The Politics of Fast Food

[Ben]

Interesting data via the Wall Street Journal. Not really unexpected for the places I'm familiar with. I'd expect the McDs, BK, etc. to be pretty middle of the road and just sell apolitical food without attracting one political leaning or another. It would have been interesting to see how Dunkin' Donuts came out, since they are often described as the conservative alternative to Starbucks. Though  I don't know that they've ever been very political one way or the other, unlike Starbucks.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/04/20/what-is-countrys-most-liberal-fast-food-restaurant/?intcmp=ob_article_footer_text&intcmp=obinsite

[Perd Hapley]

Kudos to Chick-Fil-A.

But Domino's and Starbucks as "fast food"? 

[Hawkmoon]

I don't think even McDonald's qualifies as "fast" food any more. They wonder why they're losing sales -- it might help a lot to have a warm body standing behind the ONE register that's (nominally) open when customers walk in ...

Not long ago it took me 12 minutes from when I walked in until I was able to place an order for two McDoubles and a senior soda. And it wasn't lunch hour on a busy day.

[Ben]

Kudos to Chick-Fil-A.

But Domino's and Starbucks as "fast food"? 

Yeah, I don't get the Dominos either. I understand Starbucks though, for the quick cup of frapawhatever on the way to work and also because part of the article was on Hillary and her choice of "drop-in" places. I could certainly see Starbucks on her list.

[brimic]

Yeah, I don't get the Dominos either. I understand Starbucks though, for the quick cup of frapawhatever on the way to work and also because part of the article was on Hillary and her choice of "drop-in" places. I could certainly see Starbucks on her list.

I think pretty much all coffee places except maybe Dunkin Donuts are far lefty places, its just the nature of the business.
Its no different than most gun shops are conservative.
I avoid starbucks like the plague, there are plenty of small, or independent roasters coffee shops around.

[Ben]

I avoid starbucks like the plague, there are plenty of small, or independent roasters coffee shops around.

Heh, around here the independent places are to the left of Starbucks. Fully 90% of the clientele wears Birkenstocks and are on Macs. When I used to have to drive to morning meetings with coworkers who wanted to stop at Starbucks or the local hipster coffee shops, I detoured to where I could get them their Starbucks and where I could walk a couple doors down and get a plain cup of coffee and a couple of Bismarks at a donut shop. :)

[MechAg94]

Bismark?

I heard some radio discussion on on KFC trying to make their fried chicken more friendly to hipsters.  I think they have completely forgotten who their core customers are. 

[brimic]

Heh, around here the independent places are to the left of Starbucks. Fully 90% of the clientele wears Birkenstocks and are on Macs. When I used to have to drive to morning meetings with coworkers who wanted to stop at Starbucks or the local hipster coffee shops, I detoured to where I could get them their Starbucks and where I could walk a couple doors down and get a plain cup of coffee and a couple of Bismarks at a donut shop. :)

True.

Confession time: I buy most of my coffee at a McDonalds or a gas station  
When I want something different, I'll go to a local coffee (not starbux) shop just because they are a local business.

[Ben]

Bismark?

AKA Berliner or Boston Creme. Custard filled donut with chocolate frosting. If I eat a donut, I like to go for full effect. 

[Angel Eyes]

If I eat a donut, I like to go for full effect.

Do they give you a receipt?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R7n3vNcXW0

[MechAg94]

AKA Berliner or Boston Creme. Custard filled donut with chocolate frosting. If I eat a donut, I like to go for full effect. 

Okay, just never heard the term.  I prefer just plain glazed (heavy on the glaze). 

[Perd Hapley]

Toasted coconut and French crullers FTW

[Scout26]

I am a Jelly Doughnut !!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxAL-M2SdAU

[TommyGunn]

I am a Jelly Doughnut !!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxAL-M2SdAU

One source I read claimed that the idea JFK claimed "I am a jelly doughnut" started in a bestselling thriller novel of the mid 1960s.  The author of said novel knew enough German to be dangerous.
The video on the youtube link got it correct; Kennedy was speaking figuratively not literally, the use of "ein" was correct.  

[Hawkmoon]

I am a Jelly Doughnut !!!

"Holy Jesus! What is THAT? What the f--k is that?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NP8y63Ms4o

[Northwoods]

I think pretty much all coffee places except maybe Dunkin Donuts are far lefty places, its just the nature of the business.
Its no different than most gun shops are conservative.
I avoid starbucks like the plague, there are plenty of small, or independent roasters coffee shops around.

Sitting in a Starbucks right now.  They have free WiFi which, far as I can tell, none of the other coffee shops or diners in this little town offer.  They also, for a while at least (not sure if they still do as I haven't kept up on it) were willing to stand up to the anti-gunners.

I use the free WiFi to work on homework when I need to get out of the house to actually be able to concentrate on it.  E.g. I'm working on my presentation on the Czech Republic for my Macroeconomics class now.  I'll also do some work on my term paper for Managerial Accounting.

[Perd Hapley]

Sitting in a Starbucks right now.  They have free WiFi which, far as I can tell, none of the other coffee shops or diners in this little town offer.  They also, for a while at least (not sure if they still do as I haven't kept up on it) were willing to stand up to the anti-gunners.

Like most companies that have been Mommied,* they half-caved - they didn't actually institute a no-guns policy, but they did ask that patrons not bring guns. So far as I know, the only chain that's told the Marms Against America to pound sand is Kroger.


*harassed by the Moms Against Guns

[Chuck Dye]

Wonder how Carl's Jr. and Karcher's reputation fared.  Church's Fried Chicken's and the urban legend about doping the food should have made an interesting read, too.

[French G.]

I'm sure most of the result is driven not by consumer choice but by corporate choice of where they choose to locate based on target demographics and real estate availability; as well as where regional chains start. For example you probably won't catch too many liberals at Krystal. Only two that stand out to me as consumer choice deciding the political flavor of a chain are Starbucks and Jesus chicken. Sbux because liberals like pretentious coffee and CFA because liberals hate them. And I like their wi-fi, chicken, and lack of patchouli.

Had no idea until 2am Saturday morning that Cook-Out was a christian chain, pretty obvious I suppose if you have bible verses on the cups, just never noticed. What 'til the moonbats find out.