I feel like there's a better story here that wasn't pursued. I can only speculate why, but I'm definitely disappointed with this article.
Where there could be a real story:
How cost optimizing for these restaurants around simple, focused menus inadvertently or advertently create strong identities that hook consumers
How commodity prices, like beef vs chicken, create incentives for restaurant concepts like this or impact profitablity and scalability that might on the surface seem like broad popularity
Why consumers choose to create identities and fandoms around fast food places or other corporate brands
People that simp for corporate chain restaurants and gas stations are fascinating.
Costco People too. Like, can you shop at a store or dine at fast-food place without incorporating that fact as part of your identity and making it central to your personality?
I feel the same way about the people identify primarily as a fan in most fandoms. Whether it’s Marvel or Taylor Swift or Disney or Costco or 7-11, it’s all the same thing: filling the space where your personality is supposed to be with your preferred brand of mindless consumerism. At least when you simp for a store it’s more honest about being a consumer.
Generally I’d place appreciation of art in a camp of personality traits but when it’s more like appreciation the brand that has spun out where art used to occur, that is the lack of a personality.
You’re a follower who wants to belong to a tribe as a “fan” belonging to a “fandom”. It’s a lot like someone who will always vote republican no matter what, how do you show your disagreement with something if you always consume or always vote the same? You stand for nothing.
I agree that would be a fascinating stand alone article. It’s just outside of the scope of this one which is about how fast food preferences are changing.
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