Tag Panera

NATIONAL DRIVE-THRU DAY

Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

National Drive-Thru Day on July 24th recognizes an innovation conveniently going strong today. The drive-thru reached its iconic zenith in the 1950s but stayed strong through the 60s, 70s and beyond. People have enjoyed this service since the 1930s.

The ease of dropping off or picking up an item without getting out of the car may be something we take for granted. Of course, many studies point to the benefits and drawbacks associated with using the drive-thru.

Cheesecake Factory gift card
Zaxby gift card
Starbucks gift card

The first and most obvious that comes to mind is the ease of dropping off or picking up and item. Whether its the mail, a prescription or the dry cleaning, pulling up to a window or a slot and passing the article through is eminently easier than even finding a parking spot. Then, if we have children, we collect our children, our item and wait in line. After waiting, we usually search for our parking spot while juggling children and once again pile them back into the car. When multiple stops are involved, repeat the previous steps. Check the ease of use box.

Secondly, many people think the drive-thru is faster. While that might be true at some locations, it will depend on the type of service, time of day, and where you are located. For example, a long line in the drive-thru at the bank may mean no waiting inside. The same may also be true at your favorite fast-food restaurant. However, if you only need to drop off a letter at the post office, use the drive-up option.

Texas Roadhouse gift card

Finally, accuracy tops the list of some drive-thru specialists. Again, this criteria is hit or miss. Depending on the type of business, time of day and location, accuracy varies. Interestingly, in 2018, Chic-fil-A mastered this arena with 97.3% accuracy.

Did you know:
  • There are more than 211,000 fast-food restaurants in the United States.
  • The drive-thru format was pioneered in the United States for banking services.
  • Hamburgers sold for just 18 cents at some of the first drive-thru restaurants.
  • Restaurants, coffee shops, liquor stores, pharmacies, and many more services utilize drive-thrus for quick service.

NATIONAL DRIVE THROUGH DAY HISTORY

America’s first drive-thru burger chain, Jack in the Box, created National Drive-Thru Day to celebrate America’s love of convenience by car.

More to Explore…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalDriveThruDay

Enjoy the day by uses all the drive-thrus available to you. Post on social media using #NationalDriveThruDay to encourage others to celebrate the day with you.

Visa gift card

NATIONAL JUNK FOOD DAY

Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

July 21st dedicates a giant menu of items to National Junk Food Day. Each year, the day permits us to chow down on the foods we usually don’t include in our daily diet. Junk foods, by definition, typically contain high fats, sugars, salt, and calories and very little nutritional value.

With the advent of packaged foods during the late 1800s, junk food made its way into American life. Still, home-cooked meals remained the standard for several more decades. Eventually, after World War II, the artery-clogging industry took off. Since the population ate out more, traveled more, the industry was primed to produce products at an increased rate.

From the frozen food aisle to fast food chains, a myriad of choices for consumers flooded the market. Potato chips, baked goods and so much more filled supermarket shelves, prepackaged and ready to go.

Frito-Lay Snack Time Favorites with Baked, Smartfood, Sunchips and Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Variety Pack, 1 Count (Pack of 40)
Ads by Amazon Frito-Lay Snack Time Favorites with Baked, Smartfood, Sunchips and Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Variety Pack, 1 Count (Pack of 40)
Pop-Tarts Toaster Pastries, Breakfast Foods, Kids Snacks, Variety Pack (5 Boxes, 60 Pop-Tarts)
Ads by Amazon
Pop-Tarts Toaster Pastries, Breakfast Foods, Kids Snacks, Variety Pack (5 Boxes, 60 Pop-Tarts)
Veratify - Healthy Snacks To Go, Healthy Mixed Snack Box & Snacks Gift Variety Pack – Arrangement for office or Home – Granola Bars, Care Package (66 Count)
Veratify – Healthy Snacks To Go, Healthy Mixed Snack Box & Snacks Gift Variety Pack – Arrangement for office or Home – Granola Bars, Care Package (66 Count)

By the 1970s, junk foods earned a name and a bad one, too. Michael Jacobson, a microbiologist, is credited with coining the phrase. He also set out to curb our appetite for the high sugar, high salt, high preservative foods Americans consumed at an alarming rate.

While deep-fried, fat-laced foods increase our waistlines, cholesterol, and blood sugar numbers, an occasional indulgence shouldn’t impact a healthy, diverse diet and lifestyle. Also, producers make healthy versions of our favorite junk foods to entice us to enjoy a little. 

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalJunkFoodDay

Snack a little. Chow down on your favorite chip, dip or treat. In fact, treat the family or workplace to a beverage or take out. Post on social media using #NationalJunkFoodDay. You can also celebrate by taking a walk or doing some yard work to burn off those extra calories.

Student Prime savings
Back to College?

NATIONAL FAST FOOD DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 1 Comment

On November 16th food lovers get a dose of their favorite convenience food on National Fast Food Day. Whether they use the drive-thru, dine-in or get it to go, fast food will grill up, fry up and broil up menu staples. 

First popularized in the United States in the 1950s, fast food is considered any meal with low preparation time and served to a customer in a packaged form. The meal makes for quick dine-in, take-out or take-away. Most fast-food restaurants offer drive-thru service.

Merriam-Webster dictionary first recognized the term “fast food” in 1951.

Following World War I, automobiles became popular and more affordable. At that time, restaurants introduced the drive-in.

Much like today’s food trucks, Walter Anderson first began selling hamburgers out of an old streetcar body at a Wichita intersection. While the menu was limited, the hamburgers were a crowd-pleaser. When the popularity of his hamburgers grew, he partnered with E.W. Ingram and opened the first White Castle in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas. The enterprising restauranteurs were the first in the fast-food business. They sold hamburgers for five cents each.

The United States has the largest fast food industry in the world.  American fast-food restaurants are located in over 100 countries.

Domino's Pizza Gift Card #NationalFastFoodDay
Domino’s Pizza Gift Card
Papa John's Pizza Gift Card #NationalFastFoodDay
Papa John’s Pizza Gift Card
Zaxby's Gift Card #NationalFastFoodDay
Zaxby’s Gift Card
Captain D'S Gift Card #NationalFastFoodDay
Captain D’S Gift Card

Fun fact: The first Happy Meal was served in June of 1979.

While fast-food began as sandwiches and sides, the menus expanded over-time. Today fast-food includes fish, a variety of fried chicken, tacos, pizza and a wide selection of sides. Sodas quench the thirst and desserts sweeten the menu. From ice cream and shakes to pies and cakes, fast food delivers.

As times changed, restaurants added breakfast items to the menu, too. Expanding their hours increased their workforce and their menu options, as well. However, not all fast-food chains offer breakfast.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFastFoodDay

Invite a group out to your favorite fast-food restaurant. Share some rings and a shake. Do you prefer breakfast or lunch? No matter which one you prefer you can get it to go to make it faster, too! 

Give a shoutout to your favorite fast-food restaurant using #NationalFastFoodDay to post on social media.

Burger King Gift Card #NationalFastFoodDay
Burger King Gift Card
Jack in the Box Gift Card #NationalFastFoodDay
Jack in the Box Gift Card
Panda Express Gift Card#NationalFastFoodDay
Panda Express Gift Card
Starbucks Gift Card $25#NationalFastFoodDay
Starbucks Gift Card $25

NATIONAL FRENCH FRY DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 3 Comments

National French Fry Day on July 13th recognizes a staple food on menus across the country. It comes in so many different cuts and styles, there’s a favorite for everyone to enjoy! 

French fries, also known as chips, fries, finger chips, or French-fried potatoes, are batons of deep-fried potatoes. No matter what we call them, they’re common fixtures at fast-food restaurants and are loved by all ages!

A wide selection of condiments such as ketchup, ranch dressing, vinegar, mayonnaise, honey mustard, cheese, and many more complement French fries. As a healthier alternative, sweet potatoes also make delicious fries and accompany many dishes on menus around the country. Other varieties are baked and come in unusual shapes such as curls, waffles, crinkle, or tornado cut. 

Beyond the condiments, chefs and home cooks sprinkle seasonings to add flavor and spice to their fries. Whether you add a little garlic and onion powder or spice it up cajun style, a potato crisped just right will satisfy a combination of tastes. We top them with chili or nacho cheese and jalapeños, too. Depending on the type of fries, we might top them with even more ingredients and call them all sorts of things.

The expression “French Fried Potatoes” first occurs in print in English in the 1856 work Cookery for Maids of All Work by E. Warren.

It is believed by some that the term “French” was introduced to the potatoes when the American soldiers arrived in Belgium during World War I and consequently tasted Belgian fries. Since French was the official language of the Belgian Army at that time, it is possible the American soldiers began calling the fried potatoes “French” fries.

Explore more…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFrenchFryDay

Enjoy some French fries. Share them seasoned or dipped. Order them cut and shaped how you like them! Post on social media using #NationalFrenchFryDay.