Building a Conglomerate in Another World-Chapter 150: The Plan for the new Food Empire

Matthew Hesh sat in his study late into the evening, surrounded by papers and sketches. Amber’s question about suppliers had been a simple one, but it had opened a floodgate of thoughts about the challenges ahead. The fast food concept he envisioned was ambitious, but he couldn’t ignore the practical obstacles that stood in its way. Chief among them was the current state of food production and the cultural norms of the 1880s.

Matthew leaned back in his chair, pen in hand, reflecting on the social habits of the time. In Amerathia, as in much of the world during the late 19th century, family meals were a cherished tradition. Families gathered around the table to share meals prepared at home, with recipes passed down through generations. Eating out was a rarity, reserved for special occasions or the wealthy elite who could afford fine dining establishments.

Fast food, as he envisioned it—a quick, affordable meal served in a casual setting—was a concept that clashed with this norm. People weren’t accustomed to eating on the go or choosing convenience over tradition. If his vision was to succeed, Matthew realized he would have to do more than introduce new technology; he would have to reshape how people thought about food and dining.

The cultural hurdle was just one piece of the puzzle. The other, perhaps more daunting, was the supply chain. In the 1880s, food production was localized, small-scale, and labor-intensive. Farms produced enough to supply local markets, but the idea of mass-producing chicken, potatoes, and beef on an industrial scale was virtually unheard of.

Chickens were primarily raised in small backyard flocks for eggs and occasional meat. The concept of broiler chickens, bred specifically for meat production, didn’t exist yet.

While potatoes were widely cultivated, their production was geared toward general consumption, not specific culinary uses like frying. Storage and transportation also posed challenges, as there were no large-scale facilities for keeping produce fresh.

Cattle were raised for milk, draft power, or as a long-term source of meat. The idea of consistently producing ground beef in large quantities for burgers was far from practical in the current agricultural landscape.

Without modern refrigeration, transporting perishable goods over long distances was nearly impossible. This limited the ability to centralize production and distribute food to multiple locations. But of course, he already invented refrigeration in this world, so this is a minus.

Now how would you modernize agriculture?

Step 1: Modernizing Agriculture

Matthew knew that increasing food production would require modern farming techniques. He made a list of innovations he could introduce:

Selective Breeding: For chickens, he would work with farmers to breed birds that grew faster and had more meat. These would become the first broiler chickens, optimized for consumption.

High-Yield Potato Varieties: He would collaborate with potato farmers to cultivate strains that were ideal for frying—starchy, long, and uniform in shape.

Cattle Feedlots: To ensure a steady supply of beef, he would introduce feedlot systems where cattle could be fattened quickly using specialized diets.

Crop Rotation and Fertilizers: To maximize land productivity, Matthew would promote crop rotation and the use of natural fertilizers like manure and compost.

Step 2: Industrializing Food Processing

Once the raw materials were available, Matthew would need to process them efficiently:

Chicken Processing Plants: These facilities would handle the slaughtering, cleaning, and portioning of chickens. Workers would be trained to follow standardized procedures to ensure consistency.

Potato Processing Facilities: Potatoes would be peeled, sliced, and partially fried before being frozen or stored. This would reduce preparation time in the restaurants.

Meat Grinding and Patty Formation: Specialized equipment would grind beef and form it into uniform patties, ready to be cooked.

Matthew made a note to design machinery for these tasks, combining his engineering expertise with the needs of the food industry.

Step 3: Cold Storage and Transportation

Refrigeration would be crucial to keeping food fresh during transport. Matthew outlined the following steps:

Cold Storage Facilities: Large warehouses equipped with ice-cooled rooms to store perishable goods.

Refrigerated Rail Cars: Inspired by existing technology, Matthew would commission rail cars insulated with ice compartments, ensuring food could be transported over long distances without spoiling.

Ice Production: To supply the cold storage and rail cars, he would establish ice plants near major production hubs.

Step 4: Creating Demand

Matthew knew that even with an efficient supply chain, he needed to create demand for his fast food concept. This meant changing people’s perception of dining out. He jotted down a few ideas:

Affordability: Fast food would be priced low enough to attract working-class families and individuals who couldn’t afford fine dining.

Convenience: The restaurants would be located in high-traffic areas like city centers, railway stations, and marketplaces, making them easy to access.

Advertising: Matthew would launch an aggressive marketing campaign to promote the idea of quick, delicious meals. Slogans like "Good Food, Fast" would highlight the convenience factor.

Family Appeal: By creating clean, welcoming spaces with play areas for children, he could position fast food as a family-friendly option.

The next morning, Matthew shared his ideas with Amber over breakfast. She listened intently, her eyes widening as he detailed each step of his plan.

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"It’s brilliant," she said, setting down her tea. "But it sounds like an enormous undertaking. Are you sure you’re ready for this?"

Matthew nodded. "I am. It won’t be easy, but I believe it’s possible. This isn’t just about building a restaurant chain—it’s about creating an entirely new industry."

Amber reached across the table, placing her hand over his. "You’ve always dreamed big, Matthew. And somehow, you always make those dreams a reality. I believe in you."

Her words filled Matthew with renewed determination. He knew the road ahead would be challenging, but he was ready to take the first step. Together, they would lay the foundation for a fast food empire—one that would transform the way Amerathians ate, worked, and lived.

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"I am going to need your help in this," Matthew said.

"Just tell me what I need to do and I will provide it for you," Amber replied assuringly.