MUNCIE, Ind.— Muncie has had sort of a fast-food business boom in recent months. One chain is introducing itself to the community (Five Guys). Another isreturning (Hardee’s). And a third isadding a location to serve a different partof the city (Taco Bell).
It’s inevitable,when The Star Presspublishes a story about a chain like these coming to Muncie, no matter the reason, many ask this question in the Facebook comments section: Why does Muncie need another fast food restaurant?
It’s an interesting discussion, and not a bad question, given how many wealready have and these recent additions. But does Muncie really have "too many"fast food chains? Are we more concentrated in fast food than other cities of our size?
The data show otherwise.
Wait, how is that possible?
Living in the Muncie bubble, it’s difficult to picture how we could have fewerfast foodrestaurants than other cities.
Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler is pleased with the new retail developments becausethey're providing more food options, but he said he understands how a drive down McGalliard Road could give the impression. "It looks like we're overrun with fast food restaurants," he said.
Overall, Muncie has 14 of the nation's 17 favorite fast food chains, according to aUSA TODAY story of American Customer Satisfaction Index's 2018 Restaurant Report.A very informal Google Maps search shows that for its nearly 70,000 people, Munciehas four McDonald’s locations, nine Subways, three Wendy’s restaurants, three Burger Kings, three Dairy Queens, three Arby's restaurants, three KFCsand five Taco Bells. (Thatwas a mouthful.)
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It's not just quantity. We also have avariety of fast food, fromfish at Long John Silver's to a Butterburger and cheese curds at Culver’s, American-Chinese cuisine at Panda Express, chicken sandwiches at Chick-fil-Aand different styles of pizza from more than 10 national or regional chains.
Add this to the series of soon-to-befast food additions,and the landscape speaks for itself.AHardee’s is set to open in January, Taco Bell is adding a sixth Muncie spot on East McGalliard Road (counting the one in Ball State University's student center) and Five Guys is constructing a restaurant on Bethel Avenue.
So, what about the data?
Ball State economist Michael Hicks examined Census County Business Patterns from 2016, the most recent data, and utilized the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), to differentiate fast food restaurants from other establishments.
In 2016, Delaware County actually hadfewer fast food restaurants than would be predicted by its size.
Delaware Countyhas about 1.48fast food restaurants per 1,000 residents, which is 39th out of Indiana's 92 counties. Compare that number to counties of similar population sizes, like Clark and LaPorte counties, which both neared 1.6 fast food restaurants per 1,000 residents. That might not seem like much of a difference, but the scale spans from 2.02(DuBois County) to 0.49(Warren County).
Notably, Delaware County also hadfewer fast food restaurants per 1,000 residents than Tippecanoe or Monroe Counties, which hold Indiana college towns Lafayette and Bloomington,respectively.
Hicks said he, too, was a bit shocked by Delaware County's standing. He believesthe new openings of Hardee's, Taco Bell and Five Guys actually could be"more a reflection of us catching up to similar places than it is a proliferation of fast food restaurants."
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What makes Muncie so attractive to fast food restaurants
OK, we don't have more fast food than expected, but we do have a solid selection, and there are multiple reasons why these chains continue to show interest in this market.
Ramon Avila, George and FrancesBallDistinguished Professor of Marketing with Ball State, calls the city of Muncie "the perfect storm"for the numerous factors that make it a haven for fast food restaurants.
There is, of course, the Ball State effect. When the university's thousands ofstudents are in town taking classes, they’re boosting the population ... and spending dollars. They’re also seeking part-time employment. Not to mention, when athletic teams arrive from out of town to face the Cardinals, they’re likely seeking quick meals, not food that would take an hour’s wait. The same goes for junior travel teams, like with Munciana Volleyball.
Muncie is also the mid-point for the smaller surrounding towns between larger cities like Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. If a city like Anderson or Marion doesn't have a specific fast food chain, those residents can make the 30-40 minute drive to Muncie to fill that craving. Theymight also travel to shop at Muncie's retail outlets or to attend a show at Emens Auditorium. When they need a quick bite, those restaurants are available.
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Can Muncie also sustain more high-end, expensive restaurants?
Fast food isn't the only type of restaurant to establish itself in Muncie in recent months. New upscale eateries including osteria32 along Kilgore Avenue, Bevi Bistro in the Ball State Village and The Neely Housenear downtown Muncie are now open.
Russell Irving, who owns The Neely House, told the Star Press this summer that his goal was to make his restaurant a dining destination, one that would attract not only the locals, but also those out of town, for the unique experience. Avila said that's exactly what makes placeslike Bonge’s Tavernin Perkinsville, Ind., and Grains and Grill in Fairmount, Ind., so successful despite being in smaller cities. They gather a devoted following.
Just ask the owners of Vera Mae's Bistro, Kent Shuff and Steve Fennimore, who have kept their business running in downtown Muncie for 19 years.
So what's their secret?
"You’ve got to build the better mouse trap." Shuff said. "When somebody asks me about a concept or about a new idea, I kind of ask myself, 'Is someone out on McGalliard doing this?'If the answer is 'yes,' then my answer is generally 'no.'The chains all serve their purpose, but that’s not who we are."
Ball State economics professor Cecil Bohanon also notes that "having high earners is going to sustain high-end restaurants," adding that Ball State andIU Health Ball Memorial Hospital employ thousands and haveexecutives who earn relatively high incomes. These upscale restaurants are good spots to take prominent guests, to conduct an interview or just to show off Muncie's nice, local places.
Still, managing a sit-down restaurant remains a much riskier venture than overseeing a fast food franchise. Hickssaid the process of building and operating fast food restaurants is much easier and much less costly, whichcould be why they seem to quickly pop up out of nowhere. "The book's been written," Hicks said. "So you don't have to sort a lot of things out."
American fast food stores have also become increasingly focused on pleasing designs and pleasant atmospheres, giving them a quality diners might seek from a sit-down restaurant.Think Panda Express, Noodles and Company or Moe's Southwest Grill.Fewer people are carrying out food at these types of places and instead, choosing to enjoy a longerlunch or dinner inside — while paying the cheap fast food price.
Despite complaints, we still love our fast food
The truth is, we complain about the new fast food restaurants, but our city will likely support them. These businesses aren’t looking into Muncie without thoroughly studying the market. Mayor Tyler said that market will always determine the number of these placesand whether they'll besuccessful.
Many actually seek more fast food options. In October 2017, the Star Press found that several social media users were taking to the platform to share which chain restaurants they wanted Muncie to gain. A Facebook post that recommended SONIC station itself near the former Toys R Us gathered more than 560 shares in support. So many have long-awaitedfor Muncie to get a Chipotle Mexican Grill thatsomeone even started a Twitter account about it. Some residents have askedDunkin’ Donuts to return, despite Muncie already having a pair of Starbucks locations and local coffee and doughnutshops including The Cup, The Caffeinery, plus two Concannon's and Jack's Donuts locations.
Most experts with whom the Star Press spokesee the addition of fast food chains as either agood or neutral thing, not a bad thing.
"I don't think it's generally cause for alarm to see a preponderance of fast food restaurants," Hicks said.
Speaking more as a 38-year citizen of Muncie than an economist, Bohanon said anytime a business opens in Muncie, he sees it as good news.In the end, they're businesses opening, not closing.
"It's something that at least is hopeful," Bohanon said, "even if it's another Taco Bell."
Audrey Kirby is a reporter at the Star Press. Follow her on Twitter @ajanekirby, and email her story ideas: ajkirby@muncie.gannett.com.