From Conception to First Bite: The Intersection of Food and Technology When Launching a Fast-Casual Restaurant Open Access

Schirn, Maya (Spring 2022)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/7s75dd71r?locale=en
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Abstract

Building on research surrounding fast-casual restaurants, this work explores how a fast-casual restaurant can survive in a post-pandemic world. This study investigates the Atlanta’s fast-casual restaurant scene, examining practices and developments through recent innovations such as ghost kitchens, apps, automation, and understanding where the opportunity zone is located. This study closely follows a developing Atlanta based emerging fast-casual chain, Recess Concepts, LLC. 

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................1

Chapter I: Literature Review & The History Of U.S. Food Regulation......................................................................... 3

I. American Meat Consumption and Regulations...................................................................................................... 3

II. Emerging Fast-Food Culture................................................................................................................................. 6

III. Nutrition and Diet ................................................................................................................................................ 8

IV . Food Sourcing and Supply Chains ...................................................................................................................... 9

Chapter II: Industry Analysis ...................................................................................................................................... 11

I. Consumer Culture................................................................................................................................................. 11

II. COVID-19........................................................................................................................................................... 12

III. Technology ........................................................................................................................................................ 12

IV . Consumer Behavior and Decisions ................................................................................................................... 15

V. Recess Concepts, LLC........................................................................................................................................16

VI. Atlanta Fast-Casual/Quick-Service-Restaurant (QSR) Analysis ...................................................................... 19

Chapter III:

Methodology ............................................................................................................................................ 22

I. Objectives ............................................................................................................................................................. 22

II. Recruitment, Data Collection, and Privacy Rights ............................................................................................. 22

III. Study Population................................................................................................................................................ 23

IV. Development of Interview Questions................................................................................................................23

V . Methods For Data Analysis ................................................................................................................................ 24

Chapter IV: Interview Analysis ................................................................................................................................... 26

I. Sustainability Practices, Sourcing, and Distribution ............................................................................................ 26

a. Nestlé.......................................................................................................................................................... 26

b. Sweetgreen ................................................................................................................................................. 28

c. MetroFresh ................................................................................................................................................. 30

d. Recess......................................................................................................................................................... 32

II. COVID-19 Pandemic .......................................................................................................................................... 33

a. Nestlé.......................................................................................................................................................... 33

b. Sweetgreen ................................................................................................................................................. 34

c. MetroFresh ................................................................................................................................................. 35

d. Recess......................................................................................................................................................... 36

III. Technology and Innovation ............................................................................................................................... 38

a. Nestlé.......................................................................................................................................................... 38

b. Sweetgreen ................................................................................................................................................. 40

c. Recess.........................................................................................................................................................43

Chapter V: Conclusion and Recommendations............................................................................................................ 46

I. Industry................................................................................................................................................................. 46

II.Future of Recess................................................................................................................................................... 48

Appendix .....................................................................................................................................................................49

Section A: Participants Interviewed and Interview Details .................................................................................... 49

Section B:Sample Interview Questions .................................................................................................................. 50

Section C:Images of Atlanta Businesses and Recess Brand Development ........................................................... 51

Section D: Images of Sweetgreen, Cava, and Uber Eats Ordering Application ..................................................... 55

References ...................................................................................................................................................................56 

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