Back in the 1920s, there were few chains to compete with, making White Castle a standout in the market. By the late '70s, though, the company had been sold. Burger King was the most popular fast food chain for a while, from about 1981 to 1984, while its commercials played on the televisions of families across the nation, and fans of quality burgers got there as fast as they could. if( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { The menu also now features the plant-based version of its famous, "crave-able" slider: the Impossible Slider. Originally called Chicken on the Run, it opened in 1972 to compete with Kentucky Fried Chicken. Still, Pizza Hut had a pretty great run for a while, there, and if you were born during that time frame, there's a good chance Pizza Hut was on your parents' minds. After that, it was pretty smooth sailing. Arbys was founded in 1964, with the idea to open a fast-food restaurant that served something other than hamburgers. The first Wendy's closed its doors in 2007, and the building has since been torn down. Ronald McDonald! Indeed, your great- and even great-great-grandparents may well have dined at many of the restaurants you enjoy today, and while the menus have grown and the orders may now be placed via app and delivered via Uber, the essence of American fast food remains the same even all these generations later: It's fast, it's affordable, and it's deliciousif not always healthy. This model proved to be very successful for many fast food chains, who were able to rapidly expand their reach by selling franchises all across the country (and sometimes even internationally). } The first Wendys opened in 1969 and dominated fast food into the 1970s. WebAug 25, 2020 - 1970s fast food may not have been as "sophisticated" as the restaurants we have today, but boy was it fun! By 1978, Wendy's had opened 1,000 restaurants, and by 1979, the chain had international outposts in both Hamilton, Ontario, and Munich. xhr.send(payload); However, Burger King always wanted to set itself apart and was originally called Insta-Burger King because it had the rights to a unique grill called the Insta-Broiler. Fast It might not be as popular as other joints, but it's still pretty beloved, and there was one year in particular when Wendy's was super popular. Today, there are hundreds of different fast food chains operating in America, each with its own unique menu offerings and target market. In the 1940s, McDonalds and Burger King both opened their doors for business. All Rights Reserved. Fast food is a part of American culture, with the industrys history dating back to the early 1900s. Learn how your comment data is processed. Originally called Petes Super Submarines, the sandwich shop was renamed Subway in 1968. But that's not all that made Taco Bell the place to eat during the 70s. See where Nathan's hot dogs fared in our hot dog taste test. After all, you can't reach tens of thousands of locations worldwide and billions of customers served if you never sell that first burger, slice, hot dog, or taco. He restructured the company and began to market more to children, to compete with McDonalds Happy Meals. The McDonald brothers started selling burgers in the 1940s. If you've ever thought to yourself that McDonald's and Burger King just seem too similar, you'd be right. At its beginning, Dominos was called DomiNicks. Thanks for visiting and for supporting a small business! Today, Sonic locations are still designed with a retro flair and are known for their use of carhops, some on roller skates. Read more: 11 Secrets Arby's Doesn't Want You to Know. Glen Bell opened his first Taco Bell restaurant in Downey, California, the same site as the oldest McDonald's in the country. The chain serves approximately 2 billion cups of hot and iced coffee every year around the world. The Columbus-based seafood chain peaked in the 1970s, when it boasted 826 stores around the country. So, it's not surprising that throughout the decade that followed, Wendy's gained a huge new surplus of followers. Also, check out: 7 Oldest Fast-Food Items Still Being Sold In America. Note: ClickAmericana.com features authentic historical information, and is not intended to represent current best practices on any topic, particularly with regard to health and safety, but also in terms of outdated cultural depictions and social values. Little Caesars pizzeria started with a blind date between Mike Ilitch and Marian Bayoff, who hit it off and were married in months. The famous Frosty was one of the original items on the menu in 1969, and is still one of Wendys best-selling products today. By 1989, two years after its expansion, Dairy Queen reached top status in the country. The front doors, also red, feature leaded glass windows in bright colors. Most people believe that the first fast food chain was White Castle. Founder S. Truett Cathy discovered a pressure-fryer that could cook chicken in the same amount of time it took to make a burger. Additionally, Minute Man was the first to offer a specialty meal for children, called the Magic Meal. So, if you were a 1987 baby, Dairy Queen was definitely making news as one of the most popular fast food chains around. Note: This article may feature affiliate links, and purchases made may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Perhaps one of the most American things in the world is fast food. Produced by Will Reid and Michael Simon Johnson. Clearly, this entire decade was all about the golden arches. By the late 1970s, there were more than 800 locations nationwide, but the number tumbled to just two in 2021, and then one in 2022. McDonald's operates about 14,000 restaurants in the U.S. and 22,000 abroad, and there are 15,000 KFC restaurants operating internationally and only about 4,000 within the U.S. EatThis.com is part of the Dotdash Meredith Publishing Family. While Wendy's growth has been slower than some of its competitors, clients became loyal customers of the chain because of its salad bar and its low burger prices, which undercut McDonald's by a significant margin. Halls marketing strategies were just as groundbreaking. Starbucks expanded to include over 3,500 more stores from 1990 to 2000, and it all started with that loyalty program. You can obtain a whole dinner at a fast food restaurant in a matter of minutes rather than having to spend time in your home and at the grocery store making a meal. But just about everyone knows A&W root beer, which can be bought canned or bottled just about anywhere. Restaurants advice every day. 8 spot on best fast-food burgers of America list. When it opened, its menu only offered nine items hamburgers, cheeseburgers, french fries, milkshakes, milk, root beer, orangeade, Coca Cola, and coffee. But Churchs Chicken does, along with other popular sides. With just 25 seats, the first restaurant was rather small. New technologies, such as refrigeration and microwaves, made it possible to cook food faster and more efficiently. Introduced to the United States market at the end of 1969, when the chain's first restaurant opened in Columbus, Ohio, Wendy's dominated the 1970s. April 19, 2023. Out west, it was In-N-Out Burger, the first location of which opened that same year in Baldwin Park, CA. So, where did people stop to get a quick bite nearly a century ago? These years also saw the advent of new technologies that allowed for the mass production and consumption of fast food on a scale never before seen. The popular fast food chain might not be your typical fast food joint, but it is seriously delicious, and convenient. advice every day. The restaurants offer unique, modern interiors and a specially curated menu. Burger Chef, much like McDonald's and Burger King, was obviously known for its burgers, but it might have burned too bright to last as long. Fast food chains began to spring up all over the country, offering convenient and affordable meals for busy families on the go. Fast food chains began to spring up all over the country, offering convenient and affordable meals for busy families on the go. Remembering the old Next Door Restaurant chain from the '70s, See these 40 vintage diners from the '40s (and try the blue-plate special!). Dont feel like goin out? every day. The Next Door concept designed by three Oklahoma City men was acquired during the first quarter of the fiscal period with the trio receiving a percentage of initial fees and royalty fees on franchises. But, it took a while for it to catch on. Besides Wichita, Next Door outlets will be in Atlanta, Georgia; Culver City, California; Des Moines, Iowa; Jacksonville, and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Louisville, Kentucky; Kansas City, Kansas, and Fort Worth, Texas. From the Pizza Hut International (PHI) Annual Reports, 1970-1973. But while the chain launched all the way back in 1958, it took a few decades for it to become the powerhouse it is today, and it's all because of one menu change. 1970s-1980s. Although McDonald's continued to dominate the fast food market financially, no chain earned the wide acclaim in the 1980s that Burger King enjoyed. WELCOME HOME, FISH & CHIPS (1970) Vintage ad from the Chula Vista Star-News (California) June 14, 1970 Arthur Treacher brings All-American dish back to its birthplace, No matter what your favorite chain is, pretty much everyone in the US, and many people abroad, have eaten fast food at some point in their life, and for good reason. Even after worldwide expansion, Chipotle continues to have a basic menu. Next Door was a concept restaurant chain from the early 1970s that was owned by, 14 retro hamburger recipes for some differently delicious dinners, Vintage McDonald's menus & food: See 5 decades of the famous fast food chain's history, Look back at these vintage Pizza Hut restaurants & foods from the '70s. White Castle Sliders. Who discovered fast food? Pictured, is the restaurant in 1996. Franchises are businesses that are owned and operated by individual entrepreneurs but use standardized branding and marketing materials provided by a larger parent company. McDonalds first opened its doors in 1940, serving hamburgers, fries, and shakes. On opposite coasts of America, two very successful chains were founded. Specifically, according to the Wendy's website, the fast food chain opened its 2,000th location that year, capping a decade when Wendy's was the most popular fast food joint in the country, according toInsider. Many customers are drawn to their hamburger buns, which are rumored to be sweeter and eggier than normal buns. } Taco Bell may be known for its Mexican-style food, but its founder, Glen William Bell, was entirely of European ancestry. This is what it looked like in 1955, complete with its old mascot, Speedee, a chef with a burger for a head. Californians also have a passion for their own products. Fast Food Restaurants Orders are placed by individual red telephones and food is served from a central counter. If you didn't already know the interesting history of KFC, then you might be pretty fascinated by how it all began. In the early 1970s, the company attempted to expand from its Mid-Atlantic base into the Midwest ; however, these locations only operated a short period. WebJohn C. Maxwell Jr., a food industry analyst, calls the 1970s the decade of the fast-food business and predicts excellent growth in the years ahead. And while DQ isn't a rival to its same-year peer, it's a successful and international brand in its own right. Drive-thrus quickly became a staple feature at most major fast food chains and helped to further fuel Americas love affair with these convenient eateries. For a long time, if you wanted Pizza Hut pizza, you had to eat at the restaurant. Eventually, Burger Chef went out of business, but before that, it was seriously impressive. Most Popular Fast Food Restaurant the Year You Were Born That includes adding mobile ordering, conveyor belt delivery systems, self-service kiosks, and even alcohol at some locations. Note: ClickAmericana.com features authentic historical information, and is not intended to represent current best practices on any topic, particularly with regard to health and safety, but also in terms of outdated cultural depictions and social values. 1970s restaurants: On-the-go Californians love their to-go fast food (1972) Recipes many spirited away from famous drive-ins and coffee shops for the hefty hamburgers, tacos, tostadas, hot dogs, dips and drinks that on-the-go Californians have made a I cant find anything on YouTube. Do you remember the old Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips fast food restaurants? WebThe growth of fast food operations in Britain A new generation of 'fast food' restaurants, whose numbers have been growing rapidly in London since the late 1970s, have begun to appear in towns and cities throughout Britain. One of the most popular fast food chains in the late 1960s and 1970s was one you might not have even heard of before. By 1960, there were already over 100 McDonald's locations in the United States. After all, they were everywhere, and they were known to be healthy and delicious (though today, there might be some doubts). Thats the growth you get with all-day access to caffeine! 1970s Fast Food Some of the most popular include Wendys, Taco Bell, KFC, Subway, and Dunkin Donuts. There arent many fast-food chains that offer fried okra! On opposite coasts of America, two very successful chains were founded. The first fast food chain was White Castle, which was founded in 1921. RELATED:20 McDonald's Secrets Employees Don't Want You to Know, Harland Sanders, AKA The Colonel, first started selling fried chicken to hungry motorists in the year 1930. Heres the most popular Chick-fil-A menu item right now. But in 1971, the one and only location opened in Seattle, Washington. Minute Man was the first fast-food restaurant to give a free glass to customers as part of a Coca-Cola promotion in the early 1970s. Gino's was a very popular fastfood restaurant back in the late 1960s and 1970s. ALSO SEE: Vintage Taco Bell restaurants & see what the Mexican fast-food chain used to serve, MORE: Burger King: The vintage fast food restaurant they once called delightfully different, ALSO SEE: Vintage KFC: About Colonel Sanders & the Kentucky Fried Chicken fast food chains history, MORE: Remembering the old Next Door Restaurant chain from the 70s, SEE MORE: Vintage Pizza Hut restaurants & food from the 70s, PS: If you liked this article, please share it! Or should we say a 'dog.' Another major player in the fast food industry during this time was Burger King. In fact, this venerable fast-food chain just passed its century mark, having been founded in 1921. In-N-Out Burgers first location was opened near Los Angeles in 1948, making it the first drive-thru hamburger stand in California. The brand began testing the renovated restaurants in 2014, and thousands of locations were updated over the following few years. The newly designed locations will place a bigger emphasis on curbside pickup and drive-thru orders, as well as offer more outdoor dining options. This was thanks to a number of factors, including the rise of suburbia and the growth of the car culture. The fast food history in america is a timeline that shows the fast food history of America. every day. Some booths are even roomy enough for a family of six to dine in comfort. According to Britannica, Subway actually became the biggest fast food chain restaurant in all of the United States in 2002. And 1980, in particular, was a big year for the establishment. Fast Food All Rights Reserved. Additionally, the 1950s was huge for McDonald's in terms of new menu offerings like milkshakes, and people flocked to the restaurants. Originally named Casa Del Taco, the Casa was dropped in 1973 and it became the Del Taco you know today. The Raffel Brothers opened the first Arby's restaurant in Boardman, Ohio in July of 1964. You can also get our free newsletter, follow us on Facebook & Pinterest. By the 1970s, McDonalds had thousands of locations across the United States and around the world. MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images/Getty Images. 1970s: Wendy's Shutterstock Introduced to the United States market at the end of 1969, when the chain's first restaurant opened in Columbus, Ohio, Wendy's dominated the 1970s. The Next Door Special is a quarter pound of ground chuck on a sesame seed bun, Suzy-O style French fries, and a fresh green tossed salad. Geris Hamburgers was an Illinois based fast food burger chain with glaring similarities to McDonalds. But in 1989, it was one of America's most popular fast food chains, and it really got people talking. Facebook It quickly became the country's favorite fast food restaurant, with Colonel Sanders perfecting his signature blend of 11 herbs and spices during that period. New safety features included meal trolleys and designated waiting decals to distance customers. He had been cooking fried chicken for decades already, having learned it as a child, but it would still be another decade until he hit on the famed "11 herbs and spices" we still know today. After increasing the size of his roadside eatery to a 142-seat restaurant in KFC in the 1930s, the chain grew exponentially into the 1940s. (What a deal!) } of a decade: 1970s restaurants Getty Images. Such words as colorful, unique, vivid and mobile certainly do apply, however: as many meals are eaten outdoors as in. Food is served from a central counter. That year, the first Sonic Drive-In was founded in Shawnee, Oklahoma. . Learn more:11 Secrets KFC Doesn't Want You to Know. Although there were few fast food restaurants to contend with at the time, McDonald's far outpaced the growth of its fellow chains. We recommend our users to update the browser. In 1950, Harmon Dobson had the idea to make a burger bigger than the competitors, so big, in fact, that when a customer saw it they'd say, "What a burger!" But when it first opened, it was a small operation. One of the most popular burger chains out there today is definitely In-N-Out, with its classic style, delicious burger offerings, and reasonable prices. Source: The pictures and information come from vintage Pizza Hut International annual reports from the 1970s. Gino's Hamburgers The company is also looking towards expanding its restaurants globally following the smash success of its new chicken sandwich. Dominos. The Whopper was 37 cents compared to Burger King's original burger, which cost 18 cents. Potato Crisps were another one of General Mills' signature crunchy snacks that dominated in the 1970s. Vintage McDonald's: See 5 decades of the famous fast food chain's retro restaurants, menus & history, Vintage Pizza Hut restaurants & food from the '70s, Sambo's Restaurants: The diner chain's story - and how it got that controversial name, Vintage KFC: About Colonel Sanders & the Kentucky Fried Chicken fast food chain's history, Burger King: The vintage fast food restaurant they once called 'delightfully different', Vintage Taco Bell restaurants & see what the Mexican fast-food chain used to serve, Howard Johnson's ice cream shops & restaurants: Good old days goodness from the '50s & '60s. According to Insider, the most popular fast food chain in 1990 wasn't even really a question, and it wasn't even food. Practically everything grows in this golden land or swims in its waters. Today, Burger Kingstill broils and flame-grills its burgers. Reference: what is the fast food industry. Just any place where wheeling Californians stop for a bite to eat and drink. Find out which fast food chain was most popular when you were growing up. The first Wuvs restaurant in Ohio opened May 12, 1979, at 1245 E. Tallmadge Ave. near Brittain Road in North Akron. But then Glen Bell realized there was an opportunity in the market for Mexican food, and started selling tacos for 19 cents. You could order The Snak, Subways original name for its 6-inch sandwich. The first Churchs Chicken (then named Churchs Fried Chicken To-Go) opened in Texas in 1952. Now that you know, have fun looking around! RELATED:7 Fast Food Logos With Hidden Messages. You know how you associate hot dogs with New York's Coney Island? According to the McDonald's website, the company now operates a total of 36,525 restaurants worldwide. Sure, Starbucks is on every corner now. 1953 was a big year for now venerable fast-food chains. Fast food operators claim to offer a new concept in catering and their outlets have a number of characteristic features.