...Paxton Tomlin Fast Food Nation Chapter 1 Summary Chapter one presents a historical look back at post-World War II America and how the fast food phenomenon we know today all began. The main theme of this chapter deals with the booming economy of the time and how people made their dreams possible. The dreams in this chapter, of course, deal with people owning their own fast food restaurant, and how their hard work payed off. Schlosser explains how the automobile industry, specifically in Anaheim, caused a demand for quality food made fast. The booming economy also played a role in helping people who visioned of opening up their own fast food restaurant, a possibility. One man in particular, Carl Karcher, was a man who dreamed of owning a hot dog cart and transformed that cart into one of America's biggest fast food chains. Schlosser states, ““When Carl heard that a hot dog cart was for sale…… he decided to buy it”” (15). After borrowing $ 311 from the bank Carl opened his first hot dog stand selling ““hot dogs, chilli dogs, and tamales for a dime each”” (Schlosser 15). Carl had strong opposition from his wife Margaret, but he still insisted on buying the cart and even kept his job at a local bakery to keep money coming in. Already you see an example of a young man who has a dream and is working his way up to make it a reality. Carl's constant commitment to his hot dog cart business and determination would pay off because by 1944, ““Carl Karcher owned four hot dog carts in...
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