Where Your 14 Favorite Fast-Food Chains Began

Where Your 14 Favorite Fast-Food Chains BeganThe fast-food industry in this country has a long and storied history. The founders of America’s biggest chains built mega-empires based on the pursuit of the American dream, and in the process changed the way that the world eats. But how did these chains first get off the ground?

Given the ways that fast food influences everything from American pop culture to politics to dietary trends, it’s fascinating to look back on the origins of the biggest players in the industry. One of the first fast-food chains to emerge was White Castle, founded by Bill Ingram in Wichita, Kan. in 1921; the design of the original White Castle was inspired by the Water Tower building in Chicago.

Restaurants come and go, but for one reason or another (usually a combination of quality product, smart marketing, and good luck) these 15 chains have firmly cemented their place in history.

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