Generation Z is redefining fitness; this report explains everything.
The race to replace fast food with real food is on.
Fast food nation
Fast food restaurants are everywhere – and that’s intentional.
- There is more of 200K fast food restaurants in the United States.
- 85% of Americans eat at McDonald’s at least once a year.
- 36.5% of adults consume fast food daily, accounting for approximately 14% of calories.
There is approximately one fast food outlet for every 24,000 Americans, but some are more targeted than others.
In low-income African-American communities, there are an average of 71 fast food restaurants within a five-mile radius of home, according to a statistic published by researchers. related at a high BMI.
And fast food brands are spending 5 billion dollars each year in advertising, including television campaigns on children’s networks, with preschoolers seeing more than 830 commercials per year.
Oversized. Undeniably unhealthy, fast food menus are made up of ultra-processed and mass-produced items. filled with sodium, sugar, saturated and trans fats and preservatives. Plus, the portion sizes are huge, often with American meals. twice the size of options in other countries.
Beyond refueling obesityregular consumption was related depression, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and diabetes. Still, many prefer fast over fresh, citing convenience, affordability, and addictive great taste.
Real fast food
Given the prevalence of fast food, the idea of serving good food quickly, while making it affordable and delicious, can seem impossible.
But it’s no longer a nice convenience, but serving healthy, sustainable and convenient meals is a necessity.
- Taking into account U.S. health spending on diet-related illnesses, the true cost of food double at $2.2T.
- Transportation accounts for 19% of total greenhouse gas emissions from the global food system.
- Since 2022, the price of meals at home has increased increase faster than dining out.
In trying to offer healthier alternatives and better-for-you dining concepts, they are targeting the billion-dollar fast food industry.
Every table. Powered by centralized, chef-driven ghost kitchens, Each table makes healthy prepared meals affordable by adjusting prices to median income levels in the cities it serves. In 2022, the company sold 5.2 million meals through more than 50 retail stores (approximately 40% of which serve low-income areas), commercial self-serve SmartFridges, and a subscription delivery service.
Soft green. To make salad cool, Sweetgreen has 215 restaurants focused on fresh ingredients. Continuing its expansion into the suburbs, the chain is investing in drive-thru locations. And, after a successful pilot showed improved sales and operating margins, the company plans to install an automated system. Infinite Kitchen in all locations within five years.
Love life. Part of Whole Foods co-founder John Mackey’s new holistic health venture, Love life plans to open a flagship cafe in California next summer. With menus developed by nutritionists and doctors, the restaurant and upcoming telehealth platform could prescribe meals to combat chronic illnesses.
Somewhere else, The better-for-you Mediterranean quick-service CAVA went public this summer and plans 1,000 restaurants by 2032. Meanwhile, ingredient-picky Chipotle is essay a healthy bowl concept and a Farmer’s Fridge potted salad maker expanded its refrigerator retail strategy with distribution at Target and Costco.
Punch line: Food is medicine, but it is not necessary to prescribe healthy meals. And we’re not going to fix the entire food system overnight. So instead of pushing everyone to seek out healthier options, we need to make nutritious, delicious, and affordable foods the default.
