Introduction
In recent years, fast-food chains such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and other popular restaurants have come under fire for their unhealthy menu items. From high-calorie burgers and fries to sugary sodas and milkshakes, these fast-food restaurants have been criticized for their lack of nutritious options. As a result, many people are turning to healthier alternatives, such as Eat This Not That, to make better food choices. Eat This Not That is a website and app that provides healthier alternatives to fast-food items, helping people make informed decisions about what they eat. In this article, we will explore why fast-food chains are under fire and how Eat This Not That can help people make healthier choices.
McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Other Fast-Food Chains Are Under Fire for This Reason — Eat This Not That
Fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King have been under fire recently for their use of unsustainable and unethical practices. From the use of antibiotics in their meat to the use of palm oil in their products, these fast-food giants have been criticized for their lack of environmental and animal welfare standards.
The use of antibiotics in their meat is a major concern for many consumers. Antibiotics are used to treat and prevent disease in animals, but when they are overused, they can create antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This means that the bacteria can no longer be treated with antibiotics, making it difficult to treat illnesses in humans.
The use of palm oil in fast-food products is also a major concern. Palm oil is a major ingredient in many fast-food products, but it is also a major contributor to deforestation. The destruction of rainforests to make way for palm oil plantations has caused a significant loss of biodiversity and has been linked to climate change.
In addition to these issues, fast-food chains have also been criticized for their lack of transparency. Many of these companies do not disclose the ingredients in their products, making it difficult for consumers to make informed decisions about what they are eating.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to fast-food chains that are more sustainable and ethical. Plant-based restaurants, such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, are becoming increasingly popular and offer healthier and more sustainable options. Additionally, there are many local restaurants that offer organic and locally-sourced ingredients.
By choosing to eat at these restaurants, consumers can support businesses that are more sustainable and ethical. Eating at these restaurants is not only better for the environment, but it can also be healthier for consumers. So, the next time you’re looking for a quick meal, consider eating at a plant-based or local restaurant instead of a fast-food chain.
Some of your favorite fast food restaurants are paying their employees under $15 per hour—all while the company CEOs get raises.
New data from The Company Wage Tracker shows that at restaurants like Arby’s, Wendy’s, and McDonald’s, employees are making less than $15 per hour. The Company Wage Tracker is a tool which shows how many workers companies employ, how much revenue they generate, how much CEOs make, and what hourly workers make.
Between March 2021 and November 2021, Company Wage Tracker data shows that 56% of service workers surveyed made less than $15 per hour. According to data, Subway pays 23% of its employees under $10 an hour. McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Waffle House offer similarly low wages.
Related: 8 Worst Fast-Food Burgers to Stay Away From Right Now
Not surprisingly, CEOs of these major companies were making the most, and their wages even increased to an average of $15.3 million in 2020—as hourly worker wages dropped 2% to $28,000 annually.
“Low pay is not limited to ‘mom-and-pop’ stores—it is also widespread in big box stores, restaurants, and grocery stores that often have high CEO pay and revenue,” said Ben Zipperer, economist at Economic Policy Institute. “A higher minimum wage and unions can put corporate greed in check and raise wages throughout the labor market.”
The tracker also shows higher wages at a select few stores and restaurants, including Costco, UPS, and Amazon.
“Wages are far too low for far too many workers in the service sector, millions of whom staffed the frontlines during the pandemic,” said Daniel Schneider, Professor of Public Policy and Sociology at Harvard University. But these data also show that higher wages are more than possible—they are already a reality for workers at some of the largest firms in the country.”
Not all fast-food restaurants pay their employees on the low side. According to the data, In-N-Out Burger pays 14% of its workers at least $20 per hour.
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Kristen Warfield