How Do You Decide?

In the world of restaurants generally accepted as officially fast food, there are a number of similarities that could make it hard to decide where to stop. Certainly, there are those that stand out in the crowd–places like Sonic and Chik-Fil-A–but many of the rest of them have only minor differences.

So, how do you decide which burger you want or what fried chicken or whose fried side? It seems as though the most important common denominator among fast-food chains is the convenience factor. Therefore, it’s often the most convenient place that gets the best business.

First to be considered is–you got it–location, location, location. If it’s actually on my way to the shore, I’m a whole lot more likely to stop than if it’s a block over from the road I take. Each turn away from my planned route will proportionately diminish the desire to grab a bite. The longer it takes to get there, the more time I have to talk myself out of the calories I really don’t need and back into the cash I really do.

Not only is it a matter of where in town, but it’s also a matter of how easy to access and on which side of the road. The Dunkin Donuts with two entrance/exits is going to be more likely to get my on-the-way-to-work business than the 7-Eleven with only one. The last thing I want is the hassle of waiting in line or risking getting stuck in the lot when somebody gets distracted and starts to pull into the lot before there’s room, then he can’t get in, and he can’t back out into the road, and I have to wait until he figures out what to do. Since the Taco Bell is on the right side of the road on my way home from work, I’ll stop there to grab a before-dinner snack, even though I’d really rather have KFC, which is directly opposite, on the other side of the road. You see, it’s just too much trouble to cross a four-lane highway and then have to cross it again, to be headed back in the right direction to get home.

These days, drive-thrus are a must, for those of us who think we don’t have time to park the car, get out of the car, go inside, stand in line inside, get back out to the car, and get back on the road. Never mind the fact that we seem to often sit in line in the drive thru and watch other people pull into the parking lot after us, park their cars, go inside, come back out, get in their cars, and leave, all before we’ve gotten to order. Somehow, drive-thru just feels more convenient (especially when it’s raining or there are kids in the car).

Location and access aside, consider the financial aspect of fast food. Is it as cheap as the stereotype would suggest? Not really–two people can rack up a $20 bill pretty quickly, even with the combo meals that seem as though they ought to save you money. Although most chains do have value menus of some kind, somehow, it still seems to add up, especially if you have dessert. Thankfully, for those of us who don’t have a whole lot of extra cash floating around, many chains have started distributing coupons. In some cases, it is possible to get a full meal for $5, if you’re not picky about what you’re getting or the details of how it’s prepared. For people like me, the coupons can be the deciding factor, if location isn’t an issue.

Okay, so that’s location and finances. Does the food make a difference? “Of course!” you say. Are you sure? Think about it–have you ever settled for something not quite as good, because it was easier to get or less expensive? Most of us are guilty, at one point or another, of being Bunyan’s Passion, rather than Patience. Fast food caters to our natural impatience, and we have lots of options from which to choose!