MC DONALDIZATION: GLOBALIZATION IS PRESENT IN CONTEMPORARY TIMES!

  Mc Donaldization is process by which the principle of fast-food restaurants are coming to dominate more and more sectors of American society together with the rest of the world. This is a form of globalization. It is globalization as it crosses the borders of other countries (Mohan, 2000, p.121). 

In the context of the Caribbean, many fast- food restaurants have penetrated borders of the Caribbean countries. They then fuse with the local Caribbean culture of the people creating the popular fast- food culture. This is a contemporary phenomena that is currently affecting the majority of the Caribbean. Through the power of worldwide globalization, fast- food restaurants are able to be locate all over the world and has found its way into Port- of-Spain. It not only exits in Port- of- Spain but it is gradually dominating the food industry and the food economy.

The colours of the red and white paints used by Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) captivates the eyes of their customers worldwide and especially in Port- of- Spain. People are attracted to their restaurants. These restaurants all have a well laid out design of each establishment. Although, the designs of the buildings are not extreme, they are still outstanding as they are usually large enough to be seen, however dyspeptic designs are not necessary in the promotion of sales (Relph, 1981, p.76). It is important to note that fast-food restaurants can be found anywhere in Trinidad. For example, a KFC can be found at a number of places in Trinidad, and there are currently 5 outlets located in Port of Spain alone (KFC, 2015). The KFC franchise has been existing in Port- of- Spain from ever since the first branch opened in St James in 1973 (KFC- TT, n.d.). A photograph of KFC is shown in the following. 

Photograph of the fast- food giant, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Independence Square, Port- of- Spain.

Photograph of a Subway Restaurant in Port- of- Spain.

Subway follows the similar trend of design, with their colour scheme, consistency through their signage and the signage in front of the building. It is spitefully placed for the public to see from a distance and be attracted to it. 

The building infrastructure is representative of process of  Mc Donaldization within Port- of- Spain. These restaurants are specifically located in urban areas where people generally have a hectic life with no time to prepare meals. Also, with the low price that the food requires to obtain a hearty meal, every one in the city contributes to their profits. The buildings demonstrate different fast- food outlets that are presented blatantly by the urban building infrastructure.

To end off this post, you should realize that the infrastructure reflects the Mc Donaldization that transpired in Port- of- Spain. With globalization in contemporary times, the fast- food market continues to grow. The building infrastructure and the ways in which the building are built together with  the ways they are decorated play an important role in the analysis of the city in relation to globalization.

References

KFC-TT. (n.d.). About us. Retrieved April 10, 2015, from <http://kfc-tt.com/about-us>.

KFC. (2015). Locations. Retrieved April 9, 2015, from http://kfc-tt.com/locations/.

           

Mohan, Giles. (2000). Dislocating globalisation: Power, politics and global change. Geography, 85, 121-133.

           

Relph, E. (1981). The Character of Modern Landscapes. Rational landscapes and humanistic geography (p. 63- 105). London: Crown Helen.