The growth of fast food companies globally, resulting in cheaper prices and greater availability, have become an increasing source of both excitement and apathy. In my opinion, this trend is in general quite harmful, since the cost to both the environment and to people is too great.
A benefit of the increasing ubiquity of fast food is that those in poorer areas will be able to afford to eat. Since fast food is both cheap and quick to make, this will appeal to those with not a lot of money and time. Furthermore, fast food restaurants are also a major employer of low skilled workers, and as such, can help to provide poorer individuals with jobs. For instance, fast food chains are one of the biggest employers in countries such as America, especially in isolated towns and counties.
On the other hand, it could be said that fast food does much more harm to society in the long run. Firstly, fast food has been shown to cause numerous health problems, such as increased blood pressure and risk of heart disease, which will be very costly to society. In addition, the meat necessary to uphold the supply chain of fast food restaurants requires the wholesale slaughter of animals in factory farms, which could be said to be both environmentally and morally questionable. For example, McDonalds have been shown by numerous reports to be a frequent violator of environmental legislation.
Thus, I argue that while the short term economic effect on society might look desirable, in the long run, the health and environmental effects of fast food mean that their growth is overall undesirable.