Trends in the Fast Food Industry

Today the United States leads the world with the largest fast food industry. American fast food chains operate in over 100 countries. Despite health concerns, rising costs, and COVID-19, US adults continue to consume fast food in large amounts. And the industry shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. For more information, check out Hubworks’ statistics on America’s top fast food chains, or Datafiniti’s ranking of cities with the highest concentration of fast food restaurants.

Trends

One of the biggest trends in the fast food industry is the emergence of digital food ordering. The shift is taking place at a rapid pace as consumers move away from the traditional way of placing orders and toward more convenient and transparent digital ordering options. This trend is expected to benefit the fast food industry and create new development opportunities for new entrants.

The demand for convenience food is increasing globally. This trend is influenced by millennials’ fast-paced lifestyles and an expanding working population. Consumer expenditure on food consumed outside the home has increased significantly in the past few years, complemented by the growth of the labor force and increasing population density.

In the last two years, the food supply chain has gone through a transformational period. This shift is being driven by consumer demands, resulting in the bankruptcy of many fast-food outlets and increased sales at supermarkets. This trend is expected to continue throughout 2022 and become more prominent. In response to consumer demand, fast-food restaurant franchises are creating menus with healthier options for those with dietary restrictions and/or health concerns.

Another major change that has been seen in the fast food industry is the growing popularity of healthy and vegan food. The number of vegetarian and vegan fast food restaurants is steadily increasing. The plant-based trend is paving the way for the fast food industry. For instance, Deliveroo reported a significant increase in vegan demand in 2017 and doubled its number of vegan restaurants in 2018. This upward trend is set to continue into 2022, and it is expected to continue to grow.

Other trends in the fast food industry include the emergence of mobile payment options. With more customers adopting smartphones and tablet computers, fast food restaurants will need to develop payment applications on their mobile devices. The use of mobile payments will also be increasingly prevalent in curbside and delivery concepts.

Market size

The fast food industry is a growing sector in the world. It is growing because of millennials’ busy lifestyles and the expansion of the working population. This growth is complemented by increased consumer expenditure on food consumed outside of the home. But it faces challenges, including increased health awareness and food safety regulations.

According to a Transparency Market Research report, the global fast food industry will reach US$617.1 billion by 2019. The growth rate is expected to be moderate, with a CAGR of 4.6%. The fast food industry will continue to grow due to the wide variety of fast foods available. However, rising awareness of the health risks associated with these fast foods is expected to limit the industry’s growth.

In the U.S., Papa John’s International has signed a domestic franchisee development agreement with Sun Holdings, which plans to open 100 stores across Texas by 2029. This research report includes a detailed industry analysis and identifies leading companies, products, and services. It also highlights significant trends in the industry.

The Asia-Pacific region is set to enjoy high growth in the fast food industry over the next few years. Rising disposable income, urbanization, and an increased number of people adopting a western lifestyle have made this region an attractive market. Fast food companies are attracting many consumers in these regions who value convenience and ease of use.

The market for fast food is highly fragmented, with many major players competing for market share. According to a 2017 report, McDonald’s accounted for 21.4% of the market in 2018. However, other fast food companies have smaller market shares. Starbucks, for example, operates more than 42,000 restaurants in over 100 countries, with a 42% market share in the US alone.

Impact on society

There are a variety of negative impacts caused by the fast food industry. These include diet-related disease, worker exploitation, environmental degradation, and systemic animal abuse. As a result of its growth and expansion, the industry has created an environment that encourages the consumption of unhealthy food. Luckily, some companies have responded to the criticism and are introducing healthier menu options.

Moreover, the high sugar, fat, and additive content of many fast food chains negatively affect the human brain. This can inhibit the hippocampus, which is responsible for the formation of new neurons. This reduces a person’s ability to learn and form better connections within the brain. As a result, people are missing out on socialization and quality time with their families.

The fast food industry is changing at a rapid pace. Recent technological advances have enabled customers to order food online, and some chains have implemented self-service kiosks and order-ahead services. The industry also has expanded to new geographic areas and has even embraced digital ordering. With these advances, the fast food industry continues to attract customers.

Online food delivery services

The on-demand economy has impacted many industries, including the food industry. With an abundance of choices and the growing need for convenience, consumers are increasingly demanding food services that are available on the go. The fast food industry is no exception. Many restaurants have partnered with third-party food delivery services to accept orders and deliver them to customers. Others have introduced their own online ordering systems to take advantage of increased customer demand for food services.

The rise of online food delivery services has led to increased competition and investment in food delivery technology. There are now several major players in this market, including Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Postmates. While each of these businesses is capable of fulfilling orders from restaurants, the business model has its challenges. The large service fees are a source of concern for restaurants that depend on delivery services for their business.

The online food delivery market has grown tremendously over the past five years. Today, customers can order food online and have it delivered directly to their homes. This method has significantly impacted restaurants’ bottom lines. In fact, it is expected that online food ordering will increase to $220 billion by 2025, accounting for roughly 40% of the food industry’s total sales.

PFAs in fast food

Several companies, including Burger King, McDonald’s, and Chick-fil-A, have pledged to phase out PFAS in their food packaging by the end of the decade. However, other companies have not yet made this commitment. As of March 2019, Arby’s and Cava are the only major fast-food companies that have not committed to phasing out PFAS in their packaging.

A new Consumer Reports investigation has uncovered widespread use of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the fast food industry. These chemicals are used in packaging to repel grease and oil and protect food processing equipment. However, there are many concerns surrounding these chemicals, and many scientists recommend that these chemicals be banned for non-essential use.

Some experts fear that PFOA exposure could lead to a wide range of health problems. The chemical can damage the immune system and reduce resistance to infectious diseases. In addition, it has been linked to several diseases, including cancer and higher cholesterol levels. Further, research suggests that PFAs may cause liver damage and kidney disease.

Researchers believe that PFAs are a threat to our health and the environment. Many of these chemicals leach from fast food packaging and end up in our food and water. Some researchers even believe that the levels of these chemicals are higher among people who frequently eat out. Furthermore, the chemicals are also found in landfills, incinerated waste, and air. Consequently, health advocates have been working to reduce the use of these chemicals. Some grocery chains have already taken action and have begun to phase out the use of PFAS in their packaging. Another way to limit your exposure to PFAS is to cook from scratch. This will decrease your reliance on mystery suppliers and increase your chances of avoiding food that contains PFAS. PFASs are most commonly found in non-stick coatings on appliances and in the packaging of food products. Therefore, the more you can process at home, the lower the risk of contamination.