Encroachment

In Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser relays a concept known to franchisees as "encroachment." Franchise companies seek to open as many outlets as possible, potentially over-saturating an area. While this does improve sales for the franchise overall, the individual outlets suffer from the increased competition, even, perhaps especially, with businesses under the same banner. This also shows how little the franchises care for their franchisees; they are seen as every bit as disposable as an individual burger flipper. Subway in particular is cited as the worst possible example by both Schlosser and Dean Sager, a former economist for the House of Representatives. Subway employs sales agents to aggressively spread franchises, and imposes harsh standards on them. They are forced to open as many new franchises as possible, in a constant flow, completely ignoring any consequences this might have for existing stores. However, Subway is just one example of this form of excess, and a symptom of the thought patterns that drive the fast food industry: more shops, more sales, at any cost - the workers are expendable.