STAKEHOLDERS
The three main stakeholders in the fast food industry are the profitable corporations, consumers looking for convenience, and those employed at the restaurants.
Corporations
The corporations enjoy the profits from business with the community, while using those profits to further develop business practices and giving back by making charitable contributions to different organizations. As fast food companies benefit and grow, the community benefits, too. Companies that are able to bring in a greater profit are known for helping specific communities. For example, McDonalds is well known for its Ronald McDonald House Charities, and it also has many scholarship funds. McDonalds is not the only chain to do this, many other fast food companies either donate to or have charities of their own as well.
Consumers
Despite the advantages the industry provides to the community, for a lot of people the stigma that fast food causes obesity and other problems for individuals remains. However, this was not always the case. In the past, fast food customers were satisfied with the fact that they could order pretty cheap food with fast service. But now, the average consumer is calling for healthier food options due to concern over becoming overweight or unhealthy. Even with these options, though, people still mostly choose to order the classic items, such as a cheeseburger and fries with a soda, rather than the food items with less calories. This fact demonstrates that fast food is ingrained in western culture and that each individual’s choices reflect the connotation of the fast food industry. How someone chooses to consume fast food is purely up to that individual. Therefore, business practices are not to blame for the “unhealthiness” of society. But instead, individual choices people make about what to eat and how much to eat reflect their own health.
Employees
Fast food corporations not only contribute to the community by donating to charities, but also by providing jobs. The problem with the jobs they provide is that they receive the stereotype that they only hire students or individuals with little education that are not going to succeed in life. However, this is not the case. Claudia Prevost has been working at McDonald’s for a month and has gained friendships with her fellow employees and also her managers. She was shocked about how wrong the stereotype is about the different individuals that work at McDonald’s. McDonald’s hires a variety of individuals, despite lack of skill or even background. This can impact people’s lives because most individuals who are first hired as crew members do not need previous training and yet are still given many opportunities to attain higher positions. Along with allowing individuals to succeed despite differences in backgrounds, they also have a long list of benefits.