June 2, 2008, - 11:48 am
The (Big Mac) Burger Economic Index, Plus New “Lucky Charm” = Overscheduled Kids?
By Debbie Schlussel
It’s a good thing self-appointed food police chief Morgan Spurlock isn’t ruling American gastronomy, especially in this time of economic downturn.
As we know, fast food restaurants are a very economical way to eat and present a number of choices to Americans who want animal protein and also can’t afford the exorbitant, “healthy” tofu, argula, and edamame Whole Foods diet of Spurlock and his vegan chef girlfriend.
In what I call the Burger Economic Index, more and more Americans are eating at McDonald’s than ever because, with sky-high and rising gas prices and more and more lay-offs, it’s the only thing they can afford. In Spurlock’s world, they’d be hungry:
Slightly over half of Americans eat fast food at least once a week, according to a national online survey of 1,000 people in March by Research International USA. One in five eat the on-the-go grub every other day.
McDonald’s (MCD) is far and away the most popular. Nearly six in 10 Americans have been to a McDonald’s in the past month, the survey says. By comparison, just more than three in 10 have been to a Wendy’s.
Most regulars say they’re eating fast food more often due to “economic pressures,” says Research International. Hmmm. So the economy is prompting the “average” American to spend $500 per year on fast food.
Meanwhile, market researcher The NPD Group reports that the red, white and blue entree of choice is burgers.
Some 7% of restaurants of all types – from quick service to fine dining – are selling more burgers than two years ago, it reports. That’s 15% of all restaurant orders last year, or about 8.5 million burgers.
We’re lucky that we have these economical choices in today’s hard times. If we were in the third world, we wouldn’t have any choices. And we’d still be starving.
And Morgan Spurlock and his girlfriend would still be out of touch and spending gazillions on imported produce normal people simply can’t afford.
For the record, I’ve never had a McDonald’s Burger (or Burger King or Wendy’s). They’re not kosher. But I celebrate that most Americans–who do not keep kosher–have this economical choice and the freedom to choose it.
***
In another sign of the times in food products, Lucky Charms cereal adds the first new charm in a decade: an hourglass. USA Today’s Ad Team says it symbolizes how pressed for time kids feel these days.
Well, they have plenty of time to surf the Net and talk on cellphones . . . .
McDonald’s is a great place to get a VERY inexpensive meal that can include healthy choices. Their side salads are amazingly good, with assorted dark leafy greens, not just iceberg – and only $1. Even comes with Paul Newman dressing. Add a single burger, and a cup of coffee, milk or juice and you’re eatin’ healthy for pennies.
dm60462 on June 2, 2008 at 12:30 pm