If you have never been to one of the following fast food chains, you may be surprised to learn that all of them are American and specialize in Western cuisine. The top fifteen chains offer sandwiches, pizza, burgers, shakes, and other items that are common in Western society. The list also includes a coffee chain (Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Baskin-Robbins) and ice cream chain (Popeyes).
Burger King
The Whopper, the company’s signature dish, was first served in 1957, when McDonald’s sold only small hamburgers. More recently, the company added hot dogs to its menu. In 2017, it began offering breakfast items and an expanded lunch menu. Despite its history as one of the world’s best fast food chains, the company has been under fire for its shoddy business practices.
The Burger King Corporation is an American multinational chain of fast food restaurants that specializes in flame-broiled hamburgers. Its headquarters are located in Miami, Florida. The company started as a small restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida, but soon expanded to other areas. As of September 30, 2016, Burger King had 16,859 locations in 100 countries. Of those, almost half are located in the United States. Almost all Burger King locations are privately owned.
The SuperSonic Double Cheeseburger used to be ranked ninth in our rankings, but it has been significantly improved since the last time we tasted it. In the interim, the burger chain has redesigned its menu and announced “incremental” improvements in the ingredients that it uses.
Shake Shack
Shake Shack is an American gourmet fast food restaurant. Its mission is to serve quality ingredients in a casual setting. It has done this by redefining what is considered fast food. Its menu is constantly changing and the food is always fresh and prepared to order. Its success has led to more locations opening around the world.
In addition to serving quality burgers, Shake Shack also strives to be a socially responsible business, which is what attracts millennial diners. The company offers environmentally friendly products and supports local communities. In short, it aims to be the anti-McDonald’s.
In 2011, Shake Shack had seven locations, but today, it has over 60 restaurants worldwide with close to 1,700 employees. In May, it spun off from USHG as a public company and debuted on the New York Stock Exchange. It has ambitious plans for growth and expansion and expects to open at least 10 new U.S. locations each year. In the near future, it could have as many as 450 Shake Shacks.
Shake Shack’s social media presence has led to a cult-like following among younger fast food consumers. Though it does not have the biggest Instagram audience, the brand’s followers and popularity is still significantly higher than its competitors. For comparison, McDonald’s sells nearly three hundred times more than Shake Shack. Meanwhile, Taco Bell sells approximately twenty times more than Shake Shack.
Popeyes
Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits is one of the most famous fast food restaurants in the world. Its chicken is renowned for its crispy skin and juicy interior. Since its humble beginnings in 1971 in a New Orleans suburb, Popeyes has expanded to over 500 locations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In fact, Anthony Bourdain once named the fried chicken joint his favorite.
The chicken sandwich at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is one of the most iconic dishes of all time. It revolutionized the fast food industry and left competitors scrambling. While other fast food chains continue to introduce their own chicken sandwich variations, only one has been able to top the original chicken sandwich.
Popeyes chicken sandwich is made with crispy chicken and a brioche bun. The buttery brioche bun gives the sandwich a sweeter flavor and makes it stand out. The sandwich costs around $3.99 at most Popeyes franchises. However, there are many other fast food restaurants that can compete with Popeyes.
Popeyes is a competitor to Chick-fil-A. In fact, many consumers prefer the Popeyes chicken sandwich over the chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A. The competition between the two fast food chains has been raging for years, but Popeyes has stood the test of time.
Sonic
Sonic was founded in 1953 in Seminole, Oklahoma. It has become one of the most successful fast food chains. Today, the company sells one in seven hot dogs in the US. Its customers can get a hot dog any time of the day. The menu also offers unique options.
The name of the Sonic fast food restaurant is derived from a slogan by the Top Hat restaurant chain. Although the first Sonic location was not named after the original Top Hat restaurant, the concept remains the same. This iconic brand has more than three thousand locations in 45 states.
Sonic is a fast food chain with both sit-down and drive-through options. Unlike most other fast food companies, Sonic allows customers to drive up to their drive-in stalls and order food and drinks. The food is then delivered directly to the vehicle. The drive-through option offers a limited menu, but the sit-down options allow customers to choose the foods and drinks they want without having to wait in a long line.
Pizza Hut
Founded in 1958, Pizza Hut has grown to become one of the most successful pizza delivery services in the world. The chain currently has over 6000 locations throughout the United States and 5139 in 93 countries. The company is owned by Yum! Brands, Inc., which also owns KFC and Taco Bell. In 2001, the company became the first company to deliver pizza to the International Space Station. Today, Pizza Hut employs over 140,000 people and generates $5.3 billion in annual sales in the United States alone.
The first Pizza Hut opened in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas. Brothers Dan and Frank Carney initially wanted to name their new restaurant “Pizza”, but decided to name it “Hut” because they had limited space on the sign. Later, the original store was moved to Wichita State University, where it serves as a museum.
The chain also introduced a new pizza in 2009 called “The Natural” – a healthy fast-food option that looks delicious. It also recently announced that it would cease using high-fructose corn syrup, artificial preservatives, and nitrites. This pizza featured a multi-grain crust, vineyard-ripened tomatoes, and rustic sausage.
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme is one of the most popular doughnut chains in the world, offering affordable coffee and classic glazed doughnuts. It is also a top ice-cream chain, offering an impressive variety of scoop flavors. DQ customers rave about its quality and value.
This fast food restaurant is a favorite for children and parents alike. The brand has been around for over eighty years, and continues to grow today. Its success is attributable to a mix of nostalgia and indulgence. The pandemic affected dietary habits, and the fast food industry performed best in the indulgence and nostalgia category.
The company has over 12,000 retail locations. The brand is best known for its signature glaze, which originated from a recipe from a New Orleans chef. Dunkin’ boasts that it sells 50 varieties of donuts. As of 2017, both brands have more than 12,000 stores worldwide.