Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America [Paperback]

Just asWINNER 2021 PULITZER PRIZE IN HISTORY [A] smart and capacious history. . . . Throughout this impressively judicious book, [Chatelain] is attuned to the circumstances that encouraged increasingly intricate ties between McDonalds and black communities across the country. This isnt just a story of exploitation or, conversely, empowerment; its a cautionary tale about relying on the private sector to provide what the public needs, and how promises of real economic development invariably come up short. . . . Franchise is a serious work of history. . . . [Chatelain's] sense of perspective gives this important book an empathetic core as well as analytical breadth, as she draws a crucial distinction between individuals actors, who often get subjected to so much scrutiny and second-guessing, and larger systems, which rarely get subjected to enough. An impeccably researched examination of McDonalds and how the franchise was once intended as a path to economic freedom in Black communities. A fascinating, overlooked perspective on a US institution. Well-written... Emphasizes how todays conversations around fast food in America were shaped by government policies, and examines how the fast-food industry is connected to Black Lives Matter and other social change movements.... Invaluable for those studying the intersections of race, economics, and business in the United States. Chatelain makes a convincing case that racial tension, the civil rights movement, and fast food all combined to change the dynamic of mostly black communities ignored by white power structures. Chatelains impressive research and her insertion of editorial commentary will prove educational and enlightening for readers of all backgrounds. An eye-opening and unique history lesson. Thanks to Marcia Chatelain, Ill never look at fast food the same way. She pairs burgers and fries with civil rights and black wealth, showing readers exactly what opportunity in America really looks like. Marcial¾