Buzz
Countless renowned science fiction works depict futures where capitalism spirals out of control. Massive global corporations dominate, trading and selling without restraint. The future is here, as the food and beverage companies we see as mere providers of snacks and drinks wield far more influence than most realize. For instance, were you aware that…
10. They Transcend Language Barriers
Picture yourself in a foreign land. You’re unfamiliar with the city, the people, and, most unsettlingly, the language. It’s sweltering, and you crave a Coke. But how do you order one when you can’t communicate with the shopkeeper? Cultural differences can be vast, even in simple matters. So, how could you possibly figure out how to ask for your favorite carbonated drink? Surprisingly, you just say ‘Coca-Cola’. A global study found that ‘Coca-Cola’ is the second most universally recognized term worldwide, second only to the word ‘OK’.
9. They Are Expanding at an Unprecedented Rate
It often feels like a new fast food or coffee shop chain pops up daily. This perception isn’t far from reality. KFC aims to launch 100 new outlets annually in India until 2015. Meanwhile, McDonald’s has been opening an average of one new location per day in China over recent years. From 1987 to the mid-2000s, Starbucks expanded at a rate of two new stores daily. Their rapid growth drew criticism, leading to the closure of several locations. However, this didn’t deter them; by the end of 2012, they announced plans to add around 3,000 more stores across America.
8. Their Economic Power Rivals Nations
GDP, or Gross Domestic Product, is a common metric for ranking countries, offering a general sense of a nation’s economic strength. However, the GDP of developing and third-world nations isn’t just overshadowed by Western countries—it’s often eclipsed by the revenues of individual corporations.
In 2010, McDonald’s earnings exceeded the entire GDP of Latvia. Similarly, Oman, a small nation adjacent to Saudi Arabia, has a GDP lower than Pepsi’s revenue, trailing by more than two billion dollars.
7. They Supply Our Military
One might assume that army base cuisine is a downside of military life. But not if you’re a fan of Burger King. Since the 1980s, Burger King has held a significant contract with the US Army and Air Force, and today, nearly every major Army and Air Force base features a Burger King outlet.
This isn’t limited to bases in the United States; even the Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan had a Burger King. Although it was shut down in 2010 over concerns that it occupied space needed for mail or ammunition, a decline in troop morale led to its reopening in 2012. And if soldiers grow weary of Burger King? No problem—there’s also a Popeye’s Chicken and a Pizza Hut on-site.
6. They Offer an Unbelievable Variety of Products
Many are aware that Coca-Cola produces more than just its classic soda. They offer Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Vanilla Coke, and even experimented with Coke Two. Beyond that, Coca-Cola also distributes Dasani water, Vitaminwater, and Powerade. With all the diet, flavored, and sugar-free variations of their popular drinks, the company’s beverage portfolio expands significantly. But how many different drinks do you think they sell globally? Twenty? Fifty? The answer is a staggering three and a half thousand.
5. Their Influence Surpasses Religion
Religion is a global phenomenon, often crossing linguistic barriers and existing in some form across the world. However, specific religious symbols are not as universally recognized as fast food icons.
Research has shown that the McDonald’s ‘golden arches’ logo is more widely recognized than the Christian cross. Additional studies, along with scenes from the 2004 documentary ‘Supersize Me,’ reveal that many American children can identify fast food mascots like Ronald McDonald and Wendy but struggle to recognize religious figures such as Jesus.
4. They Create the Illusion of Choice
Would you prefer to spend your money at Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, or Taco Bell? It doesn’t really matter, as all three are under the umbrella of the same parent company: Yum! Brands Inc.
Numerous well-known companies have a far more diverse product portfolio than you might imagine. PepsiCo, for instance, owns Quaker Oats, giving it control over a wide array of cereals, rice snacks, pasta dishes, and even baking mixes. Additionally, PepsiCo owns several chip brands and even certain coffee products.
But perhaps those products aren’t to your liking, so you decide to avoid Pepsi altogether by staying home and sipping a soothing cup of Lipton Tea. Well, you guessed it: Pepsi owns Lipton as well.
3. They Aim to Employ Everyone
Are you a teenager in Brazil? If yes, chances are you’ve worked at McDonald’s. The fast-food giant has become immensely popular among Brazilian youth, making it the largest private-sector employer in the country, with over 36,000 employees. Nearly 90% of these workers are under the age of 21.
These impressive figures aren’t unique to Brazil. McDonald’s has revealed plans to hire over 75,000 new employees in China within the next year. In the United States, fast-food chains are also the top choice for young job seekers. In fact, it’s estimated that one in eight Americans has worked at McDonald’s at some point in their lives.
2. They Persuaded Us That Water is Inferior
Water is crucial for survival, which is why it’s readily available and practically free for most people. This poses a challenge for companies trying to sell their own beverages.
Robert S. Morrison, the chairman of PepsiCo, reportedly stated that tap water was the greatest threat to his company, prompting the H2NO campaign to address the issue.
Initiated by Coca-Cola, the H2NO campaign aimed to discourage people from choosing free tap water in favor of more appealing (and profitable) drinks. The goal was to make tap water seem dull, and unfortunately, the strategy began to succeed. Olive Garden restaurants participated in the campaign, encouraging customers to skip tap water and opt for soda instead.
It worked.
1. They’ll Radically Alter Their Product
Most products cater to a specific audience. If your offering doesn’t align with everyone’s preferences, there’s usually little you can do, right? However, many fast-food chains are willing to overhaul their identity entirely, even if it means becoming almost unrecognizable.
Take KFC, for instance, which is immensely popular in China. However, it’s not the KFC you might be familiar with. Chinese outlets often feature shrimp burgers, fried dough sticks, egg tarts, soy milk drinks, and a variety of other region-specific dishes.
What if you’re a brand aiming to expand into a country where your signature product is prohibited by religious laws? No issue—just eliminate it entirely. Many McDonald’s locations in India don’t offer beef or pork products. In fact, the first fully vegetarian McDonald’s is slated to open in India within the next year.
