Okay, so sometimes i actually read through Yahoo "news stories" (if that's what they should even be called).

Well today I got adventurous and decided to go international (of course)! I went to Australia's yahoo page... which I actually didn't do very much while actually in australia previously only because the internet was pretty slow and the page usually wouldn't load in time before my curiosity got bored... oh well.

Anyway, I found an article about food brands from here (USA) that didn't quite make it very well over there(Aus). We all know that anything that says “food” grabs my interest so here we go...

Before i start I'd just like to say that the US and Australia are 2 totally different places. They both have awesome people, fun places and different food choices. Honestly its the same within the States too. Our food is totally different region to region as well as our style, our manors and the way we interact with each other.

And remember while reading this... it is strictly food and not personal... And i’m not comparing what one place has or doesn’t... and those who know me well know I'm a big foody and have yum opinions on food. Take it with a grain of salt. BAhahaha (get it)

Here's the site to check out the Oz article:

http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/food/galleries/photo/-/8267178/food-brands-that-failed/8267179/

Now...

Here's my view on it:

1. Krispy Kreme: Okay, so I absolutely love Krispy Kreme. Its probably a good thing there isn't one very close to my house because I can almost promise if the "HOT" sign were on I'd be in there so fast I might run you over, or karate chop you or something that requires great skill to get you outta muh way. The last time i had Krispy Kreme i went with my family on a whim one night. The "HOT" sign just happened to be on... yeah... we got some... and they disappeared(into our stomachs). I seriously downed mine so fast i wondered if I had actually eaten them or if it was just a dream. Since the Krispy K bidness in Aus isn't so hot I'm wondering how often they actually turned their "HOT" sign on.

2. Starbucks: An American staple! You can't go a mile without seeing a Starbucks. In fact most American's can't seem to go a day without their starbucks coffee. I admit... I love me some coffee and have found myself to have been an addict at one point in my lifetime. Starbucks has always been there for me when I was on break from work around the corner and wanted a little pick me up or if I just wanted to hang out with a friend or 2 and grab a cup of joe... or 2. I usually drink my coffee thick, strong and black... but when at Starbucks I can't go wrong with a mocha or a peppermint mocha (a seasonal favorite in which I surprisingly learnt a couple years back is served all year round) . My only thought for why this big name franchise here didn't make it over there is I reckon they just aren't as big of coffee drinkers as we are? Nothing wrong with that. In fact I like a cuppa tea too. Usually my drink of choice before a good nights slumber.

3. Hooters: I'm sorry... but this place shouldn't be alive here in the States either. Is this really a restaurant we want representing our food culture? Or our culture in general?

4. Hard Rock Cafe: Okay, I kind of agree with Ozzie Ozzie on this one... Their burgers and stuff aren't bad but aren't the best, the atmosphere is fun but only awesome if you're with awesome people and yeah its over priced in my bood... Especially I bet being that Australia... it's usually twice as pricey. I can imagine why this one didn't make it.

5. Pizza Franchises such as Pizza Hut: Now... This one bugs me... only because I love pizza AND I had Dominos while in Australia and it was terrible! It was nothing like here. The pizzas were small and not at all worth what you pay for. Even the Dominos in India was better than the one in Australia. I also tried a local pizza joint too in AUS and I wasn't impressed with it either. Here in the States we have lots of awesome little Italian joints that do Pizza even better than the franchises like Dominos and Pizza Hut. My family usually goes for Italian Bistro... a really awesome little place in our little town. BEST! There are also some really amazing Pizza places in the City that I very much enjoy and don’t mind at all going to. I'm afraid the little on what I've experienced... Australia's take on Pizza is totally different than ours. Not a bad thing... Just different... If you’re visiting Australia and really want Pizza I don’t know that you’ll find what you’re looking for... But I haven’t explored it enough to know... So maybe next time I’ll find it... But I’m totally up to a new take and experience.

6. Taco Bell: It didn’t make it... Sad face. Its not even real Mexican food! But when in a rush or needing a cheaper alternative its definitely a way to go. I remember eating Taco Bell in Guatemala... It was a bit different. Random Fact: Sour cream in all countries seems to taste very different and have a slightly different consitancy... hmm. If they had Taco Bell still in Australia I imagine I’d try and get some... often. This makes me want a taco bell chalupa real bad... With fire sauce.

7.Baskin Robins: I can’t vouch for BR. We grew up going to Braum’s. When in India my team went to Baskins but I was sick that day and wasn’t with them.

8. The Cookie Man Food Fran: I’ve never even heard of it... But I do love cookies.

9. Quiznos: I’ve only had it a couple of times... I guess when I spend money on food I prefer other foods over subs. There are many Sandwich joints here in the States. McAlister’s is probably a better option I’m guessing? But apparently in this case it wasn’t about people not going... It was legal issues?

10. Sizzler: Have I heard of this place? Did we ever have one around these parts? I’ve never been. Bad break for these guys though.

So that’s my evaluation of the failed American brands in Oz...

I do want to note though that there have been some successful ones too...

Such as McDonald’s (no judgy on McD capeesh!?!), KFC, Hungry Jacks (AKA Burger King) and Subway... Just to name some that I know of.

We do food differently. That’s awesome. It makes us different places and that’s why people travel... To experience new places and new varieties of things... To get away from the typical. But I also understand the desire of while being so far away from home wishing you had a piece of it... And for me food is usually the best way to be reminded of home... Even crap fast food! Hahaha