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Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 11:29 am
by dukuboy1
I know this may not be popular but I was curious why the downtown core lacks fast food options? I know we have the BK Whopper Bar, and places like Chipotle(which I'm not considering fast food).
The nearest McDonalds to downtown is roughly Linwood & Main. Plenty of options across the river in NKC. I work downtown and I have no trouble for lunch spots and enjoy visiting the chains and local places. I also know my lunch budget may be higher than others when I do eat out, which is not every day.
However fast food chains do have a place and I wonder if as the residential & office population grow if we will see some of them pop up. You go to NYC, Chicago, etc. they have locations in building and such, usually smaller dining areas, there for people to get food to go. I think it will be interesting to see who the first one is that takes a "chance" and opens a location.
There could be franchisee issues to. I find it odd that there are no Jack in Boxes, & Krispy Creme in KC area basically West of 435 & I70 on the MO side. You have to go to the Eastern suburbs or KS suburbs to find those franchises. There are none in the Northland either, so there might be some weird franchise rule in place.
But IMO I think there would be a market downtown with the surrounding close residential and proposed office space growing. I think there would be plenty of opportunities for people who would like that choice
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 12:07 pm
by brewcrew1000
Because they would probably fail without a drivethru and lots of parking
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 12:16 pm
by flyingember
The reason is simple, there's competition from places that aren't major chains.
There's a staggering number of places you can get food fast for lunch.
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 12:27 pm
by dukuboy1
brewcrew1000 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2020 12:07 pm
Because they would probably fail without a drivethru and lots of parking
Interesting to think they would assume as much, given places in other cities thrive without. But I do see your point
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 12:30 pm
by dukuboy1
flyingember wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2020 12:16 pm
The reason is simple, there's competition from places that aren't major chains.
There's a staggering number of places you can get food fast for lunch.
Agreed there are many places to get food fast in downtown, but the competition is not so vast that a National chain would lose out. Especially considering the projected volume uptick in convention business, more visitors from out of town looking for familiar places. Just a curious question, that may answer itself soon enough.
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 1:58 pm
by KCPowercat
There used to be more with much less population of residents and employees. I think we will see them come back soon.
I know the McDonald's franchisee who controls downtown demands drive thrus because he sees all the drive thru sales at his other stores. I know it sounds shortsighted but this is KC.
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 2:14 pm
by DColeKC
brewcrew1000 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2020 12:07 pm
Because they would probably fail without a drivethru and lots of parking
Exactly. Biggest McDonald’s franchise owner in KC told me they’ll never do a McDonald’s in KC without a drive through. For my personal health, I’m happy about this!
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 3:01 pm
by KCPowercat
Doesn't really make sense. Seems that franchisee could reach out to other urban stores and realize how incorrect that is
Taco Bell survived for years in the bowels of city center square.
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 3:02 pm
by GRID
In the 90's, the City Center Sq McDonalds and the Plaza Mcdonalds were both two of the busiest in the metro.
I'm surprised Downtown doesn't have more of not only fast food, but general retail. Seems like the downtown population is high enough now that there should be more basic retail. I'm sure it's coming.
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 4:08 pm
by normalthings
dukuboy1 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2020 11:29 am
I know this may not be popular but I was curious why the downtown core lacks fast food options? I know we have the BK Whopper Bar, and places like Chipotle(which I'm not considering fast food).
The nearest McDonalds to downtown is roughly Linwood & Main. Plenty of options across the river in NKC. I work downtown and I have no trouble for lunch spots and enjoy visiting the chains and local places. I also know my lunch budget may be higher than others when I do eat out, which is not every day.
However fast food chains do have a place and I wonder if as the residential & office population grow if we will see some of them pop up. You go to NYC, Chicago, etc. they have locations in building and such, usually smaller dining areas, there for people to get food to go. I think it will be interesting to see who the first one is that takes a "chance" and opens a location.
There could be franchisee issues to. I find it odd that there are no Jack in Boxes, & Krispy Creme in KC area basically West of 435 & I70 on the MO side. You have to go to the Eastern suburbs or KS suburbs to find those franchises. There are none in the Northland either, so there might be some weird franchise rule in place.
But IMO I think there would be a market downtown with the surrounding close residential and proposed office space growing. I think there would be plenty of opportunities for people who would like that choice
I would much rather see local entrepreneurs launch a few food counters than support a national change. Chick-Fil-A is probably the only franchise I would support downtown due to their good working conditions and community engagement.
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 4:28 pm
by beautyfromashes
You have a Chipotle and Burger King, Jimmy Johns (eww), KFC/Pizza Hut, Picklemans and plenty of counter places. What else do you need/want?
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 4:52 pm
by KCPowercat
I mean a McDonald's obv
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 5:17 pm
by normalthings
beautyfromashes wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2020 4:28 pm
You have a Chipotle and Burger King, Jimmy Johns (eww), KFC/Pizza Hut, Picklemans and plenty of counter places. What else do you need/want?
Where is the Pizza Hut/KFC?
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 5:20 pm
by WSPanic
Really? Am I going to have to be the first the one to say it? Where the hell is STL Dan when you need him?!?!?
The answer is Lion's Choice. Carry on.
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 5:21 pm
by swid
normalthings wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2020 5:17 pm
Where is the Pizza Hut/KFC?
I'm guessing that's a conflation of the Pizza Hut location on Broadway with the former Pizza Hut/KFC combo location on Petticoat.
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 7:28 pm
by KCPowercat
Probably thinking of the old old KFC Pizza hut that is now a Chinese place. The franchisee of that place retired but was very successful
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 7:37 pm
by mgsports
DKM Burger,Mad Greens and so on. Also Pizza Ranch,Kneaders Bakery,Capriotti's,Del Taco,McCalister's Deli,Zaxbys,Raising Canes,Slims Chicken and so on.
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 8:07 pm
by beautyfromashes
KCPowercat wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2020 7:28 pm
Probably thinking of the old old KFC Pizza hut that is now a Chinese place. The franchisee of that place retired but was very successful
Yeah, I forgot it closed. I’d say we have some good options for fast food DT today depending on what area. I get the McD want, but I’d prefer local places reign DT instead of chains.
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:37 pm
by TheLastGentleman
mgsports wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2020 7:37 pm
DKM Burger,Mad Greens and so on. Also Pizza Ranch,Kneaders Bakery,Capriotti's,Del Taco,McCalister's Deli,Zaxbys,Raising Canes,Slims Chicken and so on.
This is a thread
made for mgsports!
Also
Re: Fast Food Options
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 11:16 pm
by dukuboy1
Interesting discussion. I was curious why some of the bigger fast food chains weren’t around. I’m personally happy with food options & we are not lacking for options. Found it curious why other chains weren’t around trying to capitalize on business