Study Guide

You should do well on the test (and on weekly quizzes) if you can answer the following questions. Remember, this is a guide and is not intended to be an advance copy of the questions on the quiz or the test.

  • Introduction
    • How does the amount spent on fast food compare with the amount spent on other things in our society?
      We do not spend nearly enough on other things that could be a necessity as we do on fast food. In 2001 it was reported that $110 Billion was spent on fast food alone.

    • Why is fast food worth studying?
      It is worth studying because our nation has made fast food such a phenomenon, but we do not even what goes on behind the counter.

    • What are some of the observations about McDonald's made by the author?
      That McDonalds has been the most successful fast food business in the world. It continues to grow with over 30 thousand locations open world wide.

    • What does the author say about independent farmers?
      It says that independent farmers hire illegal immigrants to work, but they do not give them what they need causing them to go to the bathroom in the fields and other disgusting things. That is how E- Coli develops sometimes.

    • What does the author say about the political clout of the meat packing industry?
      The author describes how most do not know the truth of how the meat packing industry functions. He exploited them for what they truly are; disgusting unlawful people.
       
    • According to the author, why did he write this book?
      The author wrote this book to show the dark side of the fast food industry for what it truly is.
  • Chapter 1, "The Founding Fathers"
    • What restaurant chain did Carl Karcher start?
      Carl Karcher began the fast food chain "Carl's Jr."

    • Why did General Motors want to buy trolley systems throughout the U.S.?
      GM chose to buy the trolley systems because they could tear them down and ensure people needed transportation by making buses and making cars.

    • What was the "Speedee Service System" and how was it different from what other fast food restaurants were doing?
      The speedee service system was the assembly line of fast food. They formed an assembly line is where each person would man their station making sure a fast food system functions properly.

    • What were some of the characteristics of the men who started the fast food industry?
      Some characteristics of the fast food founders were that they were high school dropouts that wanted to begin a fast food business as a get rich quick scheme.

    • What were some of the other fast food restaurants that were inspired by McDonald's approach to food service?
      Some other fast food chains influenced by McDonalds was In-N-Out Burger, Whataburger, Burger King etc.
  • Chapter 2, "Your Trusted Friends"
    • What are some of the parallels between Ray Kroc and Walt Disney?
      Ray Kroc and Walt Disney were best friends in high school and they grow up together. They also owned the biggest franchises in the world.

    • How does the author describe Walt Disney and Ray Kroc's involvement in politics?
      They sponsored a lot during political races to influence votes.

    • What is synergy in marketing and what are some of the ways that fast food companies practice synergy?
      Synergy is a business marketing strategy where two companies unite in order to double profits for both companies. For example, Disney advertises with their toys in McDonalds kids meals, therefore kids will go to McDonalds to collect the toy also resulting in the want to go to Disneyland because of their love for their favorite character.

    • Why, in the 1980s, did companies start marketing to kids and what were some of the ways in which they did this?
      In the 80's companies began to market to the young so they could present themselves as good influences throughout the kid's lives. For example, advertise to a 5 year old so he thinks McDonalds is then it becomes a child hood past time. When people love something in their chid hood usually their opinion rarely chages.

    • How successful have efforts been to limit advertising aimed at children? What does the author say about marketing fast food products in the schools?
      They have been unsuccessful until recently. This is because the new movement towards a healthy lifestyle. He explains how the influence is done to kids and through the school system.
  • Chapter 3, "Behind the Counter"
    • In what ways is Colorado Springs today much like southern California?
      It has been industrialized and for a place that is supposed to be ran by the it natural scenery, it is beginning to look more and more like an urban city full of restaurants, fast food, and a whole lot of money.

    • What new businesses have moved into Colorado Springs in recent years?
      Fast food businesses have entered Colorado Springs, along with aerospace, and many other industrializing markets.

    • What type of business is the largest private employer in the state of Colorado?
      The restaurant business is the largest private employer.

    • How does McDonald's decide where to build new restaurants?
      They decide to build where they can either be most noticed or most populated. For example, a huge sign off the freeway that is noticeable for miles and is away from the closest city will automatically attract anyone that is hungry. Building a fast food stand near by a high school will attract hundreds of kids for lunch or after school meals.

    • Why are so many fast food employees teenagers?
      Because working at a fast food restaurant is the most simplistic job. You have to man only one station, you need no prior experience in a previous work force, it is simply easy money which teenagers love.

    • What is "throughput?" Where did the term come from and how does it apply to the fast food industry?
      Throughput is recognized as scientific management. It involves very large manuals for very simple jobs. It is an extremely well known marketing stunt for fast food employers.

    • What is meant by "McDonald's English?"
      McDonalds English is the language that is spoken at McDonalds. All it is, is the use of exact terms that the employees understand after being trained through trainers and their instruction manual.

    • What is the average job turnover rate in the fast food industry?
      The average job turnover rate is 300- 400%.

    • How has the "real value" of wages at fast food restaurants changed over time?
      The real value changes because they promise $10-$15, but in reality they only offer minimum wage.

    • How has the fast food industry responded to efforts to unionize its workers?
      McDonalds found it an outrage to unionize.

    • How many workers at McDonald's in North America are unionized?
      3 quarters of McDonalds workers have signed union cards.

    • What are the benefits and costs of having teenagers work after school?
      The benefits of working after school is that it keeps kids off the street. The downfall is that it prevents kids from participating in extra curricular activities and it makes it difficult to finish homework at late times.

    • What is the impact of the Fair Labor Standards Act and of Colorado state law on the hours that kids in Colorado Springs work at fast food restaurants?
      It limits minors for the hours they are able to work.

    • What does the author say about robbery and murder in fast food restaurants?
      He explains when most robberies occur at fast food restaurants.

    • Who is often responsible for committing robberies of fast food restaurants?
      The workers themselves.

    • How has the fast food industry responded to efforts by OSHA to reduce workplace violence?
      There really hasn't been any reactions violence still takes place.
  • Chapter 4, "Success"
    • What was different about the way McDonald's franchised businesses?
      McDonalds franchise businesses differently by requiring a minimum non borrowed amount.

    • How does the cost of a McDonald's franchise compare with the cost of a franchise from other fast food chains?
      It doesn't compare to toher franchises by making a larger profit and have odd guidelines to purchasing a franchise.

    • How does the failure rate of franchises in general compare with that of other businesses?
      In my opinion it does not really compare. You will always see fast food businesses compared to others such as department stores and what not. Fast food will be here as long as we let it.

    • Among franchises what is "encroachment?"
      It is when one franchise opens an establishment near an opponent franchise in order to take away their sells.

    • What are some of the disadvantages of running a franchise?


    • What fast food chain is considered the worst in its treatment of franchisees?
      Wendy's is considered to be the worst, especially after Dave Thomas died.
  • Chapter 5, "Why the Fries Taste Good"
    • What connection does J. R. Simplot have to the fast food industry?
      J.R. made a billion dollar business off of being a supplier of potatoes.

    • How have the potato farms in Idaho changed in the last 25 years or so?
      It has changed by rather than shipping fresh potatoes, frozen potatoes previously made into french fries and preserved with chemicals are shipped.

    • What is PGI and how successful has it been at organizing potato farmers?
      PGI is an acronym representing the "Potato Growers of Idaho". It has been extremely successful and is still in business celebrating 50 years.

    • What is the "fallacy of composition?"
      Fallacy of composition arises when one infers that if something or someone can do it, then everything or everyone can do the same thing.

    • What makes McDonald's french fries taste different from the fries of other fast food restaurants?
      They taste different because their fries are made by other companies with natural and artificial flavors then they are frozen till fried.

    • What are some of the similarities and some of the differences between "artificial flavors" and "natural flavors?"
      Both flavors are man made additives.
  • Chapter 6, "On the Range"
    • What are some of the problems facing cattle ranchers?
      Some serious problems facing cattle ranchers is the meat packing industry and their cruel and inhumane ways of killing their cattle. Another issue is how corporate giants are buying their land and kicking them out of the area.

    • What impact has the consolidation of the meat packing industry had on cattle ranchers?
      Meat packing industries are now using multiple cattle ranches concluding to less business for just one cattle rancher, now many cattle ranchers are being used which overall means less money for the cattleman.

    • What are "captive supplies" of cattle?
      Captive supply is the term used when a company does not own their supply but they still use it to maximize their profits.

    • What was the impact of the Chicken McNugget on the poultry industry?
      The impact the Chicken McNugget had was that everyone wanted a profit off of it. 

    • What are the conditions or terms of business under which most poultry farmers operate?

    • How does the nutritional value of a McNugget compare with that of a hamburger?
      It doesn't, the nutritional value of a Chicken McNugget is significantly less than that of a hamburger. 

    • Why would small independent cattle ranchers be afraid to speak out against the practices of large meat processors?
      Small independent cattle ranchers are afraid to speak out because large meat processors are the ones who maintain power due to the significantly large gap between net gross in income. Large meat processors are able to over rule small cattle ranchers because they can rig any court hearing especially since they deliver to the fast food industry which is something us Americans love.

    • Which type of cattle rancher is currently facing the greatest economic difficulty?

    • How does the suicide rate for ranchers and farmers compare with the rate for U.S. citizens in general?
      The suicide rate of farmers and ranchers has tripled in the past decade. It has risen to compete with the total of the United States suicide rate if not surpassed it.
  • Chapter 7, "Cogs in the Great Machine"
    • What changes did IBP introduce to the meat packing industry?
      They closed down a lot of meat packing industries in Chicago to open their own, many law suits have been filed against. They then opened as Tyson farms.

    • Why were newer meat packing plants located in rural areas rather than in cities?
      They relocated because the smell isn't noticeable to residents because they do not live near the processors anymore.

    • What were the links between IBP and organized crime?
      The two are connected by the IBP workers going on strike then the company replacing them leading to the organized shooting of a suspected company spy and the bombing of the home of IBP's general counsel.

    • What has been the relationship between labor unions and modern meat packing plants?

    • How do wages in meat packing plants today compare with wages in the early 1900s, after the workers became unionized?
    • How high is the employee turnover rate in the meat packing industry and why don't the meat packing plants see this as a problem?
    • Where do meat packing companies go to recruit new employees?
    • What is the impact on small communities of having a meat packing firm?
  • Chapter 8, "The Most Dangerous Job"
    • How does the injury rate in meat packing compare with the injury rate in other occupations?
    • What kinds of injuries do workers in meatpacking plants typically suffer?
    • What the impact on workers of speeding up the line in meatpacking plants?
    • Why don't more workers complain about safety conditions in the plants?
    • What role do supervisors play in the reporting of workplace injuries in meat processing plants?
    • What does the author describe as the most dangerous type of work in these plants and what kinds of injuries do these workers risk?
    • What has been the impact of allowing plants to maintain their own injury logs?
    • How has the authority of OSHA changed over time?
    • What does the author think about claims that meatpacking plants have a great deal of concern about the health and well being of their workers?
    • From a worker's point of view, what are some of the problems with Colorado's workers' compensation law?
  • Chapter 9, "What's in the Meat"
    • Compared with several decades ago, how common are food-related illnesses today?
      They are very common now. Food borne illnesses have become frequent due to horrible regulations that our nation does not correct.
    • How has the centralization of food production influenced the spread of food-related illnesses?Centralization is when an organization comes together usually towards decision making of one concentrated are. This effects food borne illnesses because if a decision has been made by an organization or franchise about a meat packing company or what not then it will remain due to the Government not intervening. 
    • What authority does the U.S. Government have to demand the recall of tainted meat?
      The government has created associations such as the "F.D.A." and "U.S.D.A." but they have not put laws on the buying of meat that has not been approved by either of these organizations. That means even though meat has not been approved for sale a fast food company can buy this meat for cheap and resale it for cheap; hence the dollar menu.
    • What are most of the microbes in meat spread by?
      They are spread by negligence in the meat packing business. For example, meat is delivered and when it is sliced open with the intestines and stomach still inside the intestines might be slice also causing feces to leak onto the meat. Knowing this the negligence of those workers continues because to keep the production line moving they ignore their flaw.
    • What was the first national hamburger chain & what did it do to try to change the image of the hamburger?
      The first hamburger chain was White Castle in 1928 and their motive was to show hamburgers were not tainted or bad like everyone believed, they wanted to make it so everyone could enjoy a good hamburger.
    • What are the effects of E. coli 0157:H7 on the human body?
      E. coli 0157:H7 attacks the internal organs eating away at them.
    • What are some of the ways people can be infected with E. coli 0157:H7?
      By tainted meat that is not packaged properly.
    • What kinds of things are fed to cattle, things that might facilitate the spread of pathogens?
      They are fed paper, scraps, their own feces, and everything a cow shouldn't be fed.
    • How does the risk of contamination for ground beef compare with the risk of contamination of whole cuts of beef?
      Ground beef is different cuts of beef grounded up and mixed together, you never know if a certain cut has a type of bacteria in it. A whole cut is from one part of the cow and is thoroughly cleaned and inspected.
    • Why is the author concerned about the use of older dairy cattle to make ground beef?

    • How has the meatpacking industry generally responded to health concerns about the nation's beef?
    • What was the Streamlined Inspection System launched by the USDA?
    • How did the Jack In The Box restaurant chain respond to its outbreak of salmonella?
    • What criticisms does the author have of the current recall system for tainted meat?
    • What are the advantages and disadvantages of irradiating meat?
    • What kind of meat is selected for consumption in public schools?
  • Chapter 10, "Global Realization"
    • Why did the author visit Plauen, Germany?
    • In a discussion of fast food corporations why is it important to talk about their oversees operations?
    • In foreign countries, what group does most fast food advertising target?
    • In what ways might there be a connection between the obesity rate in America and the fast food industry?
    • Why is obesity a problem for American society as a whole?
    • What kind of business is the most frequent target of anti-American protests in foreign countries and what kinds of groups engage in these protests?
    • What did London Greenpeace do to protest McDonald's and what was McDonald's response?
  • Epilogue, "Have It Your Way"
    • In what ways are restaurants like Conway's Red Top and In-N-Out different from McDonald's and most other fast food chains?
      They continue to use the assembly line service style and they list where all their potatoes come from not to mention they are freshly made in front of you.
    • What does the author think should be done about advertising unhealthy foods to children?
    • What does the author say about the safety of the U.S. food supply compared with that of other countries?
    • What does the author think Congress should do about food safety and about working conditions in meatpacking companies?
    • What can consumers do to change food safety and working conditions in the fast food industry?