What makes a sandwich a sandwich? The sandwich may be defined as a food item, consisting of two slices of bread, between which you can place meat, cheese, vegetables or whatever you prefer. Sandwiches are extremely popular among adults and children, since they are comparatively easy to cook. Sandwiches are eaten as midday meal, as well as taken on picnics and hiking trips. You can have them as a part of a larger meal or as a quick meal. Sandwiches are usually accompanied by salad, soup or potato chips.
The sandwich industry is a profitable one: according to the Washington Post its income totaled $105 billion in 2003. This is, perhaps, the most essential reason fast food establishments include more and more sandwich-related items on their menus. At present, sandwiches are cooked in various styles, including Aram sandwich, Bacon butty, Buritto, Club sandwich, Grilled cheese, Melt sandwich, Submarine sandwich and others. In some parts of Europe open sandwiches are popular, which are served open face with warm beef, ham or turkey. In India, the sandwich is made of three slices of bread covered in green chutney. It is filled with slices of potato, cucumber, tomato, raw onion and beetroot.
Being part of the fast food menu, sandwiches are considered to be unhealthy food. If consumed too often they can damage health. Preference should be given to grilled sandwiches, which are regarded as healthier choices. There is a wide variety of sandwich grills, most of which fall into two categories: gas-fueled and charcoal. Gas-fueled
sandwich grills use natural gas-the food is cooked either directly or on heated grill elements. Such grills range from small-sized single steak to industrial-sized sandwich grills used in restaurants.
Charcoal grills use charcoal briquettes, which transform into the heat necessary to cook sandwiches. The traditional charcoal grill is of hollow metal construction with three legs and metal disc to catch ash. There are two grades: lower, which is designed to hold charcoal, and upper for holding food to be cooked. Such type of grill was introduced by
George Stephen, who first sold the results of his creation to his neighbors and then founded the Weber-Stephen Products Company. Weber grills are now popular and used in many restaurants. Because grilling is considered to be a good tradition in the United States, sandwich grills are a profitable business.
The sandwich industry shows the signs of growth, taking into account six percent annual growth. For this reason, sandwich franchises appeal to potential managers, restaurant owners and people who want to get into the restaurant business. A sandwich franchise offers advertising, marketing and public relations support.
Taking changing tastes into account, the food choices and styles of cooking are being constantly improved. Today sandwich franchises pay particular attention to fresh and healthy alternatives to traditional sandwiches. It may be regarded not only as investment in business, but also as an investment in the health of the community. Sandwich franchises try to provide you with the best food, the best service and the best setting, so that you can enjoy your sandwich in a strange city, but feel like you are at home.