Fast-food restaurants have been a part of American culture for years. Dating back to the 1950s, these restaurants have gone defunct. However, many will remember them for their tasty food.
Burger Chef was one of the biggest fast food chains in the United States. The chain was based out of Indiana and founded in 1954. ‘Burger Chef’ grew to 1050 locations throughout the 1970s.
At the height of its popularity, Burger Chef only had 100 fewer locations than McDonald’s. Eventually, Burger Chef was sold to Hardee’s in 1982, and most sites were converted into Hardee’s, leaving no Burger Chefs in America.
Minnie Pearl lent her name to ‘Minnie Pearl’s Chicken’ in the 1960s. There were over 500 locations until the Securities and Exchange Commission investigated the company leading to a shutdown.
Henry’s Burgers was another franchise that saw rapid growth in the ’50s and ’60s, selling 10 burgers for a buck. The fast food restaurant was founded in Chicago, Illinois, as a branch of Bresler’s Ice Cream Company.
Henry’s Burgers grew to 200 locations in the 1960s but faltered in the 70s due to a lack of a drive-thru. McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s began to dominate the fast food culture in America.
While these iconic fast-food restaurants no longer exist in America, they set the course for future franchises. Americans wanted fast and convenient food starting way back in the 1950s, and these franchises began a trend that continues today.
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