A multi-billion dollar industry, fast food has been a steady favorite of American cuisine since the mid-20th century.http://www.eng.umu.se/E3ht03/manchester/Lisa/fastfood.htm Though hot dogs, corn dogs and other quick foods were available at state fairs as early as the late 19th century, hamburger and hot dog vendors did not become a regularly occurring phenomenon until the 1950s.http://www.foodtimeline.org/fooddecades.html

Fast food was born from many of the same reasons that enable it to exist today - it's quick and convenient. The concept revolved around minimal table service and a meat rich diet. The drive through led to even greater convenience and accessibility. Additionally customers were now seeing their food being prepared. This novelty helped the fast food industry grow even faster.http://www.tqnyc.org/2007/NYC074355/fastfood.html

Though fast food is most often associated with burgers and fries, fast and casual dining have spread across international cuisines, including Mexican food, Chinese food and even Middle Eastern food, with an emphasis on falafel.http://www.oxha.org/alliance-alert/2006-q1-jan2013march/alert.2006-01-25.4131366355/

Aside from permeating international cuisine, fast food is also finding itself among the ranks of traditional foods regularly prepared in homes and schools, reducing preparation time by up to 85%.http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-158389075.html

Though White Castle originated in Wichita, Kansas, nearly all major fast food burger chains started in Southern California. Carl Karcher founded Carl's Jr. in 1941 after owning several successful hot dog stands.http://www.ckr.com/about_history.html Dick and Mac McDonald opened their barbecue drive-in restaurant in 1940, but it took Ray Kroc in the early 1960s to turn it into the multinational conglomerate popular today.http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company/mcd_history.html

Today the landscape is dotted by fast food restaurants and convenience stores offering fast food. Some establishments like IN-N-Out Burger pride themselves in fresh ingredients and minimal processing of their food choices.http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company/mcd_history.html

The fast food industry has been routinely criticized by health advocacy groups for their trans-fat heavy and high-sodium meals, marketed primarily toward children. In recent years, restaurant chains have attempted to supplement their regular menus with more healthy choices, such as salads, fruit parfait and yogurt.http://www.healthchecksystems.com/ffood.htm