food industry and all the chains will have disappeared. If so, will it really be that bad of a loss?

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cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

Won’t break my heart if that happens. I think those little food stands we had back in the 60’s had food that tasted so much better than fast food restaurants. They didn’t have much of a footprint in size, most had no dining area except maybe a couple picnic tables out by the building, they didn’t have to have furniture inside or other things that cost money, and they didn’t need to advertise. There wasn’t much to heat or air condition either so their utility rates were very low. We had chicken stands that were for takeaway and hamburger stands generally located within walking distance of junior highs and that sort of thing. I would love to see more of those. If the cities would stop with their rules that eventually caused them to stop being built.

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hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M

@cherokeepatti We never had school lunches provided by the schools. We brought our own lunch that probably Mom made and packaged with love and great taste. I remember a friend of mine biting into a bullet. His dad had shot a duck and his mom cooked it and used the meat in his lunch.

cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

@hippyjoe1955 They were at every school I went to except one here. And this city was a lot larger than the small town schools I had gone too. No cafeteria in the building but they sold cartons of milk to go with the packed lunches that we brought and ate in our classroom. The school lunches back when I was young were really good. We had things like Sloppy Joes and Salisbury Steaks with gravy & mashed potatoes that I never had at home.Also they baked fresh bread and rolls, cornbread and other good things.

hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M

@cherokeepatti That sounds like a good meal. I had a lot of sandwiches made out of the left over roast beef or chicken. Sometimes we would get a left over pork chop but that was pretty rare. Mom was a really good cook and her pork chops were eaten as fast as she could cook them.

hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M

About the only two chains that are failing here are Arbys and Burger King. All the rest are doing OK. I won't say fine because money it tight and not everyone can afford to eat fast food.

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hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M

@lilylovesgaming1986 Yeah there aren't many of them left. I haven't gone to one in almost 30 years. I don't like their hamburgers.

lilylovesgaming1986 · 36-40, F

@hippyjoe1955 I don't think I ever ate there before

cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

@hippyjoe1955 There is a Thai restaurant that I can have lunch specials at through the weekdays and it’s a lot of food and very healthy & flavorful. Less $ than paying for fast food too. I was craving curry when I had cancer 2 years ago and was losing so much weight. I finally gave in and got some and it helped my appetite and I stopped losing weight and started gaining some of it back.

Fieldmaster · 46-50, M

Lets look at their year or year earnings, and shift in post covid business model and strategy.

Unfortunately, I do not have time to list and compare all of those income statements etc and make a call.

Yes, consumers are making different choices, if you just look at changes in the menu it will indicate the shift in strategy to capture larger audiance or customer choosing healthier food options..

Beside there are way too many options and fast food chains. New ones coming board. Market shar is shrinking.

Nyxxx · 22-25, F

@Fieldmaster "Too many options".
That makes no sense. More options are better, since it means you are more likely to be able to get what you want.

Charity · 61-69

I went in a major grocer's bought a 5 lb roll of ground beef it had already went up to 18 dollars within 2 weeks it had went up to 24.99 and it is likewise and all other grocers. Frozen apple juice went from $1.27 to $1.86 in one week. Prices are going up and to spend $10 for a hamburger, and french fries, and a drink, or two pieces of chicken, french fries, and a drink, ridiculous but there are people who do.

Pretzel · 70-79, M

I look for more automation and fewer employees

jackrabbit10 · M

when you're paying 7.00 $ for a burger, most people will eat at home,

AthrillatheHunt · 51-55, M

Taco Bell Wars is coming

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Ducky · 31-35, F

@Docdon23 I agree. I’d take a food truck over them any day.

Docdon23 · M

@Ducky I try to cook my own food, vegan and healthy--Americans are killing themselves with quick an easy and unhealthy

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