Earlier quoted context omitted.
That doesn't really make sense, it's like saying people want to be seen eating Big Macs. Starbucks isn't really a status symbol in the states, it is simply a guilty pleasure/luxury/drug to those who are addicted. They don't go to indies simply because it is not convenient (sbux is everywhere) and they know what they are getting. Believe me, would love to try an indie, but in my neighborhood, the only alternative is C…
It makes perfect sense, if being seen eating Big Macs were to become trendy then you would see more people eating Big Macs. It happens for all kinds of things in popular culture. Why do people buy the expensive famous name brand stuff when the no-name clothing would be just as good for their needs?
I grew up in a poor country. One Christmas Season, I took a part-time job at a bank's back office. The full-time employees would go to the McD across the street from the office building, and get a take-away. The journey cut their 60-minute lunch break by half. I remarked how expensive it was, but my colleague told me: "Remember how much they're making, they can probably afford it!"
:-)