GOULBURN has a McDonalds on both sides of the City, tempting travellers off the Hume.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A KFC, a Red Rooster, a Domino's, Zambreros and a few Subways entice residents in the CBD.
Now Hungry Jacks wants to move in, Red Rooster wants to expand to two stores and Crust Pizza will also open soon.
Throw in a few kebab shops and the handful of independent local takeaways that have flourished in recent years and you've got dinner sorted for a month or two.
The City of Roses? Lilac City? We would offer up The City of Fast Food as a third option.
But do we really need all of this?
Certainly, we are all guilty of taking the easy road to filling our tummies.
It happens in those moments - you know the ones - when you're leaving work in the dark at 5.30pm and realise you have to go grocery shopping for those last few ingredients for a home meal.
Enroute to the supermarket you're tired, and getting a car park at that time of the night is no easy task. Slippers, a cup of tea and Netflix are waiting for you at home after all. If only you were there already.
The signs of instant gratification light up the sky as you drive down Auburn St.
Next thing you know you are a six pack of nuggets deep, dusting off chip salt from your fingers, sipping on that coke you know you really shouldn't be drinking. Are you hungry any more? No. Are you feeling guilty? Most likely.
This is not an editorial designed to shame fast-food eaters and perhaps it's a little too self-reflective, but we have to ask: Do we really need two more reasons to skip the supermarket?
These days, ease-of-access trumps all. Time is our most precious commodity.
That being the case, the development of more franchise fast food outlets can only lead to more pressure on existing local businesses (and more pressure on our waist bands).
On the other side, the two developments will bring a hundred jobs to the area and there are existing healthy-food options for those inclined.
The model made famous by the Greengrocer was an example of such success.
A bike shop, grocer and cafe all rolled into one. Customers could order their coffees and sandwiches, browse or bask in the sun and be on their way.
Grit Cafe and Oliver'son Sowerby St attracts enough business with their wholesome food options to get under the skin of their giant fast food neighbours.
Farmer Feld's is bringing another option to the table with the development of the Grazing cafe.
In the end, it all comes down to personal choice and moderation. Most outlets have healthy options to consider.