Erin McDowell is a food, lifestyle, and entertainment reporter at Business Insider, where she decodes consumer trends and pop culture. Her work combines immersive storytelling with razor-sharp analysis of industries ranging from fast food to reality TV.
After graduating from Elon University in 2019 with a degree in strategic communications and digital art, Erin began her career writing for outlets like V Magazine and Brides Magazine. Her pivot to food journalism at Business Insider allowed her to merge her knack for visual storytelling with a passion for culinary exploration. She joined the editorial partnerships team, contributing to Insider, MSN, Apple News, and Yahoo.
This article dissects the shifting dynamics between casual dining chains and fast-food giants. Erin analyzes menu innovations, pricing strategies, and consumer behavior to explain how brands like Chili’s are leveraging value meals to compete. Her interviews with industry experts reveal a broader trend of "menu democratization," where affordability meets quality. The piece underscores her ability to translate corporate tactics into relatable consumer insights.
Erin’s hands-on approach shines here as she taste-tests cheeseburgers nationwide, evaluating flavor, price, and portion size. Her methodology—documenting criteria like juiciness and bun integrity—adds rigor to the narrative. The article not only ranks burgers but also critiques the fast-food industry’s reliance on gimmicks over consistency. Readers praised her blend of humor and critique, making it a standout example of experiential journalism.
In this cultural critique, Erin traces the decline of The Bachelor through declining ratings and shifting audience values. She interviews media scholars and fans to explore how the show’s formulaic approach clashes with modern demands for authenticity. The article highlights her versatility in connecting entertainment trends to broader societal shifts.
Erin frequently covers how national chains adapt to economic pressures and consumer preferences. Pitches should highlight unique menu items, pricing strategies, or behind-the-scenes operational shifts. For example, her coverage of Applebee’s and IHOP’s hybrid restaurant model demonstrated her interest in experimental business tactics.
She excels in side-by-side evaluations of products or brands. Successful pitches might propose comparing emerging food trends (e.g., plant-based chicken tenders) across multiple chains, mirroring her approach to cheeseburger tastings.
Erin’s critique of The Bachelor reflects her interest in how legacy media franchises evolve. Pitches about reboots, fan communities, or generational shifts in entertainment consumption align with this focus.
While Erin’s specific accolades aren’t listed in public records, her prominence at Business Insider—a leading digital publication—speaks to her editorial impact. Her articles regularly achieve syndication across platforms like Yahoo Finance and MSN, amplifying her reach to millions of monthly readers.
Chain restaurants like Chili's are coming for fast-food giants in the latest bout of the value wars
I tried double cheeseburgers from 13 fast-food chains. I thought the best burger was also the best deal.
How 'The Bachelor' franchise went from a cultural phenomenon to a relic of reality television
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Food, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
