Timeless Flavors, Surprising Histories
Fast food might feel like a modern invention, but many beloved chains have been serving up quick bites for nearly a century. These pioneers shaped how we eat on the go, with flavors that often surprise even the most devoted fans. If you're curious about the stories of these brands, here are 20 surprisingly old names in the fast food world.
1. White Castle (1921 – Wichita, Kansas)
Did you think fast food started with McDonald's? White Castle beat them to the punch by nearly two decades. This little slider joint kicked off the entire concept of fast food, way back in 1921. It's literally older than sliced bread, and it changed how America saw hamburgers forever.
2. A&W Restaurants (1919 – Lodi, California)
A&W didn't just serve frosty mugs of root beer—they served history. Kicking off in 1919, this was the first restaurant chain to franchise. It's also where the carhop service began to shine. Pull up, honk, and sip some Americana in a chilled glass.
3. Nathan's Famous (1916 – Coney Island, New York)
Starting out with just a five-cent hot dog cart over a century ago, Nathan's has long outgrown Coney Island. It's been slinging dogs since 1916, making it older than TV, bubble gum, and sliced Wonder Bread. Not bad for something that began with a nickel and a dream.
Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA on Wikimedia
4. Carl’s Jr. (1941 - Los Angeles)
Carl Karcher kicked things off with a hot dog cart in L.A., eventually opening Carl’s Jr. in 1945. Thanks to its juicy charbroiled burgers, it quickly became a West Coast favorite. Today, it’s part of CKE Restaurants, which also owns Hardee’s.
5. Chick-fil-A (1946 - Hapeville, Georgia)
Chick-fil-A started as the Dwarf Grill in Georgia, founded by Truett Cathy. Known for its classic chicken sandwich and famously polite service, it’s grown into a Southern staple gone national—with over 3,200 locations and a loyal fan base that’ll wait in any drive-thru line.
Nicolas Henderson from Coppell, Texas on Wikimedia
6. Krystal (1932 – Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Krystal came out swinging during the Great Depression with its signature tiny square burgers—hot, cheap, and consistent. It's often seen as the South's answer to White Castle but with its own loyal fan base and drive-thru swagger.
Cculber007 at English Wikipedia. on Wikimedia
7. Harold's Chicken (1950 – Chicago, Illinois)
If you know, you know. Harold's isn't just a chicken joint—it's a cultural staple in Chicago. Fried fresh to order and slathered in a mild sauce, this no-frills spot helped define fast-casual chicken in the Midwest long before the chicken sandwich wars began.
User:TonyTheTiger on Wikimedia
8. Dairy Queen (1940 – Joliet, Illinois)
Soft-serve didn't swirl its way into hearts by accident. Dairy Queen had a lot to do with it. Opening just before World War II, it introduced a creamier, colder side of fast food. From Dilly Bars to the iconic Blizzard Flip, this place is peak nostalgia.
9. KFC (1930 – North Corbin, Kentucky)
Colonel Sanders didn't start in a bucket—he started in a gas station kitchen. What began in rural Kentucky with a pressure fryer and a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices grew into one of the most recognized fast food names on earth.
10. McDonald's (1940 – San Bernardino, California)
Originally a humble burger stand by the McDonald brothers, everything changed when Ray Kroc stepped in. He streamlined the kitchen, turned the arches golden, and launched a global empire. Love it or hate it, fast food wouldn't exist the same way without it.
11. In-N-Out Burger (1948 – Baldwin Park, California)
In-N-Out installed a two-way intercom before that was even a thing. Add to that a stripped-down menu and squeaky-clean ingredients that fans treat like gospel. West Coast loyalty? Practically a birthright.
12. Whataburger (1950 – Corpus Christi, Texas)
Everything's bigger in Texas—including the burgers. Whataburger's founder wanted a burger so massive it made you say, "What a burger!" (yes, really). With a full-on customization setup long before fast casual was cool, this place became a Lone Star staple and a road trip essential.
Jonesdr77 at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia
13. Bob's Big Boy (1936 – Glendale, California)
Most people think the double-decker burger started with McDonald's. Surprise: it was Bob's Big Boy nearly two decades earlier. The brand launched in 1936, quietly shaping how we eat out long before fast food chains gained prominence. That grinning mascot has been around longer than your parents.
Tokumeigakarinoaoshima on Wikimedia
14. Wienerschnitzel (1961 – Wilmington, California)
Hot dogs aren't just ballpark fare, in fact, Wienerschnitzel made them a fast food genre. Launched in a tiny A-frame building, it's now the world's largest hot dog chain. And no, they don’t sell schnitzel. Just lots (and lots) of dogs, with chili, cheese, and zero shame.
15. Braum's (1968 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Braum's isn't just an ice cream shop—it's a vertically integrated dairy empire. They own the cows, the dairy, the bakery, and the store. That control means milk that's never trucked far and burgers made with fresher-than-fresh ingredients. Family-run and still proudly Oklahoman.
16. Church's Chicken (1952 – San Antonio, Texas)
Opened right across from the Alamo, Church's started strong with fried chicken and jalapeños, served fast and hot. It kept things simple and Southern, eventually expanding far beyond Texas. But at its core? It's still all about golden, crunchy chicken that means business.
17. Pizza Inn (1958 – Dallas, Texas)
Before delivery, pizza was an app away. Everyone loved Pizza Inn; it was casual and hit big in college towns and the South. Known for its buffets and pan-style pies, this was one of the first chains to introduce pizza into the fast-food fold.
Rsa182 at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia
18. Schlotzsky's (1971 – Austin, Texas)
Born from one sandwich, the "Original," a stacked-up deli number with meats, cheeses, and that signature sourdough bun. Schlotzsky's started out quirky (Austin-style) and stayed that way. It brought East Coast deli vibes to the South and turned one sandwich into a nationwide empire.
Schlotzskys at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
19. Roy Rogers (1968 – Falls Church, Virginia)
A cowboy actor put his name on it but Roy Rogers was more than a gimmick. It mixed burgers, fried chicken, and roast beef into one menu—basically, fast food's version of a three-way handshake. The big draw? The "Fixins Bar" where you dress your burger yourself.
Ser_Amantio_di_Nicolao on Wikimedia
20. Skyline Chili (1949 – Cincinnati, Ohio)
This isn't your typical chili—it's sweet and spiced with cinnamon. Skyline's Greek founder gave Ohio its quirkiest comfort food and locals never looked back. Love it or raise an eyebrow at it, Skyline Chili is pure regional devotion in a bowl.
