Your question may be approached from several angles ... when did the professional food SERVICE industry get started, or when did the food PRODUCTION industry get started are the clearest two. read more
McDonald's, which started it all, is now the world's largest fast-food chain. According to the National Restaurant Association, American sales of fast food totaled $163.5 billion in 2005 . The industry is growing globally as well. read more
As the fast food industry continued to expand and the first of the Baby Boomers entered the job market fast food restaurants began utilizing teenagers as part-time employees. By 1978 59% of teens were somehow involved in the workforce – many in a food industry setting. read more