Take a look at the humble beginnings of your favorite restaurants way before they became the big shots in the food industry. Enjoy!
1. A&W
Opened 1919 in Lodi, California

via 22 Words
2. White Castle
Opened 1921 in Wichita, Kansas

via 22 Words
3. Kentucky Fried Chicken
Opened 1930 in North Corbin, Kentucky

via 22 Words
4. Big Boy
Opened 1936 in Glendale, California

via 22 Words
5. McDonald’s
Opened 1937 in Monrovia, California

via 22 Words
6. Dairy Queen
Opened 1940 in Joliet, Illinois

via 22 Words
7. Dunkin’ Donuts
Opened 1950 in Quincy, Massachusetts

via 22 Words
8. Whataburger
Opened 1950 in Corpus Christi, Texas

via 22 Words
9. Jack in the Box
Opened 1951 in San Diego, California

via 22 Words
10. Church’s Chicken
Opened 1952 in San Antonio, Texas

via 22 Words
11. Pizza Hut
Opened 1958 in Wichita, Kansas

via 22 Words
12. Sonic
Opened 1953 in Shawnee, Oklahoma

via 22 Words
13. Burger King
Opened 1953 in Jacksonville, Florida

via 22 Words
14. Little Caesar’s
Opened 1959 in Garden City, Michigan

via 22 Words
15. Dominos
Opened 1960 in Ypsilanti, Michigan

via 22 Words
16. Hardee’s
Opened 1960 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina

via 22 Words
17. Taco Bell
Opened 1962 in Downey, California

via 22 Words
18. Arby’s
Opened 1964 in Youngstown, Ohio

via 22 Words
19. Blimpie
Opened 1964 in Hoboken, New Jersey

via 22 Words
20. Subway
Opened 1965 in Bridgeport, Connecticut

via 22 Words
21. Chick-fil-A
Opened 1967 in Atlanta, Georgia

via 22 Words
22. Long John Silver’s
Opened 1969 in Lexington, Kentucky

via 22 Words
23. Wendy’s
Opened 1969 in Columbus, Ohio

via 22 Words
24. Taco Cabana
Opened 1978 in San Antonio, Texas

via 22 Words
25. Panda Express
Opened 1983 in Glendale, California

via 22 Words
26. Papa John’s
Opened 1983 in Jeffersontown, Indiana

via 22 Words
“Founder John Schnatter first started the business by selling pizzas out of a broom closet in the back of his father’s tavern.”
27. Boston Market
Opened 1985 in Newton, Massachusetts

via 22 Words
28. Five Guys
Opened 1986 in Arlington County, Virginia

via 22 Words
29. Freebirds Burrito
Opened 1987 in Isla Vista, California

via 22 Words
30. Chipotle Mexican Grill
Opened 1993 in Denver, Colorado

via 22 Words
31. Shake Shack
Opened 2000 as a food cart in New York, New York

via 22 Words