fast food in northeast vs the rest of the country (Springfield: live, zoning)

[JD75]

Anyone notice the northeast region lacks a majority of the fast food chains found throughout the U.S.?

We of course have the most popular ones such as McD's, BK, Wendy's and such but anyone who has travelled elsewhere has seen numerous other popular chains we don't have...particularly down south.

I'm sure this can help explain our low obesity rate compared with other regions but why do you suppose we're, i can't think of another way to put it, fast food snobs?

[Boston_Burbs]

Originally Posted by JD75

Anyone notice the northeast region lacks a majority of the fast food chains found throughout the U.S.?

We of course have the most popular ones such as McD's, BK, Wendy's and such but anyone who has travelled elsewhere has seen numerous other popular chains we don't have...particularly down south.

I'm sure this can help explain our low obesity rate compared with other regions but why do you suppose we're, i can't think of another way to put it, fast food snobs?

My cousin moved to Orlando from Nashua and were appalled at all the chains (and Nashua has a lot of chains).

They could not find a mom and pop owned pizza place near where they lived.

I think its the same reason Walmarts have not invaded the northeast as much either. The zoning is stricter, as well as people here tend to enjoy supporting the local business', especially restaurants.

[western mass and love it]

As far as fast food goes the one I wished we had up here is Chick-fil-a. I love their food, it is much better than anything we have up here.
But here in the Springfield area we have
the big 3
five guys
kfc
taco bell
pizza hut
papa ginos
sonic coming soon
subway
quiznos
and i am sure there are some i'm forgetting si i think we are well covered and do not really need another.

[seeriously]

They're mostly in mall food courts. Lucky for us we don't have them on every corner.

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by western mass and love it

As far as fast food goes the one I wished we had up here is Chick-fil-a. I love their food, it is much better than anything we have up here.

There's one in the Burlington Mall. They're the only ones I know that make soft serve ice cream the way I remember it from childhood.

[CaseyB]

There's 2 Chick-fil-a's. One in Burlington, and one in the Northshore Mall in Peabody.

[roadstrailstris]

Originally Posted by JD75

Anyone notice the northeast region lacks a majority of the fast food chains found throughout the U.S.?

We of course have the most popular ones such as McD's, BK, Wendy's and such but anyone who has travelled elsewhere has seen numerous other popular chains we don't have...particularly down south.

I'm sure this can help explain our low obesity rate compared with other regions but why do you suppose we're, i can't think of another way to put it, fast food snobs?

I'd chalk it up to a more highly educated population less likely to fill up on garbage.

[mdovell]

I think it depends as what is fast food.

Duncan Donuts has increasing sold more varieties of food.

Drug stores now carry larger amounts of food

Cumby's and 711 carry a fair amount of food

We've also seen a pretty significant jump in the number of supermarkets. Walmart has some in their stores as does target. Growing up I remember shaws/shop&Shop being the largest and purity being a smaller one. Now there's BJ's, Costco, Trader Joes, Aldi, Sam's Club etc

There's more "fast casual" places
2010
Panera bread is good..Moe's is ok, Cosi is decent, Au Bon Pain is great food (coffee is meh)

Krispi Kreme was tried here 10 or so years ago..didn't do too well. Starbucks (as much as I like them) has far fewer outlets than duncan donuts.

[massnative71]

Not a big fast food fan but it seems what we get up here (like the big 3) are the absolute worst of worst. For example, I would take Hardees/Carl's Jr, InNOut, Chic-fil-a, Bojangles over any of that other garbage if I had to one or the other. Especially the Pepsico KFC/Taco Bell/LJC/Pizzam Hut, absolutely horrible. It's all microwaved feces. Dunkin Donuts is only good for coffee. They have given up on quality food products for probably 15 years now. It's all good thought, being deprived of decent fast food options keeps me much healthier.

On that note when can we get Waffle House?

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by massnative71

For example, I would take Hardees/Carl's Jr, InNOut, Chic-fil-a, Bojangles over any of that other garbage if I had to one or the other.

As a born and bred Californian, I can say that Five Guys more than satisfies my In-N-Out cravings. It's such a simple formula. I'm surprised that no one came along earlier to franchise the concept nationally.