# Food Chain Magnate: The Ketchup Mechanism & Other Ideas

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2019
- **BGG Rating**: 8.8
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-6 (Best with: 3)
- **Duration**: 120-240 min
- **Weight**: 4.52 / 5
- **Designers**: Jeroen Doumen, Joris Wiersinga
- **Artists**: Iris de Haan, Kwanchai Moriya, Matt Paquette & Co., Sarah Kelly, Snow Conrad, Victor Maristane, Ynze Moedt
- **Publishers**: Splotter Spellen, Ediciones MasQueOca, Galápagos Jogos, Lucky Duck Games, MS Edizioni, New Games Order, LLC, One Moment Games, Portal Games
- **Categories**: Economic, Expansion for Base-game, Industry / Manufacturing
- **Mechanics**: Deck, Bag, and Pool Building, Modular Board, Network and Route Building, Open Drafting, Simultaneous Action Selection

## Verdict
Fans of Food Chain Magnate will love this expansion – ketchup, sushi, and new profit routes!More strategic optionsHigh‑quality componentsEasy learning curveLong playtimeHigh complexityHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
Food Chain Magnate: The Ketchup Mechanism & Other Ideas is the expansion that gives a boost to the already chaotic gameplay of Food Chain Magnate. If the base game already makes you smell freshly brewed coffee and hear the clatter of production machines, this expansion brings new pieces, new employee cards, new districts, and of course the long‑awaited variety of foods that will make the table even more colorful – kimchi, sushi, noodles, and, of course, ketchup. The goal remains the same: control the supply chain, build distribution networks, and rake in the profits, but now players have more strategic options thanks to the new milestones and the new marketing types, ranging from mass marketers to gourmet food critics. The modular board continues to be the heart of the game, but with additional tiles that allow for more complex and interesting routes. The Open Drafting and Simultaneous Action Selection mechanics add tension, as you don’t know what competitors will choose before revealing your own actions. The game supports 2 to 6 players and can last between 120 and 240 minutes, making it perfect for intense game nights. If you already master the base game and want to experiment with new profit routes, this expansion is what you need. With high‑quality components and an accessible learning curve, Food Chain Magnate: The Ketchup Mechanism & Other Ideas is an experience that blends deep strategy with guaranteed fun.

## How to Play
Objective of the Game  
In Food Chain Magnate: The Ketchup Mechanism & Other Ideas, players compete to build the most profitable fast-food empire by managing employees, marketing, and fulfilling customer demand. The goal is to earn the most money by strategically expanding your restaurant chain, hiring specialized staff, and adapting to new expansion modules like Kimchi, Sushi, Coffee, and Lobbyists. The game ends when the bank runs out of money during the Dinnertime phase, and the player with the most cash wins.  

Preparation (Setup)  
To set up the game:  
  
  Assemble the map using the provided map tiles (including expansion tiles if using modules like New Districts or Lobbyists).  
  Place the Milestone Board and attach any module-specific inserts (e.g., for Coffee or New Milestones).  
  Each player chooses a restaurant chain (e.g., Golden Duck, Xango) and takes their corresponding menu, restaurant miniatures, and starting employee cards.  
  Slot employee cards into the tray based on player count and active modules (e.g., replace Kitchen Trainees with Any Cook cards when using Sushi or Noodles).  
  Place food/drink tokens, marketing campaigns, and other components (e.g., Freeways for the Rural Marketeer module) nearby.  
  
Note: Some modules modify setup (e.g., Lobbyists require shuffling extra map tiles). Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção.  

Flow of the Game  
The game progresses in rounds, each with the following phases:  
  
  Order of Business: Players determine turn order (modified by Movie Stars if used).  
  Working 9-5: Players play employee cards to hire, train, or activate abilities (e.g., Lobbyists build roads, Fry Chefs unlock bonuses).  
  Dinnertime: Houses/apartments visit restaurants to buy food/drinks, prioritizing specialties like Sushi or Kimchi. Coffee is sold en route.  
  Marketing: Players place campaigns to generate demand (expanded by Mass Marketeers for extra phases).  
  Payday: Pay employee salaries (or use items with the First Beer Sold milestone).  
  Cleanup: Discard unsold items (except frozen ones), flip constructed roads, and reset for the next round.  
  

Actions and How to Play  
Key actions and modules:  
  
  Hiring/Training: Use CEO slots to recruit employees (e.g., Sushi Chefs, Rural Marketeers). Train them for upgraded abilities (e.g., Waitress → Movie Star).  
  Marketing: Place billboards, mailboxes, or Gourmet campaigns to create demand. Mass Marketeers add extra Marketing phases.  
  Construction: Lobbyists build roads/parks; parks double/triple item prices for adjacent houses.  
  Specialty Foods:  
      
      Kimchi: Houses prefer restaurants with it (discard 1 per sale).  
      Sushi: Only for houses with gardens; replaces all demand.  
      Noodles: Substitute for unmet demand.  
      Coffee: Sold automatically along routes to restaurants.  
      
    
  
Restrictions: Some items (e.g., Coffee, Kimchi) cannot be marketed or frozen. Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção.  

End of Game and Scoring  
The game ends when the bank cannot pay out during Dinnertime. Players count their cash:  
  
  Money earned from sales (including Fry Chef bonuses).  
  No points for unsold items, unused employees, or milestones.  
  Ties are broken by most remaining employees, then most restaurants.  
  

Tips to Win  
  
  Prioritize Milestones: Early milestones like First Coffee Sold or First Rural Marketeer Used provide lasting advantages.  
  Adapt to Modules: Use Kimchi or Sushi to override competition; Lobbyists can block rivals with roads.  
  Control Demand: Flood the Rural area or use Gourmet campaigns to target high-value houses with gardens.

## FAQ
### How many players can play with this expansion?
The expansion works with 2 to 6 players, just like the base game.

### How long does a game last with the expansion?
Between 120 and 240 minutes, depending on player count and experience.

### Does the expansion increase game complexity?
Yes, it adds new mechanics and strategic options, but the learning curve is friendly for those who know the base game.

### What new food types are introduced?
Kimchi, sushi, noodles, and of course ketchup, plus new marketing options.

### Do I need extra components for 6 players?
Yes, the expansion includes additional components to support up to 6 players.

### Is the expansion compatible with digital versions?
Yes, it is available on digital platforms that support the base game.

### What is the price of the expansion?
Prices vary, but it typically costs around $25–$30 USD or about R$410 in Brazil.

## Price Comparison
### Best Offers in Brazil
- **Amazon**: R$ 999,90 (https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B0F49H5C92?tag=bgbot26b-20&linkCode=as2)
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- **JOY JOY STORE**: R$ 743,99 (https://loja.joyjoycafe.com.br/food-chain-magnate-the-ketchup-mechanism-other-ideas-expansao?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **Cangaia Jogos**: R$ 743,99 (https://www.cangaiajogos.com.br/food-chain-magnate-the-ketchup-mechanism-amp-other-ideas?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **Javali Jogos**: R$ 759,99 (https://www.javalijogos.com.br/food-chain-magnate-the-ketchup-mechanism-other-ideas-expansao?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
  - See all on Compara Jogos: https://www.comparajogos.com.br/item/food-chain-magnate-the-ketchup-mechanism-other-ideas

### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 100.37 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6208512&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
  - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/28164/food-chain-magnate-the-ketchup-mechanism-other-ideas?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com