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What really makes a restaurant considered fast food? Students and staff are divided.
By: Sean Haralson & Vaughn Meyer
McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King. They’re all considered fast food chain restaurants, but what makes them fast food? According to DHS students, the features that are the most important are Drive-thrus, cheaper prices, low-quality, and pre-made food. However, there is a debate about what makes a restaurant fast food or not fast food. Some people believe Starbucks, Chipotle, and Tropical Smoothie fit into the category; others say Panera, Popeyes, and Taco Bell. But the question is, “Is there one right answer on what makes a restaurant “Fast Food”?
“A fast food restaurant needs to be fast, not the highest quality food, but a good price, pretty cheap.” – Junior AJ Terpak.
The top three categories, according to students, that make something fast food are: having some sort of drive-thru, the wait times (how fast you get your food after you order), and having lower prices (approximately $10-$15 for one meal).
Carter Hill noted that fast food “disregards nutrition” and is “more based on pleasure.”
We asked students about some controversial restaurants, and whether they were fast food or not. 53% of students said Five Guys is considered fast food, even though they have higher prices.
47% of students said Jersey Mikes and Jimmy Johns are fast food even though they only sell sandwiches. Only 35% of students think Chipotle is fast food, meaning most students think restaurants like Chipotle and Qdoba are not considered fast food.
“[Chipotle is] not considered fast food because we have to make it like every morning, and we remake more food as the day goes on,” said junior Sam Behnke, who works at Chipotle.
Although most people believe Chipotle is not a fast food restaurant, a lot of students and teachers disagree.
“I’m going to classify [Chipotle] as fast food due to the amount of speed,” Economics teacher Rob Dubay said. “…It’s better quality than most fast food places, but I would still consider it fast food.”
So, what’s the answer? What is fast food? Well, surprise, there really is no correct answer.
“There’s not a standard one that would appear if you Googled it,” English teacher Alex Heidtke said.”I think some will look at a definition for fast food, and some will probably always look at it from a perspective of the health factors. Some will look at it from a perspective of literally like, when do I receive the food like what speed at which does it come out?”
No matter how much people debate or data is gathered, there likely will never be a clear-cut answer.
“…It’s really hard for a group of people to all come to the same definition,” Heidtke added.
That’s just the way it is. Fast food varies from person to person, and whether or not we agree about it, there is no right answer. Our need to find an answer might never be satisfied.
