Restaurants Need to Go On a Diet

Whether or not a change in diet is necessary for better health or just a factor of the economy, they are happening. However, most of these changes are being seen in other parts of the world. In the U.S., it seems to be convenience as usual because Americans don't like to cook. This article sums up the problem in the restaurant industry in some parts of the world, while "fast" still rules in the U.S. From TimesOnline.co.uk --

The restaurant recession is taking down multi-billion-dollar restaurant companies and "mom-n-pop" restaurants alike. In the heart of New York, restaurants are closing down on streets still thronging with tourists. It's the same across the country.

Between January and July, the percentage of restaurant and bar workers filing unemployment claims in Hillsborough County, Florida, surged 54% higher than during the same period last year, according to The Tampa Tribune. The number of unemployment claims among all industries is up 38%.

The biggest losers are expected to be the "casual dining" chains such as Benni-gan's and rivals Applebee's, TGI Fridays and Outback Stea-khouse. Having done a lot of driving - and eating - in America I know whereof I speak, and the trouble with most of these "concepts" is that, apart from the lettering above the door, they are all exactly the same.

Eating in them gives you déjà vu every time. At the moment, they are all mad about "sliders" -mini burg-ers. Before that they were smothering everything in teri-yaki sauce.

Unfortunately it's not winning them enough business. Their customers are moving on. But not back home: America doesn't want to cook. Once again the middle ground is being squeezed out, leaving a small set of restaurants at the top end and a huge market for faster and cheaper rivals. Read more...

Bottom line: The economy will improve as the health of Americans improves, and that will take some diet changes that includes less fast food and soft drinks, and more home cooked meals and healthy snacks that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.