Archives for November 2016

Fast food is making a push to get healthier — and also more upscale. Fast food joints like McDonald’s and Burger King have already added some healthier options to their menus, while national chains like Panera are gaining market share as the population leans toward healthier food choices.

Panera has been swift to accommodate to changing consumer trends and demands. The café-style chain offers healthy, organic, gluten-free options comprised of deli-type sandwiches, soups, salads and, more recently, pasta dishes. It has eliminated artificial ingredients and sweeteners in its meals.

After its rise in popularity, Panera experienced a new problem: Long lines. In response, the company invested in technology that includes in-store kiosks where consumers can place their order and pay without standing in line. You can even grab a booth and order from your own laptop or tablet. Many of the newer, stand-alone buildings also have a drive-through. The company is also investing to expand its catering presence.

There are currently more than 200,000 fast food restaurants in the U.S., which generated a combined $200 billion in revenue in 2015. The industry employs more than 4 million people, and restaurant franchises added 200,000 jobs last year.

In his 1949 novel titled “1984,” George Orwell made ambitious predictions about things that would exist 35 years into the future, such as technological innovations in surveillance technology, speech-to-text software and missile detection systems. Many of those things became a reality during that timeframe.

In 2007, a report by NBC Nightly News made predictions for 10 years into the future. One correct prediction concerned the equivalent of today’s ubiquitous Wi-Fi and cloud systems, in which wireless communication technology is “almost invisible” and links all rooms in a house as well as the ability to access public and personal data from anywhere. Another successful prediction foresaw the creation of a breathalyzer-type device to detect various kinds of cancer.

In the “not-quite” column, NBC also reported there would be widespread biometric technology for security and privacy. We’re not there yet, but some manufacturers are starting to use fingerprints to unlock cellphones. Another prediction we have yet to achieve is a remedy that successfully treats Alzheimer’s disease. The latest treatments are able to mask Alzheimer’s symptoms, but are unable to slow its progression or impact the underlying disease.

Futuristic predictions can be interesting to ponder, but we have to be careful how much we read into them. In some ways, a 1940s author with an active imagination was more on target than scientific-based projections made just 10 years ago.

The same holds true for many things for which we tend to rely on guesswork, such as what teams will compete in the Super Bowl, when the next terrorist strike will happen or what investments may outperform in the market. When it comes to your finances, consider working with a financial advisor to create a financial strategy that will help you work toward your financial goals.