Visualizing the Distance Between the Nearest Golden Arches
Marissa Liu — September 24, 2009 — World
References: weathersealed & seriouseats
In an attempt to “gauge the creep of cookie-cutter commercialism,” blogger Stephen Von Worley visualizes proximity of McDonald's. Why did he choose to map the nearest golden arches? Well in the blogger’s own words, “there’s no better barometer than McDonald’s – ubiquitous fast food chain and inaugural megacorporate colonizer of small towns nationwide.”
Between the tiny Dakotan hamlets of Meadow and Glad Valley lies the McFarthest Spot. It is 107 mile (145 miles by car) from the nearest golden arches. McDonald’s are most populous at the population centers (big cities) and along the highway grid but rest assured that if you’re looking for the nearest golden arches, a McDonald’s will be easy and quick to spot.
Between the tiny Dakotan hamlets of Meadow and Glad Valley lies the McFarthest Spot. It is 107 mile (145 miles by car) from the nearest golden arches. McDonald’s are most populous at the population centers (big cities) and along the highway grid but rest assured that if you’re looking for the nearest golden arches, a McDonald’s will be easy and quick to spot.
Trend Themes
1. Fast Food Proximity Mapping - Analyzing the accessibility and distribution of fast-food chains through data visualization can help businesses identify underserved areas and expansion opportunities.
2. Commercialization Assessment - Visualizing the concentration of commercial franchises can provide insight on the degree of commercialization in a specific area and can prompt the development of localized businesses.
3. Big Brand Competitive Intelligence - Mapping the distribution of fast-food chains can give insights into competitors' market share and potential areas for strategic partnerships or acquisitions.
Industry Implications
1. Food Service - Fast food proximity mapping can help restaurant chains identify potential expansion opportunities and assess the commercial landscape in different regions.
2. Real Estate - Assessing the proximity of fast-food chains can guide property developers in finding up-and-coming areas ripe for investment or redevelopment.
3. Marketing and Advertising - Analyzing the data from fast-food proximity mapping can help brands create targeted and effective advertising campaigns based on the concentration of their target audience or competitors.
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