The rise of car culture in the United States during the late 1940s lead to the development of a new type of restaurant known as fast food. The food was tasty, cheap, filling, and fast, making it instantly popular with American consumers. The Fast Food Industry traces the rise of this industry, including its history, rapid global expansion, controversies, and future. Features include a glossary, websites, source notes, infographics, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.