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Fast food is a type of mass-produced food designed for commercial resale, with a strong priority placed on speed of service. The fastest form of “fast food” consists of pre-cooked meals which reduce waiting periods to mere seconds. Fast food restaurants are traditionally distinguished by the drive-through. Many fast foods tend to be high in saturated fat, sugar, salt and calories. The concept of ready-cooked food for sale is closely connected with urban developments. Homes in emerging cities often lacked adequate space or proper food preparation accoutrements.
Additionally, procuring cooking fuel could cost as much as purchased produce. Frying foods in vats of searing oil proved as dangerous as it was expensive. Homeowners feared that a rogue cooking fire “might easily conflagrate an entire neighborhood”. Forum itself served as a marketplace where Romans could purchase baked goods and cured meats. In areas with access to coastal or tidal waters, ‘fast food’ frequently included local shellfish or seafood, such as oysters or, as in London, eels. A blue plaque at Oldham’s Tommyfield Market marks the origin of the fish and chip shop and fast food industries.
British fast food had considerable regional variation. Sometimes the regionality of a dish became part of the culture of its respective area, such as the Cornish pasty and deep-fried Mars bar. Neighboring fast food restaurant advertisement signs in Bowling Green, Kentucky for Wendy’s, KFC, Krystal and Taco Bell. As automobiles became popular and more affordable following World War I, drive-in restaurants were introduced. W Root Beer, which franchised its distinctive syrup. Howard Johnson’s first franchised the restaurant concept in the mid-1930s, formally standardizing menus, signage and advertising.
Curb service was introduced in the late 1920s and was mobilized in the 1940s when carhops strapped on roller skates. The United States has the largest fast food industry in the world, and American fast food restaurants are located in over 100 countries. Fast food outlets are take-away or take-out providers that promise quick service. Such fast food outlets often come with a “drive-through” service that lets customers order and pick up food from their vehicles. Others have indoor or outdoor seating areas where customers can eat on-site. The boom in IT services has allowed customers to order food from their homes through their smartphone apps in recent times.
Nearly from its inception, fast food has been designed to be eaten “on the go,” often does not require traditional cutlery, and is eaten as a finger food. Traditional street food is available around the world, usually through small and independent vendors operating from a cart, table, portable grill or motor vehicle. In some cultures, it is typical for street vendors to call out prices, sing or chant sales-pitches, play music, or engage in other forms of “street theatrics” to engage prospective customers. In some cases, this can garner more attention than the food. Modern commercial fast food is often highly processed and prepared in an industrial fashion, i. It is usually rapidly served in cartons or bags or in plastic wrapping, in a fashion that minimizes cost. Because of commercial emphasis on quickness, uniformity and low cost, fast food products are often made with ingredients formulated to achieve a certain flavor or consistency and to preserve freshness.
Western countries such as the US and UK. Most options are some form of noodles, rice, or meat. Sushi has seen rapidly rising popularity recently in the Western world. Pizza is a common fast food category in the United States, with nationwide chains including Papa John’s, Domino’s Pizza, Sbarro and Pizza Hut.