If you've seen the film Super Size Me, then you have a pretty good idea of what a 30-day diet of Mickey D's can do to you. Of course, it doesn't take a documentary to prove that fast food isn't exactly good for you or the planet.
Not all fast food chains are the same, however. Two companies that come to mind are Burgerville and Cisco Burger–both west coast companies who have a beef with the status quo. Go figure.
If any chain has the potential to change the fast food landscape for good it's Burgerville. Known for its progressive business practices and commitment to local resources, Burgerville is a privately held chain in Oregon and southwest Washington.
All locations are within a 180 mile radius, and it's most significant differentiation is in its use of local ingredients and natural ingredients, such as Tillamook Cheddar in its burgers, and locally grown strawberries in its milkshakes and sundaes.
In addition to using range-fed beef without hormones and antibiotics, Burgerville composts it's own food waste and transforms their trans fat-free canola oil into biodiesel.
Further down the coast, in a slightly industrial part of Long Beach, CA, proudly stands Cisco Burger, an old-school hamburger stand with a modern, eco- friendly philosophy.
Owned by celebrity couple Jesse James and Sandra Bullock, Cisco Burger brings fresh food and fresh thinking to a potential franchise opportunity. From handcrafted burgers topped with farm-fresh produce to homemade soups, everything at Cisco Burger is made from scratch when you order it.
But the food is only part of the story. Cisco Burger uses real plates and silverware for dine-in orders, and biodegradable paper products for take-outs. A large percentage of their electricity is from solar power, and deliveries are made from hybrid cars.
Clearly, the world could use more companies like Burgerville and Cisco Burger. Older, established companies who have the will to stick to their vision to brand new companies who are trying new ways to make things better.
Fast Food is definitely a modern convenience that has lost its way. What are some other aspects of the fast food business that restaurants should implement to make the world a better place.
Would consumers wait longer, or pay more, for healthier orders made from scratch? Could drive-thrus go away to save idling cars from wasting gas? Could promotional giveaways be made from recycled materials? What else?
  
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