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["Don Rua" <rua AT mindspring.com>]

JDasher said:

"I'll preemptively concede that capitalism can produce a stultifying array
of the same alternatives.  Notice, for example, that you can get
very similar meals at Burger King, McDonald's, and Wendy's."

The free market system produces an amazing array of alternatives. The reason
there are similar restaurants, is BECAUSE the system works so well, instead
of a dictator proclaiming McD's as the national burger joint. The reason
they look so similar, is actually a testament to the free market system, not
a flaw. However, if you study their menus and changes, you see a constant
effort to improve quality and performance, and to deliver a product to
society that improves quality of life.

There has been fierce competition in fast food, with smaller margins
available, (i.e. more value-to-customer needed to compete), and speed is
critical. As soon as the industry hits a point of stagnation, capitalism
kicks in, and teaches one of the group that they can gain share by
innovating menus, or improving quality. Thus, we started seeing breakfast
menus. Then salads. Then varieties of salads and dessert offerings. Then
playgrounds and benefits to lifestyle, so a single mom doesn't have to fear
taking wound-up kids to a restaurant. Fresh vs frozen, dollar menus,  deli
sandwhichs at burger joints, low-carb, on and on. Now there are tvs and
video games in McD's, and more innovation will come as long as we protect
the free market. And this isn't even pointing out the capitalists who took
fast food idea and offered the Subway variety, Pizzas, Quizno's, Tacos, etc.

The constant innovation and improvements in the fast food industry alone is
an awesome example of the free market system. Hell, the King of the Hill,
McD's, is bleeing badly, precisely because of the system is so fair to
entrepreneurs. It is the speed and ease of the free market system, that
allows several similar restaurants, but also pushes them to their limits to
stay ahead of the value curve.

Growing up in Tampa, I've seen new companies explode on the scene from the
area, and rip a hole in established markets. Checkers, Hooters (handful of
buddies came up with the idea over beers), Outback, Beef O Bradys (he was
just a regular bar owner for years, where me and fellow teachers would
drink).

Lost in the fast food pessimism, is one of the best benefits...clean
restaurants where the water won't give you dysentery. Before chains, and
uber-competition, there was no telling what you might get in a restaurant
you weren't familiar with. Predictability and accountability are two of the
most signifcant values delivered, but I wonder if the regular Joe on the
street even appreciates what he's getting for his 79 cents, beyond the
cheeseburger.

Don

Always ask "Why?"