Demographics

Who goes to fast food?

Everyone goes to fast food; in fact one in four people eat a fast food meal every day. Predominantly low-income neighborhoods have an average of 2.4 fast food restaurants per square mile as opposed to 1.5 in middle-income neighborhoods. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2006 Consumer Expenditure Survey, the higher the income of a consumer, the more they spend on fast food. As the population increases, the number of fast food restaurants increases.

What are the effects on these demographics?

The main effects of the consumption of fast food are overall unhealthiness and obesity. The rate of the increase in obesity in America directly correlates to the growth of the fast food industry. More than half of all adults and a quarter of all children in America are considered obese. Also, the cost of fast food attributes to the demographics of who eats more fast food; the more you make, the more you buy fast food.

How do fast food companies target different demographics?

Many fast food companies have tried to target people who want to eat healthier by making campaigns that stress the availability of healthy options due to criticism of the effects of fast food. Recently, companies such as Burger King and Carl’s Jr. have aimed at young teenage and college-age men with ads that target men’s supposed need for big, meaty burgers and rich, satisfying foods.