The Origins of 8 Beloved Fast Food Chains: Their FirstLocations Revealed

McDonald’s

"The Authentic McDonald's," the slogan at the McDonald's #1 Store Museum in Des Plaines, Illinois, might be misleading as it actually showcases only a replica—not of the original outlet but rather of the ninth one. The initial eatery was launched by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California, back in 1940, offering hamburgers priced at 15 cents each. Although this site ceased operations long ago, it has been restored and stands today home to a museum paying tribute to those initial Golden Arches. Make sure not to overlook these additional items. 75 astounding facts about McDonald’s .

Burger King

Before Burger King came into existence, there was Insta-Burger King In 1954, the quick-service restaurant in Miami was selling burgers and milkshakes for only 18 cents each with aspirations similar to those of McDonald’s. During this period, Insta-Burger King acquired an additional investor and abbreviated their name to Burger King. Although they may not have rivaled McDonald’s dominance, Burger King firmly established themselves as a formidable contender in the market.

Starbucks

The first Starbucks outlet will resonate with any avid coffee enthusiast. Pike Place Market , named after its renowned coffee blend. The company remained in one location within the Seattle market for seven years until relocating in 1977; however, even this "new" site continues to honor its origins. Similar to many other brands, Starbucks has modified its logo through the years, yet at Pike Place, you can still find traces of its initial brown logo. Below are 13 Other Things a Starbucks Barista Won't Disclose .

Kentucky Fried Chicken

Paradoxically, KFC did not originate in Kentucky as one might expect—it first opened its doors In Salt Lake City, Utah, Colonel Harland Sanders (who is indeed genuine) happened to pass through and visited the proprietor of the Harman Café. They had previously crossed paths at a restaurant convention the prior year. The Colonel from Kentucky requested permission to include his signature chicken dish on the café’s menu, which the owner gladly permitted. This led to their fried chicken becoming quite popular, thus cementing this momentous chapter in culinary history. Although the initial structure has been demolished, the site retains a Harman Café sign and preserves mementos within its walls. Discover more about it here: [Link] the secret behind KFC's extra crispy chicken .

Pizza Hut

The initial Pizza Hut didn't resemble a hut at all, yet it surely wasn't as grand as a mansion. Back in 1958, the founding siblings—Dan and Frank Carney—were still studying at Wichita State University. A suggestion from one of their landlords to transform an adjacent bar into a pizzeria caught their attention, leading them to accept her proposal. They then put up a sign for this modest 500-square-foot brick structure. could fit only eight characters , and five of them had to spell "p-i-z-z-a"—so they opted for “hut” instead. Once the brothers grew too big for their original small space, the building was relocated to the WSU campus, where it has since been transformed into a Pizza Hut museum.

Dunkin’ Donuts

In 1950, the family-run doughnut store called Open Kettle decided to rename itself as Dunkin' Donuts—thus sparking a significant change in the industry. At that time, customers would pay ten cents for their coffee and had just two options available: regular or decaf. This transformation began at their first outlet located in Quincy, Massachusetts. got a makeover In 2011, they returned to the nostalgic origins of the place. With the styled signage and the counter-side stools, the decor aims to transport you back in history. Discover more about it. 13 Things Dunkin' Donuts Employees Want You to Know .

Tim Hortons

You have to acknowledge that the story of Tim Hortons is quite legendary. In 1964, ex-NHL player Tom Horton chose to launch a doughnut store in Canada, offering both pastries and coffee at only ten cents apiece. original building In Hamilton, Ontario, the building has been demolished, but you can still visit for your coffee fix—actually, the intersection at Ottawa Street is referred to as Tim Hortons Way—and explore the on-site museum during your visit.

Bojangles’

When Bojangles' founders, Richard Thomas and Jack Fulk, first opened their doors, they certainly had a knack for navigating the ins and outs of the quick-service restaurant scene. in 1977 Thomas was the proud owner of several KFC franchise stores, while Fulk managed a Hardee’s outlet. Combine their expertise in fast-food operations, and what do you get? A booming chicken 'n' biscuits restaurant that has taken over the Southern market. Next, find out more about this phenomenon. 33 Secrets Your Fast Food Employee Isn’t Revealing To You .