There have been few paradigm and culture shifts in the US that have had a lasting impact, quite like the rise of fast-food restaurants. Both fueling and encouraging an on-the-go lifestyle, the transformation of food consumption began in 1921 with America’s first fast food burger joint – White Castle. This new type of dining seemed to appeal to a fast-paced way of life – offering convenience and affordability, and requiring a new assembly line production style which was the first of its kind. White Castle wouldn’t be alone for long. Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) would open in 1930, McDonald’s in 1940, and Burger King and Taco Bell would join by the mid-1950s. Franchises of these brands appeared across the United States, despite economic struggles and global unrest.
Many major fast-food chains, such as McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Chick-fil-A, etc., operate sophisticated systems to ensure safety and security in restaurants 24/7. This sets a standard for security hardware and equipment in all locations. These include video surveillance systems, alarm systems, time-delay safes, fortified drive-thru windows and robbery prevention training for the entire staff. Additionally, the rate of production in today’s fast-casual restaurants requires operations to be conducted at a volume and pace too rapid for humans to consistently monitor and execute in a productive manner.