Why We’re Lovin’ It: The Allure of the Fast Food AU
What happens when your favorite wizard trades their wand for a spatula, and Hogwarts becomes a burger joint? The answer, surprisingly, is a whole lot of fun. In the ever-expanding universe of fan fiction and fan art, a peculiar and popular trend has emerged: the fast food AU. These alternate universes, or AUs, take characters and settings we know and love from books, movies, games, and more, and plop them right into the greasy, chaotic, and strangely comforting world of fast food. From Harry Potter serving up Whoppers to the Avengers slinging fries, the fast food AU offers a unique blend of relatability, humor, and creative exploration, allowing fans to reimagine beloved characters in relatable and often hilarious scenarios. This article explores the surprising appeal of the fast food AU, examining why these reimagined worlds resonate so strongly with fans and creators alike.
At the heart of the fast food AU’s popularity lies a simple truth: fast food is relatable. It’s an experience shared by millions across the globe. Whether it’s a late-night craving, a quick lunch break, or a family road trip pit stop, fast food has become ingrained in the fabric of modern life. This ubiquity makes it a fertile ground for creative reimagining. The contrast between the mundane reality of flipping burgers or taking orders and the often-fantastical origins of the characters involved is where the magic truly happens. Seeing powerful wizards struggling with a broken ice cream machine offers a delightful contrast to their usual world-saving adventures. It grounds them, makes them human, and, most importantly, makes them funny.
Beyond the relatability, the fast food AU unlocks incredible creative freedom. It’s a chance to build a whole new world, one centered around fries, shakes, and late-night cravings. What are the different chains like in this AU? Do they have intense rivalries, each vying for burger supremacy? Are there secret menu items with magical properties? The possibilities are endless. Authors and artists can craft intricate backstories and relationships for characters based on their roles in the fast food setting. Imagine Ron Weasley’s inherent clumsiness making him a liability in the kitchen, or Hermione Granger meticulously organizing the condiment station for maximum efficiency. The familiar setting provides a framework, but within that framework, creators are free to invent and explore.
Humor is another key ingredient in the fast food AU recipe for success. These AUs often serve up generous portions of both self-deprecating humor and affectionate parody, gently ribbing the original source material while simultaneously poking fun at the fast food industry itself. Many fast food AUs feature characters grappling with demanding customers, incompetent coworkers, and the never-ending struggle to maintain a clean uniform – situations anyone who has ever worked in the service industry can relate to with a knowing cringe. The humor stems from taking larger-than-life characters and placing them in incredibly ordinary, often absurd, situations.
Finally, there’s a certain comfort and nostalgia associated with fast food. For many, it evokes memories of childhood treats, late-night hangouts, and simple pleasures. Fast food AUs tap into these feelings, creating a sense of familiarity and warmth. They offer a comforting escape into a world where even superheroes have to deal with the daily grind of a minimum wage job.
Order Up: Exploring Common Fast Food AU Concepts
The world of fast food AUs has developed its own distinct set of tropes and ideas. Certain character roles tend to recur, often with humorous twists on their original personalities.
The Manager
is often the responsible (or perpetually stressed) leader, desperately trying to keep everything running smoothly while simultaneously dealing with a chaotic staff and demanding customers. This role might fall to someone like Captain America, struggling to maintain order amidst the Avengers’ burger-flipping antics.
The Fry Cook
is the heart and soul of the kitchen, often possessing hidden talents and a surprisingly deep understanding of the culinary arts. Picture someone like Luna Lovegood, intuitively knowing exactly when the fries are perfectly golden brown.
The Cashier
is the face of the restaurant, responsible for taking orders, handling money, and putting on a friendly face even when dealing with the most unreasonable customers. This role might be filled by someone like Peter Parker, using his quick wit and charm to defuse tense situations.
The Drive-Thru Attendant
is the voice of the restaurant, often unseen but always present, taking orders and relaying messages with lightning speed. This role could belong to someone like Loki, using his persuasive skills to up-sell customers on extra fries.
The Health Inspector
is the dreaded figure who can make or break the restaurant with a single inspection. This role might be taken on by someone like Dolores Umbridge, finding fault with every tiny detail and delighting in issuing fines.
Different fast food chains also tend to be associated with specific roles and personalities within the fast food AU landscape. McDonald’s, as the classic and ubiquitous chain, often represents a mainstream power or a symbol of corporate dominance. Burger King, with its flame-broiled attitude, becomes the rebellious alternative, challenging the established order. Wendy’s, known for its sassy social media presence, is often portrayed as witty, sarcastic, and unafraid to speak its mind. Taco Bell, the late-night favorite, is associated with fun, indulgence, and questionable culinary choices. Starbucks, the upscale coffee shop, tends to be inhabited by more sophisticated characters, sipping lattes and discussing existential crises.
Typical storylines in the fast food AU world often revolve around restaurant rivalries, epic battles between competing chains for burger supremacy. Employee romances blossom amidst the sizzling grills and overflowing fryers. Secret menu items are discovered, possessing unexpected and often magical properties. Characters embark on a quest to create the perfect burger, a culinary journey filled with challenges and rewards. And, of course, there are the everyday struggles of dealing with difficult customers, a universal experience that transcends fandom boundaries.
Consider a Harry Potter fast food AU, where Hogwarts students work at a wizarding Burger King, using spells to flip burgers and conjure up milkshakes. Or a Marvel fast food AU, where the Avengers deal with demanding customers at a Stark Tower McDonald’s, balancing their superhero duties with the demands of a fast-paced kitchen. Imagine Luke Skywalker flipping burgers on Tatooine in a Star Wars fast food AU, dreaming of a life beyond the fryer.
Beyond the Bun: Creativity in Art and Fanfiction
The fast food AU is not just a literary phenomenon; it’s a visual one as well. Artists create charming and often humorous depictions of their favorite characters in fast food settings. The art style tends to be cute, cartoonish, or stylized, emphasizing the lighthearted nature of the AU. Artists skillfully incorporate elements of the original source material into the fast food setting, adding subtle details that fans will appreciate. Tumblr, Twitter, and DeviantArt are popular platforms for sharing fast food AU art, allowing artists to connect with fellow fans and showcase their creations.
In the realm of fanfiction, the fast food AU provides a fertile ground for narrative exploration. Authors craft diverse stories, ranging from slice-of-life narratives that focus on the everyday experiences of fast food workers to romantic comedies that explore the possibility of finding love in the drive-thru lane. They also delve into more complex storylines, exploring character relationships and developing new narratives within the confines of the fast food setting. Archive of Our Own and Fanfiction.net are popular platforms for sharing fast food AU fanfiction, providing a space for writers to connect with readers and share their stories.
The Downside of Drive-Thru: Potential Pitfalls
While the fast food AU offers a wealth of creative possibilities, it’s important to acknowledge its potential limitations. One concern is the potential for oversaturation and clichés. The trend can sometimes become repetitive, with the same jokes and storylines recycled endlessly. It’s crucial for creators to be aware of these common clichés and strive to create something fresh and original.
Another concern is the potential for perpetuating negative stereotypes about fast food workers. It’s essential to avoid portraying fast food employees as lazy, unintelligent, or lacking in ambition. Instead, creators should strive to portray them as complex individuals with their own dreams, aspirations, and challenges.
Finally, there’s the potential for simplifying complex characters by placing them in a simple environment. It’s important to ensure that the characters retain their depth and complexity, even within the confines of the fast food setting. The best fast food AUs find a way to balance the humor and relatability of the setting with the nuances of the original characters.
Final Order: Why the Fast Food AU Persists
The fast food AU, despite its quirks and potential pitfalls, continues to thrive as a popular and engaging form of fan creation. It offers a unique blend of relatability, humor, and creative exploration, allowing fans to reimagine beloved characters in new and unexpected ways. It’s a testament to the power of creativity and the enduring appeal of shared experiences.
In conclusion, the fast food AU is more than just a silly trend; it’s a reflection of our own lives, our shared experiences, and our ability to find humor and connection in the most unexpected places. It’s a reminder that even superheroes and wizards have to eat, and sometimes, they even have to work for a living. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the delicious world of fast food AUs and discover a whole new way to enjoy your favorite characters! What fast food restaurant would your favorite character work at? The possibilities, like the secret menu, are endless.
