Fast Food Nation: chapter 1

1. What restaurant chain did Carl Karcher start?

- Carl Karcher started a hot dog stand restaurant chain. "When Carl heard that a hot dog cart was for sale-on Florence Avenue across from the Goodyear factory-he decided to buy it." (pg.6)

2. Why did General Motors want to buy trolley systems throughout the U.S.?

- General Motors wanted to buy trolley systems throughout the U.S. because they knew driving was a cheaper way to travel, and most people were starting to drive more, so they thought they would make good money if people had to stop and pay at trolley stops to continue to their destination. "Daily travel was freed from the hassles of rail schedules, the needs of other passengers, and the location of trolley stops." (pg.7-8) "More importantly, driving seemed to cost much less than using public transport-..." (pg.8)

3. What was the "Speedee Service System" and how was it different from what other fast food restaurants were doing?

- The "Speedee Service System" was a faster way of eating, and a faster way of obtaining the food. It was different from what other fast food restaurants were doing because instead of using glass plates, knives and forks, everything was paper and plastic. They also had different employees preparing each part of the order. "The brothers got rid of their dishes and glassware, replacing them with paper cups, paper bags, and paper plates. They divided the food preparation into separate tasks performed by different workers." (pg. 13-14)

Fast Food Nation: Introduction

1. How does the amount spent on fast food compare with the amount spent on other things in our society?

- Americans spend a great amount of money buying fast food than buying important things such as computers for a better education. "In 1970, Americans spent about $6 billion on fast food; in 2001, they spent more than $110 billion. Americans now spend more money on fast food than on higher education, personal computers, computer software, or new cars." (pg. xvi)

2. Why is fast food worth studying?

- Fast food is worth studying because it is important to know what you are consuming. It might taste good, but it is extremely bad for your health. Fast food companies do not tell you the ingredients their food contains. "But the steady barrage of fast food ads, full of thick juicy burgers and long golden fries, rarely mentions where these foods come from nowadays or what ingredients they contain." (pg. xxi)

3. Where is the hearth of the fast food industry?

- The hearth of the fast food industry is southern California. "An industy that began with a handful of modest hot dog and hamburger stands in southern California has spread to every corner of the nation, selling a broad range of foods wherever paying customers may be found. (pg. xvi)