Golden Buns And Greasy Roots
Fast food didn’t start with drive-thrus and dollar menus. Some of America’s iconic chains have served burgers and shakes for over a century. These 20 old-school spots have shaped the fast-food industry for decades and influenced how we eat on the go. Most have garnered recognition over the years and are still fully functional despite being around for too long. Let’s dig into the originals.
1. Nathan's Famous (1916)
In 1916, Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker opened a hot dog stand on Coney Island, New York, selling Franks for just five cents—half the price of his competitors. What helped build even better credibility was his wife's secret spice recipe and savvy marketing, which included hiring actors to pose as customers.
Chepry 💬 (Andrzej Barabasz) 📷 🇵🇱 on Wikimedia
2. A&W Restaurants (1919)
Before the term "fast food" was coined, Roy W. Allen put up a root beer stand in Lodi, California, in 1919. Partnering with Frank Wright, they established A&W, combining their initials. A&W became known for its frosty mugs of root beer and was among the first to franchise.
3. White Castle (1921)
In 1921, Wichita, Kansas, witnessed the opening of White Castle, founded by Billy Ingram and Walter Anderson. They introduced the world to the "slider," a small, square hamburger that became their signature item. White Castle is credited as the first fast-food hamburger chain globally.
4. Kewpee Hamburgers (1923)
Founded in Flint, Michigan, Kewpee is the second-oldest hamburger company in the United States. Named after the Kewpie doll, it was among the first to offer curbside service, a precursor to the modern drive-thru. Though it has only a few locations today, Kewpee's influence on fast food is undeniable.
The Wendy's before Wendy's!? (Kewpee Restaurant Lima, OH) by J5 Studios
5. White Tower (1926)
Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by John and Thomas Saxe, White Tower mirrored White Castle's model with its white, fortress-like buildings. At its peak in the 1950s, this chain had over 230 locations across the U.S., offering affordable hamburgers and coffee.
6. KFC (1930)
Amid the Great Depression, Harland Sanders began serving his secret-recipe fried chicken at a roadside restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, in 1930. His blend of 11 herbs and spices became legendary and led to the establishment of Kentucky Fried Chicken, now known globally as KFC.
7. Dee's Drive-In (1932)
Dee Frederick Anderson opened the first Dee's Restaurant in 1932 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Inspired by California's drive-ins, he launched Dee's Drive-In in 1954, featuring carhops and a clown mascot. At its full swing, Dee's had 53 locations, becoming a Utah cultural landmark before being sold to Hardee's.
Dee's Drive Inn - KY Life by theRob
8. Krystal (1932)
Krystal was launched in Chattanooga, Tennessee, by Rody Davenport Jr. and J. Glenn Sherrill during the Great Depression. It offered small, square hamburgers. The chain emphasized cleanliness and affordability and soon became a Southern favorite.
Cculber007 at English Wikipedia. on Wikimedia
9. Dairy Queen (1940)
On June 22, 1940, Sherb Noble opened the first Dairy Queen in Joliet, Illinois. Introducing soft-serve ice cream to the masses, DQ quickly turned into a dessert destination. Over the years, its menu expanded to include hot food items, but its Blizzard treats remain iconic.
10. McDonald's (1940)
Brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald set up McDonald's Bar-B-Q in San Bernardino, California, in 1940. By 1948, they streamlined their menu to focus on hamburgers, fries, and shakes, pioneering the "Speedee Service System." This innovation laid the groundwork for modern fast food.
11. Carl's Jr. (1941)
Carl Karcher started with a hot dog cart in Los Angeles in 1941, later expanding to a full-service restaurant and launching Carl’s Jr. in 1956. Due to its unique charbroiled burgers, the brand gained popularity across the West Coast. Today, Carl’s Jr. operates under CKE Restaurants, which also owns Hardee’s.
12. Chick-fil-A (1946)
What began as the Dwarf Grill in Hapeville, Georgia, eventually evolved into Chick-fil-A. Founded by Truett Cathy, the brand gained a loyal following for its signature chicken sandwiches and standout service. It now ranks as the third-largest restaurant chain in the U.S., with over 3,200 locations.
13. In-N-Out Burger (1948)
Harry and Esther Snyder opened the first In-N-Out Burger in Baldwin Park, California. It was California's first drive-thru hamburger stand, which emphasized fresh ingredients and a simple menu. Because of their consistently high-quality items, they have a big, loyal customer base today.
14. Whataburger (1950)
On August 8, 1950, Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger in Corpus Christi, Texas. His goal was to serve a burger so big it took two hands to hold and so good that customers would exclaim, "What a burger!" The brand now operates hundreds of locations across the South and Southwest and is loved for its made-to-order burgers.
Jonesdr77 at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia
15. Jack In The Box (1951)
Robert O. Peterson introduced Jack in the Box in San Diego, California. It was one of the first fast-food chains to use an intercom system for drive-thru orders, revolutionizing service speed. The brand's quirky mascot, Jack Box, and diverse menu have kept it differentiated.
16. Church's Chicken (1952)
Founded by George W. Church Sr. in San Antonio, Texas, Church's Chicken started as a small walk-up establishment selling fried chicken. Currently, it has expanded globally, operating over 1,400 locations in 22 countries. Customers choose Church's Chicken for its signature crispy chicken and honey-butter biscuits.
Clotee Pridgen Allochuku from Sherman Oaks, California, United States on Wikimedia
17. Sonic Drive-In (1953)
Originally named Top Hat Drive-In, Sonic was founded by Troy Smith in Shawnee, Oklahoma, in 1953. This fast food chain introduced the innovative concept of carhops on roller skates by delivering orders to customers' cars and enhancing the drive-in experience.
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18. Burger King (1954)
Founded in Miami, Florida, by James McLamore and David Edgerton, Burger King introduced the world to the flame-grilled Whopper. With its “Have it your way” slogan, the chain encouraged burger customization, setting itself apart from competitors. Today, Burger King operates thousands of locations across the globe.
19. Lum's (1956)
Originating in Miami Beach, Florida, Lum's was founded by brothers Stuart and Clifford Perlman. The chain became popular for its hot dogs steamed in beer, a unique offering that set it apart. At its peak, Lum's operated approximately 400 locations nationwide.
20. Blimpie (1964)
Blimpie was founded by Tony Conza, Peter Decarlo, and Angelo Baldassare. They introduced freshly sliced submarine sandwiches. Named after their blimp-shaped subs, Blimpie expanded rapidly, reaching over 2,000 locations by the 1990s. However, just about 100 outlets remain now—23 of them still in New Jersey.
Chris Rycroft from Madison, Wisconsin, United States on Wikimedia
