Fast food is the term given to many foods that can be prepared and served quickly. While any meal with low preparation time can be considered to be fast food, such as TV dinners, typically the term refers to food sold in a restaurant or store which is rapidly prepared and served to the customer in a packaged form for take out/take away.Outlets may be stands or kiosks, which may provide no shelter or seating, or fast food restaurants (also known as quick service restaurants). Franchise operations which are part of restaurant chains have standardized foodstuffs shipped to each restaurant from central locations.The capital requirements to start a fast-food restaurant are relatively small, particularly in areas with non-existent or poorly enforced health codes. Small, individually-owned fast-food restaurants have become common throughout the world. Fast food restaurants with higher sit-in ratios, where customers can sit and have their orders brought to them, are known as fast casual restaurants.

On January 10, 2008, international restaurant chain Pizza Hut, Inc filed to protect the trademark Pasta Hut in relation to "restaurant services". This is the company’s first trademark application for this name, as well as the first indication that Pizza Hut is considering opening restaurants using the Pasta Hut brand name. (Trademork Exclusive)

Carl Karcher, who borrowed $311 to buy a Los Angeles hot dog cart in 1941 and turned it into a fast-food empire with more than 3,000 Carl’s Jr. and Hardees restaurants in 13 countries, has died.

Health wise, fast food really has little or nothing to offer. Just because a fast food chain serves a salad, or some sliced apples, does not mean they are now a healthy restaurant. That being said, if you manage your portions at these places, you should be able to survive one or two stops at your favorite greasy spoon joint.

I have a confession: I eat fast food several times a week -- it's easy, convenient, and isn't murder on my wallet. Despite the "bad rap" fast food has gotten in recent years, it is entirely possible to make better choices at many eateries. Here are my top picks at four of my favorite chains:

Big restaurant chains are rushing into what could be the future of takeout and delivery food: text ordering.