Remember the local fish and chip store, Chinese restaurant, pie and sauce and chicko roll? Well, they like many other cultural norms, made way for their successor the mostly American hamburger and pizza format stores which 40 years ago heralded in a new way to eat-out and a new cuisine.

These store have done well and are still market giants and IBIS tells us that as of April 2015 McDonald’s held 16.5% of the fast food marketplace and sold $2.35 billion last year. KFC and Pizza Hit, owned by Yum! Restaurants, held 10.1% and turned over $1.43 billion last year and Subway accounts for 9.8% and had a turnover of $1.395 billion last year.

IBIS World Fast Food Services in Australia April 2015

But as with every other industry, these huge readily available food stores are feeling a tap on the shoulder as the next generation of food for sale hits our streets.

This prompted Rod Quinn of ABC Overnight’s to strike up another one of our regular early morning chats looking at the future of the fast food industry.

It seems that our tastes are moving gourmet, local and slow. We still want convenience but are willing to wait just a little longer for something that appears to be more nutritious and healthier.

Our existing big chains are trying to lead the charge by changing and extending their menus, but there other many new kids on the block offering a variety of new cuisines, new formats and new in store experiences. We’re seeing new stores, premium products, new floor plans, new ethnic foods, street carts and vans and a strong local community vibe permeating most of the in store marketing and look and feel.

Where to next for our fast/slow foods, this years top food trends, past food failures and successes and a quick tour around the world at what’s hot in take out foods and stores all made for a really great conversation and thanks to Dave, Mark, John, Bill, Tom, Greg, George, Pete, James, Ray, Geoff, Herb, Riley and Dale for calling and texting in and apologies to all the others that we couldn’t get to, this was truly a hot topic with lots of reminiscing, lamenting, questioning and hypothesising.

Have a listen to the segment now (45 minutes 26 seconds), share it around and join the conversation by letting me know what you want from the future of your fast food.