I remember listening to a podcast on chain restaurant food innovation
I think it was a This American Life episode. It was really fascinating to hear about how big chains like that explore new food options. One crazy thing about McDonald’s in particular is that they are so huge, simple logistics were a critical element in their recipes. They are so big that just adding an ingredient to a food item can move the market and shift prices significantly, or even overtax world supply of something.  Previous Message I think 5 Guys and In and Out are very overrated. 5 Guys sales are getting pummeled because it is too expensive for what it is. they've announced they are closing stores. In and Out experience is good, the food is fine, but if they scale up I think they'll run into a lot of problems. You've gotta hand it to McDonald's. They are very innovative for a company their size in food, marketing, and experience. The consistency of food and experience plus speed at scale is unmatched. Previous Message
5 Guys to BK is like Chipotle to Taco Bell, and neither Culvers nor In & Out are national chains, so they don't have to make the compromises that come with scaling up to that many stores.
The Baconator is better than any of BK's bacon burgers, but a Whopper with everything is better than a Dave's single with everything. Also, the BK double chee is significantly better than a Double Stack, which is like 75% bread at this point.
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Message Thread | This response ↓
 There’s a new top fast food chain: Jersey Mike’s - biclops June 18, 2026, 8:34:18
- interesting, because the I thought he general concensus was JM was in decline - assassin June 18, 2026, 11:59:58
- never had it and couldn't tell you without googling where one was* - VIV June 18, 2026, 11:43:32
- I like JM, but they don't need to do the oil and vinegar like a 13 year old putting on cologne* - Gene Parmesan June 18, 2026, 11:35:15
- JM’s is awesome. Raising Cane is very good….we also have a Guthriees which is the same* - TarheelIllini June 18, 2026, 11:17:03
- Potbelly's is better than JM imo.* - ibdoc June 18, 2026, 10:54:55
- Burger King? GTFOOH* - PapaDels June 18, 2026, 10:24:09
- underrated fast food chain: Cook Out * - illiniranger June 18, 2026, 10:19:54
- Jesus Christ…those lists are an indictment on our entire culture. * - haighter June 18, 2026, 10:08:40
- Papa John’s is terrible pizza. I do not understand how they became and remained so popular - DT June 18, 2026, 8:51:30
- it is awful. there’s bad pizza and then “how did they even do that?”? - memyselfandillini June 18, 2026, 14:47:24
- LBK drunkenly ordered some in Minneapolis a couple weeks ago. Can confirm. - KingTalkyTiki June 18, 2026, 10:31:44
- it's the garlic sauce/butter* - lcubed June 18, 2026, 9:56:15
- I like it, but like almost all chain pizzas it's absolutely worthless if not eaten right away - Sammich June 18, 2026, 9:42:31
- They're no Pizza World, that's for sure.
 - osklister June 18, 2026, 9:20:38
- I liked Firehouse Subs - illiniranger June 18, 2026, 8:50:23
- they're good, but they lose points for not having a meatball snawich* - Sammich June 18, 2026, 8:43:34
- They're pretty good... my biggest complaint is that they've really mastered the - ijustkrushalot June 18, 2026, 8:40:12
- never been there but i'd like to give it a go* - lcubed June 18, 2026, 8:39:23
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on June 18, 2026, 11:11:57, in reply to "i think a BK burger is better than just about anywhere"