American Businesses: A Disturbing Trend

It seems like American businesses are losing their way. The recent “rebranding” attempt by a well-known restaurant chain feels like another step in a baffling march away from what made brands beloved.

These are the choices we make. Bad choice. Anti-Parliamentary choice. Anti-human choice.

Look around. What do you notice? There’s a growing skepticism towards establishments that resemble cold industrial spaces. Bakeries, once warm and inviting, are now just modern “stores,” often styled with an almost clinical aesthetic.

Everything seems harsh and unwelcoming. There’s no softness—everything is grey instead of green, fluorescent rather than incandescent. Aluminum dominates over velvet.

Remembering Our Roots

This isn’t new; you’ve seen it happen everywhere. The world around us has become stripped of vibrant colors and curves, replaced with bare, lifeless structures. Take, for instance, the remnants of abandoned Pizza Huts scattered in suburbs. At first, I found it sad, but then it hit me—Pizza Hut has evolved into something different, something perhaps better.

But McDonald’s is what I really worry about. Meeting Mayor Ronald in a McDonald’s used to evoke childhood joy. Those restaurants often had play areas filled with bright characters, and the buildings themselves sparked imagination. They featured distinct angles and vibrant colors—think bright reds and yellow accents of French fries.

Now, if you observe McDonald’s, it represents a stark contrast—a brutal revival in modern architecture.

Today, these locations look like abstract, monotonous boxes, void of personality or comfort. The once-vibrant décor has vanished. All that remains are grey and brushed aluminum surfaces that invite nothing but discontent.

The worst part? They attempt to maintain some semblance of their iconic identity with the familiar golden arches, but it feels like a cruel joke. “Look what we’ve become,” they seem to say, “LOL.”

These are not restaurants anymore—they’ve turned into industrial spaces devoid of warmth.

The Car Dilemma

The situation with cars mirrors this trend.

Hold on; let me clarify before you jump in with “not all cars look alike.” Some might argue it isn’t as dire as I make it sound. That’s a bit of a stretch, isn’t it? If it were true, every car would mesh into a single mold. However, they don’t. Let’s take SUVs; their shape is not inherently aerodynamic, yet the market is flooded with these hefty boxes.

There was once elegance in design like the 1934 Chrysler Airflow, which was actually quite aerodynamic and still nice to look at. This isn’t even about government requirements; it says something deeper about us. There’s a hollowness inside that reflects in the stark design of the monochromatic vehicles on the roads.

Questioning Our Choices

These are the choices we make. Bad choices. Choices that feel anti-human.

You might’ve noticed the recent uproar surrounding Cracker Barrel’s “rebranding.” This chain, known for its comforting American cuisine reminiscent of home cooking, was founded in 1969 with the aim of creating a warm atmosphere like those old roadside diners. Simple and inviting, where families could gather and enjoy a meal together.

It’s heart-wrenching to see Cracker Barrel morphing into something unrecognizable, like going from a treasured family home to a correction facility.

Who’s Making These Decisions?

So, who is behind these radical changes? It seems that corporate leaders, often detached from reality, take beloved brands and disregard customer sentiment. The current CEO of Cracker Barrel, Julie Fels Messino, appears to be one of those figures attempting to reinvent the past into something that’s—well—hard to get excited about.

This pattern isn’t new. Remember Bud Light’s disaster? A young executive turned the brand’s image upside down, driving sales down significantly.

Time for Change?

America must regain its footing. We don’t have to accept blandness dictated by a narrow view of progress. A certain group seems intent on punishing what we cherish, treating our preferences with disdain.

God has given us a world full of beauty and vibrancy. For centuries, people have strived to create harmony and beauty, evident in historical structures that inspired awe. But now, the grand vision seems lost, replaced by sad boxes void of character.

We need to reclaim our appreciation for beauty. It’s our heritage and our right. Let’s bring that back.