Fast Food Chapter Summaries

1. In chapter one, the author talks about how the fast food industry began and how the car culture played a key role in the business. The second chapter described some of the marketing techniques used, including Walt Disney and how kids were being targeted to get more consumers. Chapter three talked on it was the young men and women of America who were working behind the counters at the fast food joints and how they were getting the minimum wage and companies were always trying to find the best ways to save money and keep costs down to a minimum. Chapter four discussed the relationships between franchises and their franchisees including how difficult and expensive it can be to own just one. In chapter five, it explained how French Fries

The story focuses on modern America, particularly the Midwest where there were numerous factories, plants and headquarters. There was also a “flashback” from the early to mid-20th century that described the beginnings of some of the well-known corporations such as McDonalds and Carl’s Jr. The setting is important because all this started around the end of the Industrial Period and beginning of the Informational Period, both of which had significant advances.

5. Some of the important symbols are the cattle and company logos, such as the golden arches (Mickey D’s). Firstly, the cattle in the story referred to not only the burgers or whatever they were put in, but they also symbolized a sign of hard labor. In a section of the book, it talked about the working conditions of some of the meat packing plants and how people were constantly being amputated and even killed, all for a meager wage. Secondly, although it wasn’t as obvious, the book talked about how company logos have become as much as recognizable as famous characters such as the Easter Bunny.

6. Eric Schlosser included the element of flashback at some points in order to give the reader an idea how some of the cooperation’s got started from simple roots. This helps the reader get a better understanding of how it all got started and in the time period it