I'm a reporter working on an article about the persistence of regional culture for the Ideas section of the Boston Globe and I thought that some of the people on this list serve might have some ideas. What sparked my article was a PhD thesis I recently read which argued that donut chain stores frequently have a strong regional identity. Thus Krisy Kreme is popular in the South, Dunkin Donut in the North Eastern United States and Tim Hortons in English Canada.
Here are some basic questions that this thesis sparked. Any thought people might have would be most appeciated.
1) Do you think it is true that ordinary people often find regional identity in the products of mass culture? If so, do you think Krispy Kreme in the south counts as a good example?
2) Aside from Krispy Kreme, can you think of any other chain store or franchise that has a strong regional identity in the South?
3) Do you think that the persistent of regional identity through consumer products and chain stores challenges the idea that culture in North America is becoming more homogenious?