Should local governments be able to keep out fast food franchises?

[RandomAnthony]

Should local governments be able to keep out fast food franchises?

This is a huge controversy in a small, touristy area in northern Wisconsin.

http://www.jsonline.com/business/9519...

I say "yes". In fact, Jackie pointed out how the only fast food restaurant in downtown Olympia is a remarkably well-hidden McDonalds that is, I guess, off the main downtown area. I do understand the franchise owner's point in the article, though, about how the town has franchise supermarkets and gas stations, though.

What do you think?

[ms.petra]

I say yes and I'm all about free markets, free enterprise, choice, and competition. I say say keep decisions local! The community knows what is best for them.

[[deleted user]]

If local governments can keep Wal-Mart from building a colossal Super Wal-Mart in their town, then certainly they have the right to dictate what fast food (or other retailers) restaurants can operate in their towns.

[[deleted user]]

What Bun said!

[Phil]

BunWat wrote: "I don't need a starbucks halfway down the south rim of the Grand Canyon, thanks."

When they build one, you could come out my way and visit the unspoiled north rim. Hiking down is tough, though, due to the piles & puddles of mule droppings. Ugh.

[Félix]

The north rim is fabulous.

[Sarah]

There's a neighborhood here that successfully kept out Taco Bell, and is now fighting Wal-Mart. City Hall wants it, since it brings jobs to the city, but the community argues that it hurts the local businesses. I've got my fingers crossed for them.

[[deleted user]]

I always wondered if it really brought jobs or not, because by the time the other businesses fold, or reduce employment to match their new level of business, have any jobs been created?

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

Absolutely local governments should be able to keep out certain businesses/restaurants. Door County caters to high income tourists, so it's not like restaurants like Subway and McDonalds would benefit enormously from the rush of customers itching to pay $5 for a meal instead of $6.50 at the family owned deli. I don't think the vacationers of Door County care that much about saving $1.50.

Aside from the business aspect, there's the visual blight of chain restaurants.

I'm pretty sure Mount Desert Island, Maine, where Bar Harbor is located, doesn't have any chain restaurants. No McDonalds, Starbucks, Subway, none of that crap. More communities should ban them.

[Cosmic Sher]

We have a friend in Corvallis, just south of Salem, who shops at a local grocery that's 85 (or near) years old and they love it. The guy's great-grandfather opened it & he now runs it. They just found out that the building management won't renew their lease because some big budget store will pay more for it. I hate hearing that because this was a thriving store that had no trouble with customers. The mngmt wouldn't even give them the choice of paying more, they just kicked them out. I just don't feel that's right.

[Phil]

I'm mixed on banning certain restaurants. I think I would be more on the side of banning classes of businesses, rather than individual concerns. For example, if a city banned McDonald's but allowed Taco Bell, I'd have a problem with that.