America's development was founded on the building blocks of diversity. Peoples of different languages, cultures, ideologies, races, ethnicities and religions, have blended into a mosaic of oneness. Inclusiveness hasn't been perfect but E pluribus unum for the populace has been the goal. But in the process, about 4 million Jews and a like number of Muslims currently living in the United States have been excluded by an industry that represents a large portion of our society and economy..."fast food". How so, you may ask? By the industry's use of pork products, most notably in its hamburgers, pizzas and breakfast sandwiches.
So how about substituting turkey-based sausage and bacon? While the National Pork Producers Council might panic at this suggestion, the National Turkey Federation should love it.
Turkey-based is as good, if not better, and it would permit several million citizens to patronize familiar names like McDonald's, Hardee's, Wendy's, Pizza Hut, Dominoes, Burger King, along with many others.
For a great many, simply not ordering pork products isn't enough since the pork is cooked right on the same grill as a cheeseburger. In addition, pork products are touched by employees who come in contact with other areas of preparation, thus making the entire kitchen area taboo. Kosher (halakha) and halal are critical factors here. So, while there are some secular Jews who do eat pork, I'm quite certain there are few Muslims, even secular, who violate the food restriction.
By eliminating pork usage, there is also a chance for increased employment among those of these two faiths. Perhaps there are those who would like to open a franchise in their own cities, towns, communities and neighborhoods. The presence of pork makes such an enterprise virtually impossible.
There is also the corporate bottom line to this proposal. Nearly 8 million potential customers (about 2.5% of the US population) are out there, ready to boost sales and profits. 'Barring' these people because of their religion simply is not good business. Here's further illustration, in dollars and cents (sense?).
Americans support the fast food industry to the tune of nearly $120 billion per year. With over 300 million people in the US, that works out to about $390 a year per person or nearly $33 per month. And recent surveys show that Americans eat out almost 5 times a week with some families spending as much as $300 PER WEEK. So while that 2.5% of the population might seem small, the $3.2 billion dollars in increased revenue isn't. That reflects a 2.5% increase. That's not small potatoes.
Over the years fast food has suffered through a bad reputation regarding low wages. Perhaps increasing access to the industry by millions of people could help remedy the problem. More customers equates to more sales and more sales means more profits. Yes, corporate moguls and shareholders will profit too but increased profits will also be shared by those working in the trenches.
CEOs, CFOs and COOs don't make Wendy's, A&W and all the rest profitable. They don't make the stock valuable.They don't work behind the counter or at the drive-thru window. It's the owners, managers, cooks, cashiers and, very importantly the customers, who are primarily responsible for the success or failure of these bastions of Wall Street. By changing something that is changeable, thereby increasing the number of people who eat out, there can only be winners.
Food is the common denominator to all people. Race, religion, politics and countless other sources of division are subordinate to eating. Food, like water and air, is neutral. Thus, with more people standing in line together, sitting across from one another, rubbing elbows in more restaurants across this land, perhaps a greater understanding of one another is possible. And today, more understanding is definitely needed. Right?
