"fast food restaurant" news and stories

Want to open a fast food restaurant franchise? It seems your best bet may be overseas rather than in your own town or city. Residents of Japan are lining up at newly built American franchises to get their fill of McDonald's, Krispy Kreme, and ice cream treats.

According to one report, Japan's first Krispy Kreme, which was built in December, is still drawing hour-long line ups. In the first three days of business alone the doughnut shop drew in 10,000 customers.

McDonald's, of course, is enjoying similar success - apparently selling 1.7 million Mega Macs in just four days. The four-patty burger will return to the Japanese market in April and May, and you can be sure they will be selling in record numbers again. Burger King is planning to reopen in Japan this year, and I'm sure a number of other large chain restaurants will make their way over soon.

Ironic though, that while we as North Americans are trying to slim down and are eating more and more sushi, tofu, and traditional Japanese-style meals, they are wolfing down our McBurgers and ice cream, claiming not to be satiated with their current offerings.

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I'll skip over the obvious "American Fry" jokes and get right to it. Tara Reid, probably best known to the world for both her role in the American Pie movie franchise as well as her (former) globe-trotting, hard-partying lifestyle, has announced her plans to open a fast food establishment in Los Angeles.

The new restaurant, set to open on March 31st, will be named Ketchup - and though the menu has not been released as yet, Tara herself plans to spend time in the kitchen "making sure everything is done properly."

Though it may seem like a strange move to some, the restaurant business is in her blood. Growing up in New Jersey, Tara's parents owned a bar, and she currently has shares in three other restaurants - Bella, The Shore and Geisha House.

I recently stumbled across the website for a chain of restaurants called Cereality. Basically, they're fast-food-type establishments that sell hot and cold cereal. The restaurant interiors seem loosely styled after kitchens and breakfast nooks and the employees are apparently clad in pajamas. There are lots of name-brand cereals to choose from and combine. You can then pick the type of milk you want, as well as other toppings. There are currently four locations: two in Pennsylvania, one in Illinois and one in Arizona.

I can see how some people would be drawn to a place like this. There's surely a novelty factor and also the idea of getting to blend a bunch of different kinds of cereals you like. But really, whenever I eat out and I get something that I could have done at home, I tend to feel a little bit cheated. Still, it's probably worlds healthier than a McGriddle.