The smell of French fries wafts out of the kitchen. Hamburger meat sizzles on the hot grill. Surrounded by red and orange menus, greeted by excited cashiers, customers ponder over what to order, putting fast food advertising methods to the test.
Fast food companies spend at least $1.6 billion a year in the United States on advertising, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In order to maximize sales, companies have utilized various advertising methods.
"We don't normally think about how fast food companies appeal to product placement, communication applications teacher Kami Faldyn said. "They will place commercials at times when a specific audience is going to be seeing it. "According to senior Kathryn Wright, fast food companies have implemented the feelings evoked from color into their advertising techniques.
"They tend to use reds and yellows,"" she said. "They mix together to give an orange, which actually promotes hunger." ".
How companies intend to be seen can also be reflected in the environment restaurants place customers. Junior La'Lexus King said things such as a smile from a cashier or a happy actor in a commercial affect customers' perception of fast food products.
"The way the workers talk to you, they're cheerful and happy like their food is the best thing ever,"" she said. "It's contagious and makes you want to go buy it too. Fast food places make their restaurants look very bright and cool, like everyone's just having fun. ".
A recent study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity found that companies make an effort to target younger children and teenagers. By instilling a sense of familiarity around their product, fast food companies are able to gain lifetime customer loyalty.
"The other day my husband said [he didn't] want to take the kids to play at McDonald's, Faldyn said. "[He'd] rather take them to play at [an inflatable play place], and then go have a hamburger at McDonald's.
