Since its inception in the 1950s, fast food has grown to cult status in America and the world, to become a $255 billion industry in the US today. Fast food aficionados pledge allegiance to a select few chains, and find their way back regularly. Fast food is inexpensive, very tasty, and filling too. Pizza, burgers, pasta, wings, ribs, doughnuts and bagels make the world go round and bring people who don’t even speak the same language together!
Whether it’s your daily coffee drink at Starbucks, or your light on the wallet but incredibly delicious breakfast from McDonald’s, everyone has a fast food chain without which life would be rather difficult. Here are some movers and movers of the fast food world.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is undoubtedly the largest food chain worldwide. It’s been around since 1940, founded by Richard and Maurice McDonald, and serves a wide variety of burgers, fries, rolls and wraps every time. Happy Food and McDonald’s party plan world famous. Their menu is personalized by location, and they have more than 35,000 locations worldwide. Their 2013 revenue is an incredible $28.1 billion.
Subway
Subway is another American-born fast food franchise, specializing in “submarine” sandwiches, also called subs, and salads. Founded in 1965, by Peter Buck and Fre DeLuca in Connecticut as “Super Pete’s Submarine”, Subway has grown rapidly and now spans 42,070 outlets in 107 countries.
It is the healthiest and offers dives, salads, baked goods, wraps and more. One of their most popular sandwiches is the Italian BMT, loaded with salami, ham and pepperoni.
Burger King
Founded in 1953 in Miami by two locals, Burger King started well but soon ran into financial problems. In 1954, two franchisees, David Edgerton, and James McLamore decided to buy out the entire company. Their signature “Whopper” burger was launched in 1957, and has been a huge hit ever since, dubbed “America’s Best Sandwich”. They currently have 13,667 branches in 95 countries.
KFC
Colonel Sanders’ Kentucky Fried Chicken has been around since 1930, and is the second largest restaurant chain in the world in terms of sales, after McDonald’s. One of the first chains to try international expansion, KFC now has 18,875 outlets in 118 countries. Chicken wings, french fries, hamburgers, milkshakes – you name it, they have it! Their super secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices is amazing and is one of the few things that attracts customers time and time again.
Starbucks
For most Americans, Starbucks is coffee and vice versa! Easily the largest coffeehouse chain in the world, started in Seattle in 1971, and soon grew into a monumental empire. It is home to the widest variety of coffees from around the world, and also serves sandwiches, confectionery, bagels and more. Open in more than 23,000 locations in 64 countries, generating nearly $15 billion in annual revenue.
Pizza Hut
You can’t think of pizza without thinking of Pizza Hut. It is the largest delivery and takeout chain in the world and was started by Frank and Dan Carney in 1958. They serve pizza, garlic bread, wings, desserts, pasta and more. They operate very successfully in 94 countries and own more than 11,000 restaurants.
Domino’s Pizza
The second largest pizza chain in America, and the largest chain in the world, Domino’s is synonymous with Pizza. Founded in Michigan in 1960 and rapidly growing to more than 11,000 outlets in 70 countries. They serve all the good stuff and are known for their signature “30 minute, or free delivery” scheme.
Taco Bell
The most successful Mexican cuisine restaurant chain, Taco Bell was founded by Glen Bell in 1954. What started as a food joint soon became a thriving restaurant business, and is now the world’s highest selling Tex-Mex chain, specializing in burritos, quesadillas , tacos etc. In 2013 alone, their revenue is close to $2 billion, and they have a fantastic 6,500 restaurants worldwide.
Dunkin Donuts
This is one of the most famous donut companies in the world. Founded in 1950 in Massachusetts by William Rosenberg. They serve up a variety of delicious treats, from munchkins and bagels to layered donuts, burgers and lots of baked goods. They are also known for their cheap but great coffee and their location-specific varieties of donuts. They are located in 33 countries and 11,000 restaurants today.
Milk Queen
DQ or Dairy Queen is a leading snack food chain, founded by McCullough and Noble in Illinois in 1940. They are world famous for their ice cream, sundaes, snacks and milkshakes, but also serve full meals with salads, burgers and hot dogs . Blizzard is their signature offering, and they have 5700 branches in 30 countries and growing.
Fast food is, was, and will always be a pleasure that you love to hate and hate to love. Each of these chains provide their customers with a slice of heaven, and their legacy will live on forever.
Andrew Thompson is a food blogger. She has traveled the world in search of exotic foods and delicious treats and loves to write and post pictures about her gastronomic conquests. He highly recommends https://www.mcdelivery.co.in/ for delicious food, delivered to your doorstep.
