Question

Discussion: (Minimum one page is required)

This Discussion is on emerging submarkets in the fast food industry and creating alternative responses. We also discuss competition in the high growth markets of sports drinks and electronic PDAs. This discussion is also on the future of the fax machine and scenario analysis on hybrid/alternative fuel automobiles.

Please answer all questions associated with the discussion. Some are opinion-based and just require that you weigh in with your thoughts or perspective.

Scenario: Hybrid cars will continue to improve and take 15% of the automotive market in a few years. Analyze it from the point of view of an energy company like Shell, a car company like Mercedes (who makes diesel cars) and Chrysler (who does not).

Answer 1

- There are three emerging submarkets in the fast food industry like restaurant industry, as below

• Independents
• Regional &
• National Franchises

- The independents are either a single local fast food store or comprising very less in number like 2- 4 stores under the same name. These are owned by individual proprietors or the partners & have only a limited area significance within a state.

- Regionals, are comparatively larger than its independent counterpart comprising of 10- 30 number of the stores under its name & have presence in two or more states, also specialized in its own type of cuisine.

- National Franchises have the presence all over the nation & even in foreign countries. These are not owned by any single entity rather these are publicly traded & controlled by its shareholders ex- McDonald, Burger king etc

* Many new healthy food options are coming against the traditional fast food items & cuisines, comes under the niche sub market alternatives.

- Electronic PDA & Energy drinks are the high growing niche markets, they share less market share as of now as compare to others like soft drinks but they continuously at high speed growth due to their uniqueness & reliability.

PDA - personal digital assistance, used as a fast motion & voice sensing device highly useful in police, industrial sectors.

Energy Market - Top 3 leaders are Red Bull, Monster & Rockstar , these reflect their own uniqueness from others as physique, personality, self image etc )

- Fax Machines , as opposed to the prediction made earlier are growing in market with newer technologies & specifications due to the Cloud & IP technologies I.e FOIP, also due to its sustainability & enhance enterprise communication.

Faxed Signature, Faxed paper cheque, fax in shipping truck are most popular due to their genuineness & speed process.

- Hybrid car, are replacing slowly but surely the old ICE market cars. These are petro- electric cars with more efficiency than the pure ICE cars because their cost optimization due to small sized engine requirement also it is becoming more friendly & creating goodwill amongst the peoples because of its Co2 reduction initiative. Chrysler cars are planning to launch their hybrid cars in many foreign markets , companies like Honda & maruti are planning to launch it in India very soon.