The Big Franchise...

...also known as United States. Even after such a long time I'm still wondering how it can happen that no matter in which direction I drive I see an identical line-up of shops. Independent shops are very rare, especially in Central New Jersey. This Target here was just built - with half an hour driving distance to another one. Where is this going? I'm often reminded of a caricature I once saw in a newspaper, showing a couple sitting in their living room with an own Starbucks branch inside...