Fast-food restaurant

Fast-food restaurant is a specific type of restaurant that serves fast food cuisine and has minimal table service. The food served in these restaurants is often offered from a limited menu, cooked in bulk in advance and kept hot, is finished and packaged to order, and is usually available ready to take away, though seating may be provided. Fast food restaurants are typically part of a restaurant chain or franchise operation that provides standardized ingredients and/or partially prepared foods and supplies to each restaurant through controlled supply channels.

History

The concept of ready-cooked food for sale is closely connected with urban development. In Ancient Rome, cities had street stands that sold bread and wine. The history of fast food in America began on July 7, 1912, with the opening of a fast food restaurant called the Automat in New York. The Automat was a cafeteria with its prepared foods behind small glass windows and coin-operated slots.

Business model

Fast food restaurants are traditionally distinguished by their ability to serve food via a drive-through. Outlets may be stands or kiosks, which may provide no shelter or seating, or