Building a Conglomerate in Another World

The train hummed softly as it carried Matthew and Amber Hesh back to Newport after the successful grand opening of the Hesh Emporium. The city lights of Amsterdam faded into the distance, replaced by the quiet countryside. Amber rested her head on Matthew’s shoulder, her eyes closed but her mind still buzzing with the energy of the day.

Matthew, however, was deep in thought. His earlier comment about "chicken" wasn’t just a fleeting idea. It was something that had planted itself firmly in his mind. He looked out at the darkened landscape, his thoughts racing.

"Amber," he said softly, not wanting to disturb her too suddenly.

"Hmm?" she murmured, lifting her head slightly.

"Have you ever thought about how long it takes for people to get a meal when they go to a restaurant?" Matthew asked, his tone thoughtful.

Amber tilted her head, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

"Well, think about it," Matthew began, leaning forward slightly. "When people go to a restaurant, they have to wait for a menu, decide what they want, place their order, and then wait again for the food to be prepared. It can take a long time, especially if the place is busy."

Amber nodded, understanding his point. "That’s true, but isn’t that part of the experience? Sitting down, enjoying the atmosphere?"

"Yes, but not everyone has the time for that," Matthew countered. "What about people who are on their lunch break, or families who just want a quick, affordable meal? What if there was a way to serve good food faster?"

Amber’s eyes lit up as she began to grasp his idea. "You’re talking about revolutionizing how people eat out, aren’t you?"

Matthew nodded. "Exactly. Imagine a place where you can walk in, place an order at a counter, and get your food within minutes. No long waits, no complicated process. Just fast, consistent, and affordable meals."

Amber leaned back, considering his words. "That’s... an interesting idea. But how would you make it work? Restaurants take time to prepare meals because they’re made fresh."

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"That’s where the innovation comes in," Matthew explained. "We’d focus on a limited menu—simple, popular dishes that can be prepared quickly and consistently. Everything would be prepped in advance, so it’s just a matter of assembly. For example, fried chicken could be breaded and cooked in batches, kept warm until it’s served."

Amber’s brow furrowed slightly. "Wouldn’t people think it’s lower quality if it’s made that way?"

"Not if it’s done right," Matthew said confidently. "The key would be to maintain high standards for quality while streamlining the process. And we’d make the experience enjoyable—clean, welcoming spaces, friendly staff, and affordable prices."

Amber smiled, her imagination running wild. "It does sound like something people would love. Families, especially. But what would you call it?"

Matthew thought for a moment, a grin spreading across his face. "Fast food. That’s what it is—good food, served fast."

As the train continued its journey, Matthew shared more of his vision. He described a world where fast food restaurants would be everywhere—conveniently located in busy city centers, along highways, and even in small towns.

"Imagine this," Matthew said, his eyes lighting up. "A family on a road trip stops at one of these places. They can order fried chicken, sandwiches, maybe even burgers, and be back on the road in less than twenty minutes. Or workers on their lunch break grab a quick meal without worrying about being late getting back."

Amber nodded, clearly impressed. "It sounds like it could change the way people think about eating out. But wouldn’t it be expensive to set up these restaurants?"

"It would require an initial investment, yes," Matthew admitted. "But the returns could be enormous. Once the system is in place, it’s efficient. A smaller menu means less waste, and faster service means more customers can be served in a day."

Amber leaned closer, her curiosity piqued. "And what about the people working there? How would you make sure they’re not overwhelmed?"

"We’d design the kitchen layout to maximize efficiency," Matthew explained. "Each worker would have a specific task—one person frying chicken, another assembling sandwiches, and so on. Training would be simple, so anyone could learn the job quickly."

Amber smiled, clearly impressed. "You’ve really thought this through."

"I have," Matthew admitted. "It’s an idea that’s been in the back of my mind for a while, but I think now is the right time to make it happen. With electricity becoming more widespread, we could even introduce electric fryers and grills to make the process faster and safer." @@novelbin@@

By the time the train pulled into Newport, Amber was fully on board with the idea. As they rode in the car toward Hillcrest Estate, the conversation continued, each of them building on the other’s ideas.

Amber suggested incorporating a play area for children, making it a place where families could relax together. Matthew considered offering meal deals to make it even more appealing to budget-conscious customers.

"You know, Matthew," Amber said as they approached the house, "this could be one of your greatest contributions yet. It’s not just about technology—it’s about connecting with people’s everyday lives."

Matthew smiled, taking her hand. "That’s the goal, Amber. To make life better, one step at a time."

As they stepped into the warmth of Hillcrest Estate, Matthew’s mind was already racing with plans. He envisioned the first fast food restaurant opening in Amsterdam, a simple yet inviting space that would set the standard for a new era in dining.

That night, as Amber rested after their long day, Matthew stayed up in his study, sketching designs for the restaurant and outlining the steps needed to bring his vision to life. He thought about the name, the branding, and the menu, jotting down ideas for dishes like fried chicken, burgers, and milkshakes.

He knew it wouldn’t be easy. Convincing people to embrace such a new concept would take effort, and there would be challenges in sourcing ingredients, training staff, and managing operations. But if there was one thing Matthew had learned, it was that innovation required risk.

As the clock struck midnight, Matthew leaned back in his chair, looking at the sketches spread across his desk. The idea was ambitious, but he was confident that it could work. After all, the greatest ideas often started with a simple thought—and a willingness to make it real.