The Five Most Annoying Current Fast Food Trends

BK_RingmasterWhopper-236x150.jpg
Bonus points go to Burger King for their ridiculously named "Ring Master Whopper"
Caught an article over on Adage this morning on Domino's revamp of their "cheesy bread." In an attempt to capture what marketing executives must think are idiot foodies, the pizza chain is selling "gourmet" varieties of cheese bread (with spinach and feta and bacon and jalapeño).

After blacking out from irritation, we're left to think of the other completely annoying fast food and mainstream product trends meant to do one (or all) of the following: disguise their shitty food as something upscale, manipulate consumers looking for organic or farm-raised foods, and challenge consumers to eat some bombastic contraption.

Meanwhile, you're eating enough sodium or cholesterol to traffic jam your arteries. And, yes, there are still trans fats at some spots. Below, find our list of the most frustrating and current trends.

wendysquality.jpg
Wendy's
When was the last time you saw vegetables that looks like this behind the counter at fast food joints?
1. Faux Freshness
Earlier this year, Gizmodo broke down the truth about orange juice products: how they essentially reverse engineer the orange to keep the juice fresh and consistent. Meanwhile, Simply Orange would have you believe an old grandpa's hands are picking the oranges and wringing them into a glass, and that glass of orange juice transports in front of you.

dominosartisanquality.jpg
From this ad
"Domino's has artisan quality pizzas." What does that even mean?
2. Faux-Upscale Dining
Dear Domino's: Your pizzas are not "artisan" (an already annoying foodie keyword) just because you call them "artisan."

triplesteakstack.jpg
Probably isn't healthy to "upgrade to a triple." And what the hell is a steak stack?
3. Strange Food Mutations
You gotta give some credit for Burger King's "fuck it" strategy. Their recent debut of the "pizza-sized" burger in Japan, which is a whopper with four patties measuring in at 8.8 inches in diameter, certainly proves the implementation of the marketing campaign Who Gives a Shit. Taco Bell's no different with their strange, disgusting sandwich flaps (above).

mcdonaldsolympic.jpg
4. Fast Food Restaurants as Really Awesome Hot Spots
Good news, everyone! McDonald's is launching McDonald's TV, you know, so you can stay all day and ignore your kids as they play in the balls. Also, the above "Olympic-sized" restaurant must be part of World Domination plan #145.

jackintheboxdouble.jpg
Jack in the Box
Double Ultimate Cheeseburger with bacon.
5. Still Having Damn Trans Fats on the Menu
Long after fast food places started jettisoning trans fats, every burger listed on Jack in the Box's nutritional menu has trans fats. Every. Damn. One. Also, some of Denny's salad sauces even have trans fats. Sorry, honey mustard fans!

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Dining Newsletter: The week's top local food news and events, plus interviews with chefs and restaurant owners, dining tips, and a peek at our print review.

Privacy Policy
Sign up for free stuff, news info & more!

Tools

Links

grill_190.jpg

Sign up for our dining newsletter "Hot Off the Grill" and get a weekly rundown of restaurant news by email.

Blogs We Know and Occasionally Like