There’s nothing like a quick hot meal from your favorite fast food joint to hit the spot when you’re hungry. Several chains in the US have been serving up their signature dishes for decades—some for nearly a century. Many began from humble beginnings and have transformed into global powerhouses over time. Take a look at some of the oldest fast-food chains in America.
Nathan’s Famous – 1916
Nathan’s Famous, founded in 1916 by Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker, began as a small hot dog stand on Coney Island, New York. Handwerker sold his hot dogs for just five cents each, drastically undercutting his competitors and, naturally, causing his business to gain popularity. The business quickly expanded from a single stand to several locations across the US and even internationally. However, the Coney Island location maintains its nostalgic charm as the start of it all.
A&W – 1919
A&W, established in 1919 by Roy W. Allen in Lodi, California, began as a simple root beer stand to help quench the thirst of returning World War I soldiers. The root beer, which was made using a secret blend of herbs, spices, and berries, became a massive hit among its patrons. The success prompted Allen to partner with his employee, Frank Wright, and expand the brand, aptly naming it A&W (which stands for Allen & Wright). Nowadays, the franchise continues to serve its iconic root beer, partnering it with other American fast food favorites such as burgers, hot dogs, and more.
White Castle – 1921
White Castle, founded in 1921 by Billy Ingram and Walter Anderson in Wichita, Kansas, is often credited as the pioneer of the fast food hamburger chain in America. The business is best known for its small, square-shaped burgers, called “sliders,” which originally sold for just five cents each. The restaurant’s unique design as white porcelain buildings with a castle-like façade, gave them a signature look, while their use of standardized cooking methods and a centralized meat supply ultimately set the blueprint for the modern fast food industry.
KFC – 1930
KFC, originally known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, was founded in 1930 by Harland Sanders in Corbin, Kentucky. Sanders, who began selling fried chicken from a roadside restaurant during the Great Depression, perfected his unique blend of 11 herbs and spices, which ultimately became the cornerstone of KFC’s signature flavor. In 1952, thanks to the restaurant’s soaring popularity, he began franchising the brand. Unsurprisingly, KFC expanded rapidly, making it one of the first fast food chains to go international, with locations outside of the US, including Canada, the UK, China, and more!
McDonald’s – 1940
McDonald’s was founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California. It started out as a small drive-in restaurant that featured a simple menu of burgers, fries, and soft drinks. In 1948, the brothers introduced the “Speedee Service System“, which placed emphasis on efficiency, uniformity, and fast service. Not long afterward, in 1954, milkshake machine salesman, Ray Kroc, partnered with the brothers, eventually purchasing the company in its entirety. Kroc grew McDonald’s into one of the world’s largest and most recognized fast food chains, transforming it into a global franchise empire spanning more than 38,000 locations in over 100 countries.
Dairy Queen – 1940
Dairy Queen was founded in 1940 by John Fremont McCullough and his son Alex in Joliet, Illinois. They, along with their business partner Sherb Noble, opened the first Dairy Queen store, offering soft-serve cones, sundaes, and milkshakes. As soft-serve ice cream was a novel product, their innovative dessert became an instant success. This allowed the business to rapidly expand across the United States. Dairy Queen distinguished itself with its signature curl on top of every cone, which became a hallmark of the brand. Eventually, the business branched out beyond sweet treats, offering fast food items such as burgers and fries.
Chick-Fil-A – 1946
Chick-fil-A, founded in 1946 by S. Truett Cathy in Hapeville, Georgia, began as a small diner called the Dwarf Grill, where Cathy served a simple yet flavorful chicken sandwich. The sandwich’s popularity led Cathy to establish Chick-fil-A as a standalone fast-food chain in 1967, with the opening of the first restaurant in Atlanta’s Greenbriar Mall. The restaurant was set apart from its competitors thanks to its high-quality ingredients and exceptional customer service. Additionally, the company would close on Sundays to give its employees a day of rest, a tradition that the business maintains to this day.
Dunkin’ – 1948
Dunkin’ Donuts was founded in 1948 by William Rosenberg in Quincy, Massachusetts, originally under the name “Open Kettle.” Capitalizing on the growing coffee culture, Rosenburg changed the name of the business to Dunkin’ Donuts in 1950 to emphasize their focus on quality coffee and affordable donuts. As they broadened their menu, the company rebranded in 2018 to Dunkin’ to reflect their more wide-spanning menu, which includes breakfast items, sandwiches, and more.
In-N-Out – 1948
In-N-Out Burger was founded in 1948 by Harry and Esther Snyder in Baldwin Park, California, as the first drive-thru hamburger stand in the state, allowing customers to order from the comfort of their cars through a two-way speaker system. Over the years, the company has earned a loyal fan base and a cult-like following, allowing them to expand beyond a single store. Now located over several states in the western US, In-N-Out maintains its family ownership, which helps to maintain consistency across its locations.
Whataburger – 1950
Whataburger was founded in 1950 by Harmon Dobson and Paul Burton in Corpus Christi, Texas, with a simple goal: to serve a burger so big and delicious that customers would cry out, “What a burger!” after taking their first bite. The original Whataburger featured a five-inch bun, larger than the standard size at the time, and a quarter-pound beef patty topped with fresh ingredients. Not only known for its food, the restaurant also became known for its distinctive A-frame buildings and orange-and-white striped roofs, which give it a nostalgic charm and certainly set it apart from its competitors.
Jack In The Box – 1951
Jack in the Box was founded in 1951 by Robert O. Peterson in San Diego, California, as one of the first drive-thru restaurants to feature an innovative intercom system for ordering. Its signature item, the Jumbo Jack burger, became a standout favorite on the menu, and the chain quickly expanded throughout California and the western United States. The business gained a reputation for its quirky branding and playful mascot, Jack, who has since become an iconic figure in fast food marketing.
Sonic – 1953
Sonic, originally known as “Top Hat Drive-In,” was founded in 1953 by Troy Smith in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Smith’s vision was to create a unique dining experience where customers could enjoy food from the comfort of their cars, served by carhops on roller skates. After discovering a radio intercom system that allowed customers to place orders directly from their vehicles, Smith rebranded the restaurant as Sonic, with the slogan “Service at the Speed of Sound.” To this day, the business maintains its distinctive car shop service, providing a unique experience for customers alongside quality food.
Burger King – 1954
Burger King was founded in 1954 by James McLamore and David Edgerton in Miami, Florida, with the goal of offering flame-grilled burgers at affordable prices. Originally named “Insta-Burger King,” the restaurant quickly gained popularity for its signature cooking method, which gave the burgers a distinct, smoky flavor. In 1957, Burger King introduced the Whopper, its flagship sandwich, which became an instant hit and remains one of the most iconic items in the fast-food industry. Over the years, Burger King has grown to become one of the largest fast-food chains in the world, with thousands of locations across more than 100 countries.
Pizza Hut – 1958
Pizza Hut was founded in 1958 by brothers Dan and Frank Carney in Wichita, Kansas. They started the business with a modest $600 loan from their mother and a simple idea: to offer delicious, quality pizza in a family-friendly atmosphere. The first Pizza Hut was a small, red-roofed building with just 25 seats, but its unique approach to dining quickly set it apart. The Carneys’ emphasis on dine-in service and their innovative pan pizza helped the restaurant gain popularity, and within a year, they began franchising. Over the decades, Pizza Hut has grown into the world’s largest pizza chain, with thousands of locations worldwide.
Little Caesars – 1959
Little Caesars was founded in 1959 by Mike Ilitch and his wife, Marian Ilitch, in Garden City, Michigan, and was originally called “Little Caesar’s Pizza Treat.” In 1979, the brand became known for its iconic “Pizza! Pizza!” slogan, which promoted the sale of two pizzas for the price of one. This was a groundbreaking offer that helped solidify the business’s reputation for value and convenience. Over the years, Little Caesars introduced several innovations that further set it apart, such as the Hot-N-Ready model launched in 2004, which offers customers pre-made pizzas ready for immediate pickup without the need to order in advance.
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All this talk of fast food is making us hungry!