This week (March 6, '96):
Is Big Business Bad?

Would you rather patronize a family-run grocery or restaurant, or just go to McDonalds for the third time this week?

MDARNTON - Growing up, (and still at age 20) McDonald's was/is always a treat. Heck, going out to dinner was a treat. I suppose I was lucky my mom cooked. (And she can cook. Her mashed potatoes ROCK!!!) I think that if you cook for yourself, any time you go out, (no matter if it is a mom-and-pop or fast food) you have a good time and enjoy the experience.

schwa - Keep it all in the family. The smaller, the better, in this case. Generally, the mom-and-pop businesses are more willing to establish a relationship with their clientele, getting to know their likes and dislikes, fine-tuning their services to the customer's needs. They're less likely to serve en masse, and more likely to call you by name. Although we may have less of a chance to know *their* morals, the multi-national conglomerates are less likely to know our names.

Kimmy - I can't say that big business is all bad, especially cause I work in it, but I do try to support and patronize business (small and large) that I see doing things I like, such as being environmentally friendly, woman friendly, etc. I don't really believe in boycotts, to me that is negative reinforcement, but I try to keep aware of companies policies and choose where I shop accordingly. I especially try to support co-ops whenever I can.

emma - I often choose the smaller, family-run business, though not from any sense of moral obligation. The smaller businesses are usually more friendly and give better service, which is often more important to me than a few cents' difference in price. But I can't really complain about big business, considering that I ate at McDonald's three times this week already!

balpert - It depends on what I want. I can't get a $0.69 burger in 30 sec. at a family restaurant. On the other hand, I can't enjoy a warm, family atmosph. and home cooked food at Macs. Both have their purposes in the good ol' usa...

TRose - I know that franchises are the symbol of free enterprise but when is big business just too big? When the main company makes millions off of operators paying to use a name, then taking that money to advertise around the world is putting Mom&Pop; resterants out of business. How many towns can you go to that do not have a McDonalds, Burger King, or even a Wal-Mart? The small indepndant business is becoming an endangered species.

pauen - Besides the mass-media advestising campaigns, what's the difference? Quality - Both will produce the best quality because repeat visits are important. Price - You get what you pay for. A $0.69 hamburger is smaller than the $4.50 burger platter. Atmosphere - People are people where ever they work.

JeremyD - For one, I hate Mcdonalds. their food is all microfaved and everytime I eat it I always get sick. The big giants don't need my money, I would rather give my money to places that are the old "mom and pop" places. Their food is better and they are a lot nicer.

CRCollins - Big business has its advantages, especially in the restaurant biz. Biggest advantage: consistency. Whether you order a quarter pounder with cheese or a Royale with cheese you know what you're going to get. On the other hand when you look at how big biz in taking over the country, when Pepsico owns Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Pepsi and a couple other subsidiaries you have to wonder if this really is a democracy or an economic oligarchy. As far as little businesses go, they are generally not bad quality-wise but you have to decide that for each one you go to. [Just a note: if you live anywhere near Pittsburgh PA, Eat n' Park can be a great place. I frequent one when I'm home and a few of the waitresses know more about me than my name. In fact the best waitress I've ever had is a great lady named Margarite (sorry if I spelled it wrong.)]

ShaneM - It all really depends on if the food is crap or not and what kind of mood I am in.

scubagirl - It's the combination that makes the world go around -- I like having the choice. Only going to one would eventually get boring.

mags - I definitely like to patronize local merchants. Whenever I can, I buy produce from farmer stands and try to frequent Mom and Pop establishments. But the prices of large chains make them hard to resist....

M.S. - The death of small, family-run businesses goes hand in hand with the death of the family in America which, in turn, goes hand in hand with the death of America itself. Down with nameless, faceless corporate conglomerates! Bring back the family doctor (e.g. Doctor Rob!!)!! All hail Marx and Lennon!!!

cso1 - First of all McDonald's is nasty and filthy akd disgusting, so why eat there anyway? But, if you must eat greasy fatty food, I think it is okay to eat at McDonald's or at a family store. The jobs of McDonald's employees are just as important as those of anyone else, regardless of if they own the shop or not. Anyway, didn't McDonald's start out as a family-owned place?

AnnMarieClark - Depends on the place. Any place that is clean and where the service is decent will work. That's far more important to me than whether my money's going to a conglomerate or to Mom&Pop;, Inc. I can't let myself get hung up on all that political, background stuff.

mjustman - It depends.... If I'm in a hurry, it's a Big Mac. But if I want to enjoy a good meal, relax, and really kick back, I'll go to a small locally owned joint I prefer.

markjac - Let's say that McDonalds was next to "Grandma Maggies" (in Wamic OR)....I would choose the smaller of the two. Besides, McDonalds gives me an upset stomach.

Adante - In my part of the world (South-East Asia), big businesses are thriving; even the Japanese believe in sogososhas (conglomerates). Fast food giants like McDonalds find a place in growing economies and the young here feel it's cool to hang out at such places in order to be seen. I guess many still want to emulate the Western way of life. Life here is on the fast lane and nothing beats McDonalds for a quick meal. However, we Asians have also learnt to stop and smell the flowers and the small family-runned eateries still survive because we still believe in the small pleasures of life; like having Chinese congee or fried noodles rather than having Kelloggs breakfast cereals, a Big Mac for lunch and pizza from Pizza Hut for dinner!

lisab - Run to McDonalds.

bpeabody - I like the feel of local merchants. They have character. It's too bad that big business, which is clearly more efficient and therefore can offer products at a significant discount to the consumer, could not figure out a way to maintain character.

Lakean - I think that fast food restaurants serve their purpose . If I am on my way to school and only have half an hour to get there of course I am gonna choose a fast food restaurant, but if I have more time -- say for Dinner -- I would choose the mom and pop restaurant. Besides Burger King pays my bills so how can I really complain about them. Well gotta go serve some greasy burgers : )

edisto - Big business is not bad. Big business must learn that the customer is a person, and not a number. When I go to a small "mom and pop" business, I feel that they know me, and that they will appreciate my business. I do not feel that big business appreciates its customeers. If I eat at McDonalds, I have to eat what they sell, exactly the way that they decide it should be prepared, whereas at a family owned restaurant, I have choices. Having choices is worth the extra money it might cost.

dante - Corporate enterprise is almost always bad. With companies laying off people right and left but at the same time raising the salaries of the CEO's, I have lost the little trust I once placed in big business. I would almost always support the independent business. They are willing to earn my trust, to me trust is worth something. I'm willing to pay a little extra for it. Family industry also has some morals -- they are not soley driven by the profit motive. I will support this whenever possible.

Utopia - I never go to McDonalds and I would most definitely go to a family run restaurant before I would go to McDonalds.

Carrington - I will always patronize the independant if the place is clean and the people are nice. I refuse to go to a big company if I can keep the money in my community. Most times the service and product are better anyway.

Copper - I think both have their advantages and disadvantages. With a "Big Business," usually you can be assured of a clean, safe, etc. environment, whereas a family business may not necessarily be up to the same standards. On the other hand, you also lose the "atmosphere" with a big business such as McDonalds, etc, that is usually inherent in small family-run companies.

paulor - I just love small restaurants, because of the friendly and warm reception. McDonalds is just when I'm in a hurry.

Elisabet - I always try to choose brands or restaurants from Sweden, preferably local ones. I don't want my money to be sent to the states. I want to keep it within the country so that the profit will be invested here.

labels - I personally have always preferred a place that pays more attention to individual needs and detail, something which most "big business" concerns are incapable of doing, due to their very volume. When it comes to a restaurant, give me a smaller concern every day of the week, however, on a "grander" scale, I find that an organization such as AT&T; has a definite edge over a smaller, less established company.

Ltesluk - In this economy, all else being equal, I would prefer to give my business to the little guy. And I like to encourage "family" enterprise--anything that strengthens a family. However, I also prefer to have "pure" food, so if I believe any place uses a lot of MSG, preservatives, filler, I would avoid it.

jaspar - My husband and I eat out at least 4 times a week. Typically we go to a national chain once every 2 weeks and locally owned restaurants the rest of the time.