Position Paper: Draft

Nov. 9, 2010
Contact:
Nick Rust
Burger Planet
assistant public relations account executive
Phone: 206-878-5001
Fax: 206-878-5007
Email: nickrust@burgerplanet.com
Website: https://www.burgerplanet.com


POSITION STATEMENT


Obesity Rates Rising Among Americans

To combat the increase in weight gain, Burger Planet will now offer low-calorie menu and nutritional education.


During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. Sixty four percent of women, 72 percent of men and 1 out of 3 children now qualify as being obese. Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes (1). If Americans do not change their eating habits and stay active, obesity and disease rates will continue to increase.

There are many reasons that have factored into the increase of obesity such as: the American lifestyle has become quicker, schedules are more packed, children are also spending more time watching TV instead of playing physically active sports or games, and one out of five mothers also have a full time job (3).

The concept of a quick service restaurant (QSR) was developed near the turn of the twentieth century and since that time over 160,000 QSRs have been established throughout America (4).As a result, the popularity of QSRs have increased over the past 20 years. The convenience of QSRs have led to one out of four of Americans eating at a quick service restaurant daily (2).

In 1970, Americans spent about $6 billion on fast food and in 2000, they spent more than $110 billion. Americans now spend more money at QSRs than on higher education, personal computers, computer software, or new cars. They spend more on fast food than on movies, books, magazines, newspapers, videos, and recorded music - combined (5). The demand for QSR will not decrease so doing something to ensure our customers have low calorie alternatives to a burger and fries. In moderation, fast food is fine, but like anything else, too much can be bad. Staying active by exercising regularly is also key to battling obesity.

A goal of Burger Planet is to improve the nutrition of our customer and make nutrition information easy for them to access. To counter act the trend of obesity Burger Planet has revamped their menu to supply their costumers with a new low calorie menu. Customers have the option of ordering a white meat chicken breast wrapped in lettuce to make a low carbohydrate meal. Unlike our competitors, customers will now have the option of requesting a hold on their condiments for anything they order. Holding Mayonnaise can reduce up to 500 calories off any meal. Burger Planet will also now be serving fruit packets which can be substituted for fries and a variety of gourmet salads.

Americans need to be aware about the risks of eating too many high-calorie foods. Burger Planet has an obligation to its customers to provide low calorie alternatives to the menu and nutritional education.

In addition to the new low-calorie menu, Burger Planet has hired fitness expert, Jayne Petersen, to help educate customers about nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices. Like Burger Planet, Petersen preaches moderation and staying active. To show our dedication to our customer’s health, Petersen will join the beloved Corny the Clown on a national nutrition tour to numerous Burger Planet locations and shopping malls supplying nutrition information to the public.

Founded in 1934 by James E. Muellenbach I and headquartered in Gary, Ind., Burger Planet has served over 52 billion customers and counting. At last count Burger Planet has 8,921 franchises across the world and employs 48,272 people. Burger Planet is the leader of the quick service restaurant industry and, although retired, Muellenbach I is the current president of the Quick Service Restaurant Association.

http://answers.yourdictionary.com/answers/food-cooking/what-percent-of-americans-eat-fast-food.html (daily)(2)
www.americanprogress.org (3)
www.cdc.gov (1)
www.numberof.net (4)
Fast Food Nations by Eric Schlosser (Chp. 1) (5)