I for one have enjoyed the flavours of the fast food joint here in London, but don't make it a habit to visit it on a regular. For one, its more expensive than the corner chicken shops which also sell burgers, and kebabs, you might not get your drink in a cup with a straw, but I can get a can of Coke, Pepsi or Tango, all imported in from Poland or some Arab country (you know the ones where the only English on the can is the brand name). And at the same time, I'm not a big fast food person, so my trips there are limited to the odd Friday afternoon when I can't be bothered to cook. And living in London as I've done, there is so much more variety to choose from. Gastro Pubs and the chippy, provide the famous "fish and chips" that so many britons enjoy.
I really wonder how well this business will do in Antigua? Will it be another Pizza Hut? Obviously they've situated it in a place where they will benefit from the supporters of Deluxe, but how would they fare elsewhere? I doubt they will have much impact in the market space that is dominated by the Syrian late night pita and pizza shops and their most competition of course will come from the nearby KFC. Antigua people do love KFC, so much so, that our representative in this years International Soca Monarch competition in Trinidad Joel "Hard Knaxx" Lewis sings about, you guessed it, KFC. He dresses like a chicken, clucks like a chicken and takes all of his dates to sample Antigua's finest cuisine, at KFC. I know Trini's love their KFC as well so I'm pretty sure this song will be a hit down there, but he's going to have to bring a brilliant performance to win over the Trinidad crowd who will be backing their own artists such as Kerwin Dubois and Machel Montano who have some really good songs this year.
Anyways, I digress. The only other fast food franchise apart from KFC to last is Subway, and I heard they aint doing too well. And I believe at one point, (long long ago) someone tried to bring a McDonald's to Antigua, but I doubt that even got off the ground after they did their market research. But times have changed, the influence of the States has made everyone accustomed to these franchises. Those of us who have spent any time abroad (especially us poor students) know how easy it is to pick up a meal from one of these places rather than slaving away behind a hot stove. And when we're back home, we kinda miss those little luxuries....but then again, we have the bread shop in Gray's Farm, and the Syrians...so scratch that last point. I for one do not need another fast food joint in Antigua. Look at the state of the people in their society, here in Britain the amount of people classified as obese is around 25%. That's quite a lot.
Healthy eating should be at the forefront of everyone's mind in 2012. Less sugar, less fat, more veg, more protein. Not Burger King. But I suppose "everything in moderation" - my mum always tells me....is acceptable, but I wouldn't risk going into business against our KFC loving nation, oh and Honey Cutter (my guilty pleasure whenever I'm home) is the only other place I get chicken. Its on the grill, and cooked by Mr Cutter's fully trained and well mannered Jamaican chef's, well not really, but a chicken cheese burger -with bacon if you eat pork- and a cranberry juice really hits the spot.
Well I wish the owner of the new Burger King establishment luck.....I think he'll need after the hype dies down and people start to realise that they'll probably get better value at the "local" places (yes the Syrians are more or less local now imho). I hope he doesn't loose too much money, dont want his wife to leave him or anything, but if that happens at least he knows......
"If you want a gyal, carry she a Kentucky!"
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I'm interviewing at Burger King next week as a matter of fact. Hhah.
ReplyDeletegood luck!
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