For most of my friends, fast food is simple: it’s a place to grab a quick meal, hang out, and maybe take some pics for Snapchat. But for me, it’s something more. Sure, I love Chick-fil-A waffle fries as much as the next person, and I’ll never say no to a Crumbl cookie. But growing up in a business-oriented family, I can’t help but see fast food differently.
Ever since I was little, my dad has been deconstructing businesses in real time. We’d walk into a McDonald’s, and instead of just ordering a Happy Meal, he’d be talking about throughput, supply chain logistics, and average ticket size. At the time, I was embarrassed. I just wanted to eat my fries in peace while he analyzed how many people were in line, how many employees were working, and how fast they moved orders.
Now? I get it. Fast food isn’t just about the food. It’s one of the most efficient and successful business models in the world, and the more I hang out at these places, the more I notice what my dad was talking about.
Where We Go and Why It Matters
Every day after school, the big question is, “Where are we eating today?”
We have a routine—some days it’s Chipotle because we’re feeling “healthy” (even though we drown everything in queso). Other days, it’s Chick-fil-A because the line moves fast, and we know the customer service is always on point. And then there are the days we want something trendy—Boba Tea, Mochi Donuts, or Crumbl Cookies.
It’s crazy how much our food choices have changed. It’s not just burgers and fries anymore. My friends and I will go out of our way to find places like:
These aren’t just places to eat—they’re places to be seen, to hang out, to try new things.
Seeing the Business Behind the Food
The funny thing is, while my friends are just enjoying the food, I’m now also watching how these businesses work.
Take Crumbl Cookies, for example. Their rotating menu is brilliant—it keeps people coming back every week just to see what’s new. They’ve turned cookies into a hype cycle. I bet their average ticket size (how much people spend per visit) is way higher than a normal cookie shop because no one buys just one cookie. It’s always a multi pack and the mini cookies make it so you can try all of them (and not feel bad about eating them all)
Then there’s Boba Tea. The mark-up on a cup of boba is insane. A tea costs, what, $1 to make? But we gladly pay $6-8 for it because it’s trendy, and half the fun is shaking the cup and posting it on TikTok. These places don’t need huge kitchens or complex operations—they just need a good brand, good drinks, and fast service.
And of course, there’s Chick-fil-A—the king of fast food efficiency. Their drive-thru moves like a machine, and their employees are trained better than half the people I see working in retail. My dad once pointed out that Chick-fil-A makes more money per location than McDonald's, even though they’re closed on Sundays. That blew my mind.
Fast Food is the Foundation of America
Now that I’m older, I see the obsession about how businesses operate. Fast food isn’t just a meal—it’s a massive industry that runs on efficiency, volume, and branding.
Most of my friends see fast food as something casual. I see it as the foundation of American business. These places employ millions of people, drive innovation in technology and logistics, and create brands that become part of our everyday lives.
When I walk into a McDonald's or Chipotle now, I don’t just see the food. I see:
Fast food chains are like real-life business case studies, happening right in front of us every day. And for someone like me—who grew up hearing about throughput and supply chains at the dinner table—it’s hard not to notice.
The Future of Fast Food (And Maybe My Future, Too)
I don’t know what I want to do after high school yet, but one thing’s for sure: I appreciate businesses more than ever. I used to roll my eyes when my dad talked about how fast food worked, but now, I find myself thinking the same way.
Maybe I’ll open a franchise someday. Maybe I’ll invent the next viral food trend. Who knows?
But for now, I’ll just keep hanging out at my favorite fast food spots, enjoying my Boba Tea, and paying attention to the business behind the bites.
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