The 10 Weirdest Fast Food Chain Names & The 10 Best That Make Perfect Sense
Dive Into These Fast Food Names
Most fast food restaurants are familiar to Americans, but have you really taken the time to think about their names? Because when you dive into what's out there in the fast food world, you'd be surprised by how little makes sense. Here are 10 fast food chain names that might leave you scratching your head, and 10 that work perfectly for the brand.
1. Jollibee
Yes, Jollibee sounds exceptionally bright and cheerful, but it doesn't exactly make you think of fast food when you don't get context. You might even be wondering what a "jolly bee" is. And when you finally learn that it's a fried chicken fast food chain, you'll realize you'd never have been able to put two and two together on your own.
2. Bojangles
Sounding more like a musical instrument than a fast food chain, we won't deny Bojangles has ton of personality, we're just saying it doesn't make much sense. Once you learn about its delicious biscuits and fried chicken, it certainly leaves an impact, but the name and food it serves don't exactly match still.
3. Zaxby's
Now here's a fast food establishment that sounds like catchy and unique was the entire focus of the name. Zaxby's definitely sounds modern and distinctive, but it doesn't offer much help when you're trying to guess what's on the menu. To a first-time customer, it could be anything from a tech store to a gaming brand.
4. Culver's
Culver's isn't really bizarre by any means, but it's definitely not clear either. It sits in this grey area of fast food chains that use names, but it's worse off than McDonald's or Wendy's because their name of choice is so unheard of. Nothing about it suggests it would sell delicious butter burgers or frozen custard.
Iowahwyman at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
5. Checkers
When you hear the word "checkers," we're almost certain the board game is the first thing that comes to mind. And when you're competing against something that iconic, it's just going to shoot you out of the water. It's a name that's so loosely connected to food, burgers and fries are likely the last thing you picture.
6. Five Guys
Everyone loves the food served at Five Guys, but that doesn't mean the name makes any sense. Use it in a sentence and you'll see just how confusing it can be to someone who's never heard of it before! It's hard to see the inspiration behind the name when it's so far off from what we imagine fast food to be.
7. Domino's
Another fast food name inspired by a game, Domino's is known for it's delicious and affordable pizza, but the name itself leaves more to be desired. What do dominoes and pizza have in common anyway?
8. Hardee's
Sounding much more like a home improvement store rather than a fast food chain, Hardee's name leaves behind a lot of question marks. It tells you nothing about the food they serve, and to new customers, it can be a harder sell.
9. White Castle
White Castle simply doesn't really suit the fast food world; not when it sounds like it could be an amazing name for a theme park! The name implies some sort of medieval theme, which can be confusing when the food they serve is so modern and convenient.
10. Wienerschnitzel
For a spot that sells hot dogs, we're surprised this chain didn't opt for a much more recognizable name. Wienerschnitzel can look really intimidating to first-time customers, but having trouble pronouncing the name is one thing, not knowing what's on the menu is another.
Coolcaesar at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
1. In-N-Out Burger
Fast food is all about convenience and speed, so what better name than In-N-Out to suggest you'll be "in and out" in no time? It fits the brand perfectly, and when you toss in that their burgers are absolutely delicious, you've got a winning combo right here.
2. Panda Express
Another smart fast food name is Panda Express because it fits both the tone and genre immediately. Panda signals a broadly Chinese-inspired identity, while express suggests speed and efficiency once again. The whole brand is clean, creative, and most importantly, recognizable.
3. KFC
Short for Kentucky Fried Chicken, KFC's name is both easy to remember, easy to identify, and catchy when it's shortened to an abbreviation. It carries such a strong identity in the fried chicken fast food world, making this name a smart because it sounds modern yet direct.
4. Burger King
Burger King is about as direct as a fast food name can be. You know the core product immediately, and the word "king" adds a nice touch of confidence. It doesn't waste time trying to sound clever, which is one reason it has stayed so recognizable for so long.
5. Dairy Queen
Just like Burger King, Dairy Queen nails their brand name in the same way. With the word "dairy," you're immediately expecting ice cream and frozen treats, while "queen" emphasizes quality and taste. They certainly nailed the hammer on the head with this one.
Florida Keys--Public Libraries from Key West, Fla., USA on Wikimedia
6. Taco Bell
Simple, catchy, and easy to understand in seconds, Taco Bell tells you it's time for some Mexican-inspired fast food. The name rolls off the tongue so effortlessly, and in a burger-centric industry, the word "taco" immediately stands out from the rest.
7. Pizza Hut
You know exactly what you're getting into with a name like Pizza Hut. Not only do you know what kind of fast food they're selling right off the bat, the brand feels more casual and approachable. There's a relaxed tone to Pizza Hut that perfectly fits the fast food vibe you'd expect.
8. Shake Shack
Now that's one fun alliteration! Shake Shack just sounds like a place you'd want to eat at. It brings this fun and lively energy that perfectly matches a fast food spot selling burgers, shakes, and fries.
9. Subway
Subway is a smart name for two reasons: one, it reminds you of transit which suggests speed, and two, it's a chain that literally sells subs and a "make-it-your-way" concept. It's a practical name that fits exactly what the brand is offering you!
10. Dunkin' Donuts
Last but not least, Dunkin' Donuts carries such energetic energy, which is ideal for a chain that's selling donuts and coffee. You want that kind of wake up call first thing in the morning anyway! The name is fun to say with its double D words, but it's also practical and clear.
