Encroachment

In Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser he writes about the concept of encroachment (pg.99). The term “encroachment” meaning to forcefully enter upon another’s property without any regards to their rights, in “layman’s” terms it means to take something i.e. businesses belonging to a chain of operations and putting it in the same area as other businesses for competition.

Eric Schlosser exemplifies encroachment in his success chapter when he talks about the conflicts between franchisees and franchisors and how their restaurants belonging to the same chain are frequently being put closer to one another. Franchisees call the practice “encroachment” and oppose it; their businesses become stagnant as their sales go down drawing away more and more customers due to the infringement. On the other hand franchisors benefit from this practice receiving revenue from royalties based on their total sales.

As a result of the more restaurants that “trespass” the more sales and business they drive up for themselves (franchisors), and the more business that go down for franchisees. Although it creates jobs for new workers mostly immigrants at the same time it tears down the integrity of these small businessmen trying to make a living that have no rights and rules are surely unfair.

One example of encroachment is the food trucks, especially around LaGuardia Community College. In total there are about 5 or 6 trucks on a three-block radius. There are 3 trucks alone on 1 block and they serve the same exact thing, though they may have certain customers, it brings conflict for business. If 1 food truck has a long line, I might go to the next one because I don’t feel like waiting, or one might not have what I wanted, then its on to the next, and so on. Yes they probably all make profits but I just don’t see for how long or how long will that truck be around without knocking the other one out of business due to encroachment.