Timeline

Fast Food Chains Timeline: Who Came First?

Fast food has a family tree. White Castle proved the model, the McDonald brothers perfected the kitchen, and every generation since has added a twist, from delivery to fast casual.

Dates are the opening of the first restaurant or the business that became the chain.

The red and white 1950s style McDonald's museum building in Des Plaines, Illinois

The former McDonald's Store #1 museum, Des Plaines: Jerry Huddleston from Hampton, Minnesota, US, CC BY 2.0

1921
White Castle
Wichita, Kansas. First fast food hamburger chain.
1937
Krispy Kreme
Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Yeast-raised Original Glazed.
1940
McDonald's
San Bernardino, California. Speedee Service System from 1948.
1946
Chick-fil-A (Dwarf Grill)
Hapeville, Georgia. Chicken sandwich in the early 1960s.
1948
In-N-Out Burger
Baldwin Park, California. Early two-way speaker drive-thru.
1948
Dunkin' (Open Kettle)
Quincy, Massachusetts. Renamed Dunkin' Donuts in 1950.
1952
KFC (first franchise)
Salt Lake City, Utah. Colonel Sanders' recipe.
1953
Sonic (Top Hat Drive-In)
Shawnee, Oklahoma. Drive-in with carhops.
1954
Burger King (Insta-Burger King)
Miami area, Florida. The Whopper from 1957.
1958
Pizza Hut
Wichita, Kansas. Started by two brothers.
1960
Domino's (DomiNick's)
Ypsilanti, Michigan. Delivery pioneer.
1962
Taco Bell
Downey, California. Hard-shell tacos for the masses.
1965
Subway
Bridgeport, Connecticut. Began as Pete's Super Submarines.
1969
Wendy's
Columbus, Ohio. Square patties, pick-up window 1970.
1971
Starbucks
Seattle, Washington. Coffee bean shop at first.
1972
Popeyes
Arabi, Louisiana. Spicy New Orleans-style chicken.
1978
Jollibee
Quezon City, Philippines. Began as an ice cream parlour in 1975.
1986
Five Guys
Arlington, Virginia. Fresh-cut fries, free peanuts.
1993
Chipotle
Denver, Colorado. Fast casual pioneer.
2001
Shake Shack
New York City. Hot dog cart in Madison Square Park.