Christina Murphy explores how American fast-food chains are slowly taking over Ireland and what their appeal is.
American Fast-Food chains have always been attractive to the Irish population. Considering our long-standing relationship with the US, it's no surprise that we want to share food too! The Americanisation of fast-food chains in Ireland dates all the way back to 1970 when the first KFC launched in Dublin, and things have been on a steady increase from there.
One of the most memorable chains to open for younger generations is Krispy Kreme. Before COVID hit, lines of people waiting to get a taste of a sweet, glazed donut would loop times around the store. Employees had to resort to handing out free donuts just to keep people from leaving the line. They were a national sensation.
More recently, we have seen some more recognisable places begin to pop up. Wendy’s, Chick-fil-A, and Taco Bell have all turned to Ireland as their new stomping ground. However, these chains are beginning to threaten the classic Irish restaurants and fast-food go-tos like Supermacs and Captain Americas.
These restaurants are known for their efficiency in delivering food that is full to the brim with sugar and salt. Some people are beginning to question if it can really be considered food at all. Regardless, these chains are convenient, consistent, and usually affordable, compared to the price it takes to eat out, or even try to engineer a whole meal from the supermarket these days.
But why is this way of eating out so appealing? The Irish consumer market has become accustomed to engaging with social media trends involving “muckbangs“, “eat-with-me’s”, and food reviews from content created in the US. The amount of content produced and shared with us about these food brands has caused us to crave it and make us go stir-crazy when it arrives on our doorstep.
All this to say, the stereotypes surrounding American food do not go without warning. Standard menu items of these restaurants are typically high in sodium, saturated fats, and ultra-processed ingredients. So, while they can be delicious, too much of any of these can cause detrimental effects to your physical health, ranging from weight-gain to heart problems. These new foods should be enjoyed, but not without caution.